2 Weeks Later

My classroom is [pretty much] DONE and ready for Open House! Tomorrow I will meet my students, and they will have a chance to scope out their new learning environment. I have made tons of progress, and through much anxiety have somehow arrived at this point. Now if only my lessons would plan themselves! School starts Monday! =)

Here is some visual evidence of my labors:

I Have a Classroom!

Here are some initial photos. Try to imagine it without the mess. I will have everything unpacked and organized soon enough (otherwise I'll go out of my mind). I also have to start putting up posters and working on bulletin boards, because the room is fairly devoid of color and warmth at the moment. Other than that, I love it, because I finally have a place to live out my dream of making a difference.

And So It Begins

I have officially survived my first 2 days of work! Unfortunately, I don't have tons of exciting stories to report yet. The Beginning Teacher Institute included mostly introductory speeches (learning about Loudoun County's ideals/goals and the mentor program), group discussions, breakout sessions with our fellow new teachers, and plenty of networking. It was nice to bond with other nervous newbies, especially those that will be at my school. The best thing that came from this first phase was a strong sense of community and support. This district makes it impossible for its educators (particularly new teachers) to feel alone or stranded. I am excited to start collaborating with my 4th grade team in the coming days, where I'm positive I will find even more support, outreach, and overwhelming kindness.

Tomorrow I finally get to start setting up my classroom! Stay tuned for photos.

Going for Gold

What better way to motivate my students (while celebrating the Olympic spirit) than to have Classroom Olympics! I've decided this is the perfect activity to kick off the school year, because it will bring them back into the learning mindset and will begin creating a strong classroom community. Here are some ideas for events:


-Speed Spelling (students race to spell words, one letter at a time, as a team)
-Math Meet (students solve math problems, aiming for quickness and accuracy)
-Trivia Trials (students compete to answer questions related to history and geography)
-Leaping Learners (students jump as far as they can, measuring the distance)

Please share any other ideas you may have! I've also thought about creating a bulletin board entitled "Learners Go For Gold," or something to that effect. I'll put the olympic rings up there, which will symbolize unity/teamwork in our classroom and working hard to reach our goals. We'll have a class discussion about what we want our long term goals to be for the school year, and these will be posted on the olympic board, allowing students to track their growth.


I'm getting excited (and nervous). I start new teacher orientations/training on Wednesday, August 8th. Almost time to get this party started!

Mr. Muppet

It's time to introduce my assistant to the blogging world! Meet Wordsworth. He will help motivate my students by bringing a bit more spunk to their learning, particularly when it comes to literacy. Wordsworth, named after the renowned British poet, loves to read and write and enjoys sharing this passion for words with all who surround him. Stay tuned for photos of Wordsworth's Word Wall and related activities, once I have access to my classroom.

"We have, within ourselves, enough to fill the present day with joy and overspread the future years with hope."  -William Wordsworth

Hi, I'm a teacher!

And so it begins! I have been working toward this moment for 7 years (18, if you go back to the age that I decided I wanted to be a teacher). I now have a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, A TEACHING JOB, and the constant support of amazing family and friends. I am truly the happiest I've ever been. I cannot wait to get in my classroom and meet my students. I've been through so many ups and downs over the past 6 years, and this is the point where I finally feel that my determination has paid off. In the words of Jason Derulo,


"No looking back, can't live that way right now
Yesterday's gone, I've found my way somehow
So I'ma get up and dance
Cause this might be my last chance
Like there's nobody around
Even gravity can't keep me down


Everybody get it started
I'm on top of the world, what a feeling
I'm undefeated
So I'll live today like it's my last one
There's no time for fear, you only live once"


I hope that my excitement is contagious and that my students will LOVE learning in my classroom. They better get ready to dance.