A Thankful List

Are you familiar with HuffPost Good News? As it says on their Facebook page, HuffPost is "a section from the editors of The Huffington Post that [shines] a much-needed spotlight on what's inspiring, what's positive, what's working." I recommend you check it out; it's certainly way more uplifting than the 5:00 News.

At any rate, I read an article on HuffPost the other day about how to start your day off on a positive note. As opposed to hitting the snooze button 7 times or worrying about what awaits you at the office, it suggested that you begin your day by thinking about what you are thankful for.

I liked the idea. Simple, but I could see how it could quickly have a profound positive impact on one's outlook. So on Tuesday morning, when Justin Timberlake's "Suit and Tie" stirred me from my slumber (Is there a better way to start the day?), I rubbed my eyes, grabbed my phone, fired up the Notes app, and just started listing all the things I am thankful for. Here is what came to mind:

family

friends

sunshine
my warm bed
music
travel
Louisville
my condo
cheeseburgers
my iPhone
health
my team
my sense of humor
Coke
my independence
sleep
chocolate
my car

I could have gone on, but it was time to get ready for work, and besides, I felt like I'd hit the highlights. I listed them in no particular order, though I find it hilarious (and par for the course) that "cheeseburgers" came to my mind before "health". Also, I'd like to note that I have a love/hate relationship with Coke, in that I hate that I love it so much. 

Anyways, I think this is a practice I'd like to keep up. Reflecting about what I'm thankful for everyday, not just on Thanksgiving, seems like the best way to start, and for that matter, end my day. 

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and I want you to know how thankful I am to you for reading my little blog! In fact, I'll be sure to add that to my next list.

8 Random Things

So have you all seen the "[Insert number here] Things About Me" on Facebook? I had seen several of my friends post lists like these over the past week, but didn't know what it was all about. Then I saw that my friend Jenny had posted one, and after it made me laugh out loud, I "liked" it. A few minutes later, she told me I had the number 8. 
Ah, now I see how this works.

Well, I'm certainly not one to pass up a writing opportunity. Here's what I came up with:

1. I love solitude, but hate to go places by myself.
2. I find out what is going on in the world from Twitter & Late Night with Jimmy Fallon because I think the real news is too depressing.
3. I have never eaten a salad. In fact, anyone who says they like lettuce is questionable to me.
4. I despise when people try to tell me what to do.
5. I'm pretty sure my computer and phone both hate me for the amount of music & photos I have on them. 
6. I am an extrovert, but I turn into the queen of awkwardness around any guy I deem cute.
7. I tend to think of funny things whenever it's silent and I'm not supposed to laugh, causing my shoulders to shake uncontrollably, which inevitably makes me laugh even more.
8. I am happiest when my immediate family is all together.

A random list, a fun exercise. Go ahead and give it a shot. You have my permission to write as many things as you want.

Teaching Is...

Today I came across a blogpost called "The Hardest Job Everyone Thinks They Can Do" by Dennis Hong. Before I even read it, I knew it was about teaching. After I read it, I thought, this guy gets it. 

Considering I've spent this entire rainy Sunday in my sweatpants, still recovering from 2 weeks of conferences and report cards, I needed to read this today.

Teacher or not, I suggest you read the entire piece. These are the lines that really resonated with me:

"Teaching is understanding how the human brain processes information and preparing lessons with this understanding in mind.

Teaching is simultaneously instilling in a child the belief that she can accomplish anything she wants while admonishing her for producing shoddy work.

Teaching is offering a sympathetic ear while maintaining a stern voice.

Teaching is being both a role model and a mentor to someone who may have neither at home, and may not be looking for either.

You can’t measure inspiration by a child’s test scores. You can’t measure inspiration by a child’s grades. You measure inspiration 25 years later when that hot-shot doctor, or lawyer, or entrepreneur thanks her fourth-grade teacher for having faith in her and encouraging her to pursue her dreams."

Amen!

And don't even get me started on test scores. 

It's late, and I need to get to bed so that I can get up at 5:45 and get ready to inspire my students.

Friday Photos 32: Falling for Fall Break

After a brief hiatus, Friday Photos are back, just in time to celebrate my love for everything Fall Break. Beginning last Friday, this Fall Break has been a relaxing reminder of the sweet freedom of Summer. I managed to use my freedom wisely, by cleaning out three bags of clothes & shoes to donate, clearing off months of mail to reveal the top of my dining room table, and transferring 15 years of CDs from their cases to one tidy binder.
In addition to vacuuming my floors for the first time in an I'm-too-embarrassed-to-actually-admit-it amount of time, I also managed to squeeze in a lil' bit of fun this week. I give you exhibits A-H:

Cheers to Fall Break, Courtney's birthday, taquitos, and low tolerance levels at Mussel & Burger Bar!

I actually got to do brunch & lunch (like other working adults), including this trip to Wild Eggs with my precious niece.

Courtney and I went for a stroll at the Anchorage Loop, which turned out to be a deer-watching walk. Shh! Bambi's trying to eat.

I met the fam over at little sis' new house to help hang blinds, and by "hang blinds" I mean "take pictures of my adorable McNugget".

I'm still not completely over the loss that the Cards suffered to UCF, but Ruthie and I had fun anyway. And boy did I own that Snuggie.

Clearly, the goal was to soak up as much McNugget time as possible. Mission accomplished. 

She's getting so big! Climbing up stairs & going down the slides like a boss.

I considered going to St. Louis to catch game 3 of the World Series, but after peeping the price tag for tickets on Stub Hub, I decided cheering the Cardinals on from the comfort of my couch would do just fine. Beat Boston!

