Life Changes

Big changes are ahead for me this year. I finished my Educational Specialist degree at the end of April. I turned 29 at the beginning of May. I wrapped up my 6th year of teaching at the end of May. 
In my last blog post about goals for the new year, goal 2 was about making a dream my reality. Well, I did it! In March, at the tail end of my spring break, I flew to Anchorage, Alaska, for a teaching job fair. I interviewed with several school districts, was offered a couple of options, and signed a contract for the coming year! At the beginning of August I will move to Hooper Bay, Alaska to teach 4th grade.
I'm equal parts excited and terrified. I've dreamed of Alaska for a few years now, and it's actually happening. I'm going to continue working in a profession I love, explore and travel more, challenge myself daily, and discover things about myself I never knew before. I'm also going to be moving across the country, 15+ travel hours away from my family, where I don't know anyone. I'm giving up most of the comforts I know (Starbucks, Target, reliable cell and internet service at the top of my list). I'm leaving behind a grade level dear to my heart.
I'm looking forward to my new adventure. I hope to have more time for things I enjoy, like blogging! If you want to follow along with my life in Alaska, check out my personal blog: Teaching in the Last Frontier.

Bring On 2018

It's been a solid year since I've blogged. So here we go!

Goal 1: Blogging Etc. I always let myself get pulled in a million directions and ignore this blog (and my TPT stuff in general). I want 2018 to be the year I finally make time for something I enjoy. I want to connect with teachers across the world who inspire me to constantly push myself for my little learners. I want to hopefully inspire teachers to do the same. 2018 will be the year I stop pushing this blog to the bottom of my to-do lists!
Goal 2: Dream to Reality There is one dream specifically I want to make a reality. It's a secret for now to the general public, but I cannot wait to (hopefully) share it with you in the coming months. Beyond that, I want to be more brave and take more leaps. I talk myself out of so many things, and it's time I start doing things that scare me. Maybe I'll take a solo mini vacation I've thought about so many times. Baby steps, right?
Goal 3: Self Care I, like so many teachers I know, ignore myself. I spent a week teaching this fall with ZERO voice. I totally should have stayed home at least for a day and not been so stubborn, but sub plans are something I avoid at ALL costs. I'm always too tired to have a life outside of work. I let 2017 headlines drag me down sometimes. It's easy to get bogged down in the bad in the world. This spring I'm finishing my Educational Specialist degree in Leadership. I have a research paper to finish and an internship to complete. Plus I went crazy and volunteered to do 6th grade math tutoring. Yes, this 2nd grade teacher will be spending 3 afternoons a week with her former students working on ratios! I have a gym membership wasting away without me. I will find time in my life for the gym. I will start doing yoga and meditation again to clear my head. I will drink more water. I will turn up my music and dance. I will log off the internet when it's too much and find ways to put some positive energy out in the world.
I feel quite optimistic about 2018. Something just feels different. Maybe it's the first supermoon of the year and the fact that I don't have to deal with how it affects my students so soon after a holiday :)
What are your goals for the year?

New Year Plans/Goals

2017 will be the year I figure out how to balance my life a bit better :)
The 2016-2017 school year provided me with LOTS of changes. My wonderful principal Ann Cook was named the Louisiana Elementary Principal of the Year and was promoted to a position with the district office in the following week. Our assistant principal was promoted to principal, leaving her former position open. Mrs. DeWitt chose my 2nd grade team leader, my mentor, as her assistant principal. I was suddenly the 2nd grade team leader with two new team members! I also took over as the 2nd grade IEP inclusion teacher and gained a full-time paraprofessional. I've learned so much this year, and am so thankful to have wonderful coworkers for support, encouragement, and inspiration.
With all my work changes, I also took the two hardest classes to date for my Educational Specialist degree. I absolutely loved my leadership class and gained so much insight, but the class required multiple weekly papers. All of my typing efforts went to those papers!
I am completely in love with my class this year. I have the sweetest students who keep me smiling each day. 
I was quite nervous about how ALL the changes would fall into place. Those close to me know that change (never mind that many changes!) sends me into a bit of a tailspin. This is my 5th year teaching--my "statistic year" as I call it. Many teachers leave the profession before they finish this year. If you had asked me in August, I was questioning if this was a sign.  I can now tell you, without a doubt, that this year is a definite sign. This is my sign that I am doing exactly what I'm meant to do. This year has brought me so much joy. I love teaching and thinking of new ways to reach my little learners' minds. 
I choose to make 2017 my year. This will be the year I find balance among teaching, working on my (final) degree, and blogging/TPTing. I will also make more time to take care of myself. Yesterday and today I got my hair done and had a pedicure for the first time since Back to School. That is just as unacceptable as not blogging for six months!
Best wishes to all of you for a fantastic 2017!

It's Been a While!

