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