After years of eyeing a mirrored nightstand at Pottery Barn, I thanked my lucky stars above that I waited so long to buy it when Mom and I came upon this beauty at Home Goods. Not only is it a more modern take on the piece I originally wanted, it was also $250 cheaper. Score.

Dear Fall Break,

Thank you for saving my sanity. I love you. Come back soon.

Sincerely, 

Jackie

The Write Stuff

Though I've always felt called to be a teacher, it's no secret that I'd also love to be a writer. Recently, I was fortunate enough to be able to bring the two vocations together.

Back in May, I saw an advertisement via the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Facebook page for an opportunity to submit an article to Educational Horizons Magazine. They were looking for topics that pertain to new teachers for their "Teacher's Toolkit" spread. 

So, just for the fun of it (nerd alert), I wrote an article focused on ways to connect with students' families--a topic I wish I would have had more information on when I was a new teacher. My friends Ruthie and Joey (who are both great teachers & writers themselves) graciously proofread my little article, and with their votes of confidence, I sent it off, and headed to the lake to officially kick off summer break.

Fast forward to July when I got word from the editor of Educational Horizons that they wanted to publish my article in their October/November issue! Confetti! 

But the celebrating didn't end there. A few weeks later, their editor contacted me with a (paid) opportunity to host a webinar related to the topic of my article, sponsored by the magazine. So, I thought about it for a fraction of a second, and then said YES.

Now, I'm not gonna lie, after the initial excitement died down, I did freak out a little bit. The thought of teachers from all across the country listening to me speak was a tad intimidating to say the least. But my friends and coworkers hyped me up with their encouraging words, and on September 25th, I lead my very first webinar. Despite my nerves, I think it went well. 

You can find a recording of my webinar, "Connecting With Families" under Past Webinars here: http://pilambda.org/benefits/webinars/

This weekend I was delighted to open my mailbox and find the October/November issue of Educational Horizons with my article published inside!

You can read my article online for free until the end of October here: http://pilambda.org/horizons/connecting-with-families/

I'm so grateful to Educational Horizons for giving me my first chance to have my writing printed in a national publication, and to lead my very first webinar. I'm also so appreciative of the support from my family and friends along the way. 

Here's hoping this is the first of many writing opportunities to come.

Um, Where Did August Go?

Seriously, y'all. Where did it go?

The answer is, I'm a teacher.

We started school August 13th. And then I blinked. Now it's September 14th. I think that pretty much sums it up.

Which would also explain why I haven't blogged since August 9th. Sad times.

I'm happy to report that this is the first weekend that I didn't bring any school work home with me. Notice I didn't say, "that I didn't need to bring any school work home with me," but that I just didn't. This teacher is exhausted to say the least, but can't blame it all on work.

Let me give you the run-down:
-A new school year began
-I took one last swim in the pool
-I celebrated with my friend, Erin for her daughter's first birthday
-We discovered that my niece is obsessed with eating corn on the cob
-Jenny and I celebrated/freaked out because *NSYNC reunited for the first time in 11 years at the VMAs 
-I helped Ruthie & Richard move into their new, gorgeous home
-I celebrated my 32nd birthday, receiving a drink from a secret admirer in the restaurant (who still remains unknown)
-I celebrated my birthday again, and then another time, and then again after that (and maybe some other times too)
-I babysat/chased my niece all over the house because she's now walking everywhere
-I realized my life-long dream of being a Louisville Football season ticket holder and have spent the past two weekends cheering on the Cards (wearing the most precious Cardinal hairpins you've ever seen)
-I sold my car
-And then I bought a new car (the first new car I've ever owned, mind you)
-I celebrated my sister's engagement & new home purchase while cheering on the Cards against the Cats (the Cards won by the way)
-I finally sat down for the first time in a month and wrote this post

And if you need some visuals...

Here's hoping I can savor what's left of September, and also actually have some time to devote to my precious little blog before I blink again and it's Halloween.

Friday Photos 31: My Classroom Under the Sea

To begin my 11th year of teaching, I decided to finally get a theme going in my classroom. Usually it just looks like a rainbow exploded, and while it's still very (I can't help it) colorful, it's also focused on the ocean. 

My classroom library has always been decorated like a beach ('cause who doesn't love reading with their toes in the sand?), but this year I added the fishing net with sea life to the ceiling.

A few years ago, a group of my students' parents decorated and donated an adorable "Polar Express" desk for my classroom. But after some wear & tear over the years, it was in need of a boost. I decided to redecorate it with the ocean theme in mind. A little decoupage & hot glue later...

I also extended the theme out into the hallway with this bulletin board:

More pictures to come as I add sand dollars and starfish aplenty. Here's hoping the school year goes "swimmingly"!

UPDATE: So the ocean theme has gotten a little deeper (see what I did there?). For our class jobs, I made a "Dollars for Dollars" display with sand dollars that have the positions written on them. 

I also found some really inexpensive, cute, blue fish curtains on Amazon to give the room even more of an under-the-sea feeling.

I bought some ocean creature party favors to hang from the ceiling for our table numbers (I also bought some address number stickers from Home Depot to put on them). 

Our word wall letters have fish for the consonants and starfish for the vowels, which I found at our local Parent Teacher Store.

At Open House, I asked parents to write a "fish wish" note for the first day of school and had those sitting on the students' tables when they arrived in the morning.

So basically, I'm loving the ocean theme. I'd eventually like to order a large area rug that fits with it as well. I also saw an adorable "Reader's Reef" reading strategy board on Pinterest that might have to make its way into my room one day. But for now, I have to say we're floating along pretty well.