It has been SO long since I last blogged.  When I launched, I was about to start working on my Ed.S. degree and underestimated how much it would take out of me.  By Christmas, I felt ready to step up my blogging game.  After I got the semester started with both my students and my grad school classes, I started thinking of ideas.  Right about that time, North Louisiana got record breaking rainfall and my town began flooding.  My house would have been fine, but the flood gates were opened to relieve pressure on the overflowing rivers--flooding us instead!  It's been months of moving everything out, going through it all, and moving everything back in.  I always said I wished I were more of a minimalist.  I'm still not quite there, but I definitely have a new outlook on material things :)
Here's my plan:

1. Post my end of the year recap--what worked, didn't work, and what I'm planning in the future
2. A couple of posts on some summer sessions I'm presenting at a state conference
3. Eureka Math:  fluency, RTI, and assessment

I've missed out on a LOT of blog posts this semester.  I wasn't even reading them!  I'm looking forward to jumping back in to things and reconnecting with some bloggers.

January Currently

Happy New Year!  It's pretty hard to believe that it's 2016.  It's even harder to believe that we are somehow halfway through the school year!!   What better way to start the new year off than with a Currently post hosted by the fabulous Farley?!   Listening to my iPod on shuffle:  I've got commitment issues with picking one genre in the new year.  My musical taste is all over the place right now.  I've just listened to a pop song, followed by some R&B, then a bit of Sinatra, and some Fleetwood Mac.  This is exactly why I have to make playlists for road trips with friends.  They laugh at my main listing :)   Loving feeling refreshed:  This might be the most refreshed and chilled out I've ever felt coming off of winter holidays.  I'll likely regret it tonight and tomorrow (Planning Sunday anyone??) but it has been SO lovely to just lounge, sleep in, get in a few good workouts, and not think about benchmark scores and educational politics.   Thinking about how crazy January will be:  We go back to school Monday for a full week, and the nine week grading period ends Friday.  The following Thursday we have parent conferences so Friday is a professional development 1/2 day for staff.  Then another 4 day week for students for MLK the next Monday.  I don't enjoy trying to squeeze 4 days of instruction in to 3, and I really don't like giving all those tests in one big, long, painful day!   Wanting a "work day" on Monday:  With all that fuss about a couple of 4 day weeks, I must say that I'm quite jealous of all of you who get a work day on Monday.  That makes SO much sense.  I want one!  Just imagine all the things I could get accomplished!   Needing to finish my semester outline:  I like to make a rough outline of each semester.  I do one for fall and one for spring.  It's time for the spring one, but every time I sit down to work on it a certain 18-year-old cat comes to sit in my lap.  I'm actually typing this with her in my lap now.  We will enjoy this last night of lap cuddles before there is no more time for lazy fun :)   One little word--optimistic:  I don't know that I've ever felt this excited for a new year.  I just feel like this will be a good year.  Hopefully I'll confirm this feeling after the full 366 days.  Yay leap years!

November Currently

It's Currently time again!  I'm always so optimistic for the 1st of the month.  

  Listening:  Sunday planning equals multitasking.  I work while half-watching but mostly just listening to TV shows from my DVR.   Loving:  I love fall/winter seasons.  I get to have a lot of fun in my classroom.  People are generally nicer to each other.  It's great :)   Thinking:  I'm working on my Educational Specialist degree.  I may not make it!  This year I've started working out regularly, doing these classes, philanthropy commitments...all on top of my usual teacher work.  I understand just how much of an impact sleep deprivation has on a person :)   Wanting:  I believe I was wanting cold weather last month.  Louisiana never gave it to me :(  All my scarves are still waiting for me!!   Needing:  We have next Wednesday off for Veterans' Day, but I'm SO ready for Thanksgiving break.  I need a few days to just exist, catch up on some sleep, truly enjoy my DVR shows, and remember that I'm a person outside of teaching!   Yummy:  I live for salted caramel mocha season at Starbucks.  I don't understand the PSL obsession AT. ALL.  SCMs, however, are what I wish for all year long.  Top it off with the fact that it's now red cup season, and I'm golden!

Sunday Scoop

I lovingly refer to Sundays as "Panic Sunday" and have recently discovered multiple linkys about how teachers from all over use this day to plan and prep.  I'm jumping in with The Sunday Scoop, hosted by The Teaching Trio.  This makes it seem more fun than it truly is :)

 

  3 things I have to do:  Obviously, I need to make sure I have all my notebooks and whatnot ready for the week ahead.  I've got to make my homework sheet as well.  I'm meeting with a team of 2nd grade teachers from the other local school board Tuesday after school to talk about RTI.  I'm beginning to realize that with my new small group table instead of a desk, I really enjoy that time with my students!  I also need to get all of my October centers ready to go.  I'm finally color printing and laminating everything so it's permanently good to go!   2 things I hope to do:  I had just about finished labeling all my books from September's Scholastic Book Club order when it was time for a local book sale this weekend.  My little learners will flip out when they realize I have an additional 100 or so books to add in.  My name is Brittany, and I have a book addiction!  I also really want to finish my Junior League grant application this week so I'm not rushing around next week to turn it in.  I'm hoping to get some literacy resources for interventions, including a listening center!   1 think I'm happy to do:  I got a Switch Witch for my classroom this year.  I'm not sure who is having more fun with it!  I like to be a bit organized with it (and my Elf on a Shelf) so I don't forget to move it around or do something twice.  These plans also come in handy so I don't forget to buy something critical to whatever activity I have planned!  I really love the magic of fall/winter holidays :)

