Searching for Patience

The past couple of weeks have been trying. In all honesty, not having a solid plan for the fall has left me anxious and a bit blue. I want to be in the school where I will do the most good. I've prayed for God to "use me" to make a difference. That's all I've wanted all along. I can't not mention the incredible amount of support I've received during the ups and downs of job hunting, interviewing, and the emotional waiting game. My mom and boyfriend, Robert, as well as my colleagues and friends have been wonderful. I continue to be in awe of their own patience and perseverance. I was thinking to myself today, next year when I am faced with obstacles I can't yet fathom, I'll think back to these days and remember how badly I wanted this. It will surely put things in perspective.
 
On a lighter note, to rid myself of these "no job" blues, I've attempted to add a little color to the situation by busying myself with laminating, poster-making, and crafting for a classroom that will (hopefully) be mine soon. Enjoy! Oh, and no judging on the (lack of) artistic ability! :)

These birdies are part of my Carson-Dellosa theme. I painted and hot glued clothespins to
 the birds to feature student work.

Give Me Five Poster for Carpet

3-Star Sentence Poster for Writing (Thanks, Pinterest).

Out with the Old

I think teachers may be the only breed who levitate over planners - or it could just be me. A friend of mine gave me my first teacher planner when I went back to school and my obsession with Erin Condren products has only grown. Her line is incredibly colorful, to say the least. My first Erin Condren planner was attached to the hip and held up through graduate school, student teaching, and many sticky hands admiring the cover. I'm retiring it this month, but just don't have the heart to throw it out. I found all sorts of notes, Valentine's cards, and artwork tucked inside from past students. It's like a narrative of that big chapter in my life. Enough of the sentimental planner anecdotes. My brand new, and very clean, 2013-2014 Erin Condren teacher planner came in a couple weeks ago. I'm ridiculously excited (shocker).

My retired planner (left) and my new one (right)

Look at the colorful tabs! Squeee!

Nice, clean lesson planner all ready for the first week of school.

Erin Condren always includes the cutest personalized gift cards inside.

My Growing Classroom Collection

My classroom collection is really starting to grow!

Storage, storage, storage!

Classroom library

Many posters - all of which need to be laminated!

I'm a calendar nerd, and it goes without saying how in love with this I am.

I'm finally putting  my grad school binder in storage. This consisted of just papers and projects (student teaching not included). Whew!

4 inches!

What's Next?

For the past twenty years, school has been the primary focus of my life. As stressful as it was at times, there was always security in knowing what was coming next - next week, next month, next semester, etc. Now, as I sit here "prepared" with my recent Master of Education (K-6) degree, the question I've received hundreds of times from family, friends, and colleagues has been: "What's next?" Unsurprisingly, the next step is more school. However, this go-round will be a be a bit different, as I'll be the one at the front of the classroom.

Miss King (center) with two buddies from program

I'm a soon-to-be elementary school teacher in North Carolina. After just completing several interviews, I think I found "the" school in a rural area about 60 miles west of Raleigh - or, for all you Tar Heel fans, just 25 miles west of Chapel Hill. Go Heels! It is a quaint school with very apparent and abundant best practices. Nothing has been confirmed, but I'm hoping the end of the month will have some good news in store. Naturally, I am extremely anxious about my new role, which has only been intensified through this agonizing waiting period.

On the flip-side, the other part of me feels like a kid on Christmas. With every new book I add to my classroom library or colorful poster I buy, I can hardly wait to find out the grade I'll be teaching, decorate my room, and, of course, meet my awesome students. It's my hope to update this blog as regularly as possible during my first year (and hopefully, beyond) to reflect on my successes, learn from my flops, and maybe share some funny stories along the way.

To end my first entry, here's a list of my favorite quotes from my internship (4th/5th grade combination) and student teaching (kindergarten). I jot them down when they happen, because I know one day, I really will be able to write a book!

Quotes from Student Teaching:

"What have you learned in life?"
"Not to eat tacos before gym class!" - 5th grader

 "That's a pretty vase you added on top of your mantel in your drawing."
"Oh, that's not a vase. That's grandma." - 5th grader

"I know why the trees are shaking Miss. King. They're doing a happy dance and saying 'thank you' for the rain." - Kindergartener

"Who knows what kind of animals we are?"
"Camels!" - Kindergartener (mammals) 

"It was a really sad weekend. My daddy had to go on an airplane because his boss said so. I really miss him...but the good news is, WE GOT TO GO TO SHEETZ!!!!!" - Kindergartener

"Who can tell me name of this informational text feature?"
"An instagram!" - Kindergartener (diagram)

"I'm having a BRAINSTORM!!!" - Kindergartener

And my favorite...

"Miss King, you're a real teacher now!" - Kindergartener