The Dawn of a New School Year

A new school year is upon us! I have a new crop of bright eyed, inquisitive kindergarten students ready to learn!  I'm very excited about the upcoming school year.  This school year I will try my best to provide updates at least once a week.

Ok, now I get it!

I think I'm starting to get the hang of this teaching thing.  Seriously! This is my third year of teaching, and the first year that I've actually enjoyed it! The first two years of my teaching career were horrible!  So much so that I was even contemplating leaving the field of education and going back into the business or non-profit sector.  Shocking, I know.

I was having a conversation with my mentor, who just happens to be THE best mentor ever, and she asked me what's different this year. I realize that several factors come into play...  I'm in a different district that has basically started fresh after losing state accreditation, which isn't necessarily a bad thing because sometimes a fresh start is needed.  Another factor that comes into play is that I'm at a smaller school with a more supportive administrator.  Teaching is a tough job, and it's even tougher when you lack support and motivation. The final factor is that I have kindergarten.  I realize that my niche is working with younger children from infancy until the age of 6.  Not everyone has that gift to work with very young children, but I have it, and every day I'm thankful for it.  I'm a firm believer in using your God-given talents and not operating outside of your gifts, so I consider it a blessing to be able to get up and go to a job that I love.  Even on those days when it seems like my class will never stop talking, when they call my name a million times, keep asking to go "use it" after we had a restroom break  10 minutes prior!

One down, three to go!

The first grading period is history!  Parent-teacher conferences went well and I was pleased that all but 2 of my parents showed up for conferences!  I'm really getting the hang of things now so my next goal is to start working with students in small groups during center time.  I'm rather proud of the fact that I have been consistent with my students having center time every day!  That's no small feat if I do say so myself.

You are so beautiful to me...

Wednesdays are always a bit wacky because the students come to school an hour later and the schedule is different, but today was just a little more wackier than usual.  I attribute it to the fact that there's a full moon, it was cold and raining cats, dogs, mice, and cheese, and we've been assessing all week so we're a little off our routine and the kiddos are tired.

Well today I decided to give my jelly beans (that's what I fondly call them) a break from their grueling schedule and let them enjoy center activities.  I always look forward to center time because it allows me to observe them without them being aware of it.  Of course, comedy always ensues and today was no different.

Whilst playing with the connecting cubes a student was singing a song.  At first I paid it no mind then as I tuned in to what he was actually singing... "You're everything I hoped for, you're everything that I need..."  LOL Yes, he was singing love song made popular in the 70s.  I just had to ask, "Where did you learn that song?"   He happily responded "From the Little Rascals!"  Ha!  I was thinking this kids was a fan of 70s music!  He continued playing and crooning away and I chuckled and smiled.  Moments like this is what makes me enjoy teaching kindergarten. :-)

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

I always say I did not choose education as a career, education chose me. Better yet, God chose me.  I have come to the realization that education is my calling!  It's in my DNA!  Pretty much everyone on my maternal side of the family were educators.  That includes both grandparents, my mom, aunt, and several cousins.

My vision is that this blog will serve as a place for my musings as I embark upon my first year of teaching kindergarten. I invite you to accompany me on this journey, shall we?