October Currently

It's Currently time!  Farley has done it again--a super cute graphic to summarize my life.   For real, October is my absolute favorite month.  It means fall weather is finally coming to Louisiana, fall drinks are officially allowed, the best scented things are here, and I can watch Hocus Pocus a million times without feeling guilty :)   

  Listening:  I love a great beat for background noise while I work.  Both of these songs fit the bill!   Loving:  FALL.  Spiced everything, salted caramel mochas, apple cider, cool weather, beautiful nature colorings, cool weather.  It's such a rewarding season after surviving an oppressive Louisiana summer!!    Thinking:  My kids lost their minds today when they saw my decorated classroom and got an email from our visitor :)  A note about the Switch Witch (Winifred Cromwell):  I got multiple weird looks at my pure excitement over finding a Halloween equal to Elf on a Shelf!    Wanting:  A couple of guilty pleasures have premiered, and I'm ready for a few more.  I suppose I should finish the remainder of my DVR episodes from last year.  I spent some much needed summer time sleeping, even though I don't feel like I've slept in months.   Needing:  I love scarves.  I have a bit of an addiction.  It's time to pull the (rather large) storage container out and start putting some accessories in rotation.   Boo-tiful:  I cannot leave the house without mascara.  I don't care if it's the only thing I've got on my face, but it must be there!  Lip tints are fantastic because I'm not worried about reapplying during the day.  I'm lucky to get bathroom breaks, people.  I certainly don't have time to worry about how I'm looking!   I'm off to find my scarves.  I've met my exclamation mark quota for the night :)

September Currently

I'm a few days late with this one.  Back to school has felt a bit crazier than usual this year!   It's time once again for this month's Currently post.  I'm linking up with Oh Boy 4th Grade to bring you a bit about what's going on with me right now.  

  Listening to "Wildest Dreams": I've had this song on repeat for days now.  It also doesn't hurt that Miss Swift included Scott Eastwood as her leading man in the video!   Loving my new small group table: I took the leap and got rid of my desk this year.  We are starting with small groups Tuesday when we get back from the long weekend.  It was a big bigger than I expected when the box came in, but it's really inspired me to do some great things with interventions this year.   Thinking about how excited I am for all things fall: Fall and winter are my favorite seasons.  I love the cooler weather, fall smells, fall drinks, snuggling under blankets, warm fires, etc.  My countdown to the first day of fall has begun, even though I know it won't actually feel like it for a while longer!   Wanting construction at school to move quickly: We are getting upgraded bathrooms at my school.  They were only able to finish the Pre-K/K bathrooms attached to the rooms and one of the main ones over the summer.  Now that they are demolishing the other two large ones (including the one RIGHT across from my classroom--ugh!!), we've got 500-600 students all using the same one.  It's been slightly chaotic figuring out a master schedule so we aren't all trying to use it at once.   Needing more hours in the day: So not only am I teaching and volunteering with my church council, but now I'm also trying to really kickstart my TPT store.  Oh yeah, there's that bit about starting on my Ed. Specialist degree this semester.  Because I had SOOO much free time before, I just needed one more thing to do :)   3 goals: 1. I really love the #happyclassrooms movement on social media.  It's about time we band together to show everyone the million positive things happening every single day in our rooms. 2. Somewhere in between needing more hours in the day, I need to make time for ME.  Teachers are really bad about taking care of ourselves, so I want to make it more of a priority. 3. August was my best month to date in TPT.  It really gave me the motivation I needed to really work on building my brand and making quality products.

Classroom Reveal 2015

I'm linking up with Ashley and Angie for #2getherwearebetter and talking about classroom reveals this month.  We've been in school for 2 weeks now, and it's been SO hard not to share these sooner!!  

  Welcome to my 2nd grade room!!   I'm going clockwise around my room, starting at the front board.

View from my door.  I have 26 students this year.  Side note:  my desks are now in a 'U' shape.

This is my front board:  daily schedule, genius ladder, clip chart, table rewards, and behavior bingo.

This is my computer area for my SMART Board. You can also see my AR progress chart and reading buddies.

My intervention bookshelf.  Left side is math, right is reading.

My teacher area in the back.  I like it cold, so I keep a few extra jackets handy.  The books on this shelf are for my read-alouds.

 

 

I got rid of my desk for a small group table this year!  My word wall is now rainbow colored to match the Dolch levels.

 

I have 2 desktop computers, 5 laptops, and 4 iPads.  Seriously awesome!  Please ignore the giant Epson box--new SMART projector they still have to install.



Phonics poster, math word wall, Super Improver wall, Journeys focus board, counting to 100 days and testing vocabulary.

 

Quite possibly my favorite part of my room:  my classroom library!  I may be addicted :)

My student center is on the bookshelf.  I have my brag board (ready for all the notes/drawings I get!) and a cork board map for our postcard exchange.

I hope you've enjoyed the picture tour, and I can't wait to see some other reveals!