Reconnecting and Refreshment

What a great weekend.

It has been full of reconnecting with friends. Funny how you can live so close to people, yet never see them or find common opportunities to connect.

Saturday morning was breakfast with Alissa (have I said how much I love going out for breakfast....not the getting up part but I love having a hearty meal first thing in the morning that I didn't have to prepare!) First off- Alissa looks awesome!!! We had a good time visiting and catching up. I love time with Alissa because she is so real and accepts me as is- and encouraging! We then did a little discount shopping- another fav.

Sunday- after church I visited with Bethany- another friend who is real and also loves the Lord. She is leaving in 1 week to go to Tanzania for 3 mths. Awesome adventure. So excited for her journey.

Sunday night the "gang" took Nat out to celebrate his impending departure to Turkey on next Monday. We had a delicious Indian meal- so scrumptious. We sat outside enjoying the cool crisp air and lots of conversation and laughter. Nat is a fantastic friend who I respect and admire. He and his brother (and family) are just a few of my true favorite people. After we had dessert at Friendly's where our poor waitress was not having a good night- she totally forgot to bring Bill his ice cream. Poor guy. Again, more laughter and conversation. Alicia, Matt and Rebecca joined us and always add to the atmosphere. I love how I can always just pick up with these friends.

This morning- we enjoyed our annual Labor Day breakfast. About 40 people from church gather for breakfast before heading to their Labor Day festivities- namely the Woodstock Fair. Meredith was able to join us and as always brings her unique perspective. I do love all my friends- we are all so different. We've said so many times that we probably wouldn't have chosen to be friends but because we were thrown together at church our relationships developed. But, I think in the end, we've learned to appreciate the differences and tolerate the unique flavors we all bring to the pie. I can be myself with them and I value our time together.

As we grow older- the time and space between visits grows farther and farther apart. This is the part I hate. Turkey, New Hampshire, Virginia, Tanzania, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania- I don't mind my friends being there....I just wish all these locations were where Rhode Island is.

Harry Wong is my hero!

Harry Wong! Have you heard of this man? He is my guru- my sensei
When I first started teaching I got this book called ,"The first days of school" I might have looked at it- but I don't remember. Now, my classes weren't out of control- but this Wong guy knows what he is talking about. I implemented his strategies/procedures day one- and it has been a breeze. My kids enter my classroom quietly and immediately do what I instructed them to do day one. They do it even when I'm not in the classroom. Amazing! My goal is to finish reading the book over the LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGGG weekend. Another reason I love teaching.

I've always loved teaching. I enjoy the atmosphere, my colleagues, the students, the energy. I just hate the grading. It's not a paperwork thing- I like paperwork, administrative paperwork that is. But not the read a zillion essays over and over again. And then having to come up with a fair grade. It is not as easy as it seems.

So- this was my first week back at school. I have enjoyed myself immensely. The days have flown by- partly due to a great schedule, partly due to great classes and partly due to the fact that I love what I'm doing. The day is very busy between tracking down staff and kids- getting assignments and helping students complete them. But when the day is done, the day is done. I have had a few late nights this week at work and at home- typing up IEP info on each student that I case manage. But once it's done, it's done. Now, come spring and I have to do Trinnials and Annual evaluations- it may be a different story.

My kids are great- some are troubled but most just want to be loved and have someone care. This week we have focused on organization- drilling into their tiny heads about the necessity of an assignment notebook. They are all doing pretty well with it.

I love my department- we've been supportive of one another, giving smiles and encouragement this week! My department head is great- strong but great.

So, this weekend will be an easy one for me. No grading- just a wee bit of prep for next week. I do have a few major PPT's on Friday which should be full of the exciting and perhaps a bit of the dangerous. We'll see. It's the Fair weekend- with forecasts of rain so that may put a damper on activities. But, I have a breakfast date in the morning with my pal Alissa- Alicia and Matt are coming in Sat. night so we will have a good time. Monday morning is our annual Labor Day breakfast which I always enjoy. I may just head to the fair- I haven't decided yet.

Hope you all are enjoying your days as much as I am.
~ Love to you all ~

First Day...

Tomorrow is my first day of school with my students.
Pray for me.....granted you'll probably read this after the fact- but pray I sleep well tonight.
And, that I survive the day.
I'll let you know how it all goes!

Yippeeeeeeeeeee!

I have my own classroom- my very own classroom. If I hadn't been surrounded by colleagues I would have done a very odd happy dance. But I contained myself.
Not only do I have my own room- it's a brand new room!!! 3 White boards, 3 bulletin Boards, an over abundance of shelves and a closet. Granted, it is a bit smaller than most classrooms- but it's all mine. I still can't get over it- and I'm afraid that someone will wake up and say "Hey- why does that girl have her own room....let's take it away!" I don't have a desk yet- and the shelves aren't actually usable yet- but when it's ready it will be great. I put up some welcome posters today and it felt good.

We finally were able to get into the high school today- the new rooms/changes are incredible. So modern and spacious. There is still so much that has to be done for Monday- but the students will be pretty impressed with the changes (well, many won't care!).

My brain is overwhelmed with all the Special Ed stuff I have to think about. This ain't no walk in the park. I got my case load today- 12 kids. Not bad. I have to read over their IEP's this weekend. And- I need to plan my Academic support class and reading skills class.

Thanks to so many who have been praying for me- keep doing so! It is going to be a wild ride for the next few weeks!