So, this is my first. Blog. EVER. I have been meaning to do this for weeks now. Ever since the # iDesign 2014 training I had about blogging. (Trying to find a new home and day care, then relocating and unpacking kind of had all of my attention for a while.) Thanks @gcouros for the awesome inspiration that you gave me to do this. Not to mention fellow #RJLyear1 teacher bloggers.
I am excited about using this blog to help me grow and reflect as an educator. I've taught for 6 years, but I am always open to learn and try new things.
After reading fellow teacher and blogger, Cassie Knight's blog post about goals, I realized that this is a very good idea indeed.
So, here goes:
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| Click on images to go to sites where I got the images from. |
- Prioritize. I've been known to have a lot of things going at once, and then I just look around and wonder, "What do I do now?" with a complete mess surrounding me. Make a to-do list. Stick to it and know that not everything needs to get done today. (Yes Aaron (my husband) I know you say this ALL the time. For once, I think I'll try listening to you.) This is something I REALLY need to work on. Anyone who knows me knows this. If you see me getting swamped and stressed, please remind me to do this!
- Reflect daily. If an activity we do in class is very successful with students fully engaged, motivated, and self-directed, then I need to write about it and share it! Or if I learn something that knocks my socks off in professional development, then share share share it! If I need help tweaking an idea or need feedback, I should write about it and see what others think.
3. Exercise. For fun. For fitness. To help de-stress. Be consistent and make always make time for it. I tend to get caught up in what I need to do for work or at home, and then I make excuses that I'm just too tired to do anything. But if I would just give exercise half a chance, it ALWAYS makes me feel better. (Between you and me, I think I'll need to refer to this bullet quite often. Especially in the midst of an excuse.) (Once again, Aaron, I will listen to you more in this department too. I'm sure you are smiling right now.)
4. Enjoy the great outdoors with my family. I love my new neighborhood, city of Carrollton, and nearby parks and trails. I just want to discover all there is to discover about our new area. There is always something interesting and educational (for my little girl) here. I also like connecting nature to the classroom. The math teacher in me wants to ask my future students, what math related things can they see in the picture below? My little girl LOVES this park by the way!
5. Build strong & long-lasting relationships with my RJL staff and students. I'm so excited to get to know each and everyone of my team, house, and school mates! I can't wait to learn from you all. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming :) I love my new job and school! I'm also super excited about meeting my new students!! I LOVE school! Am I a dork or what?
I have a memory from when I was in Kindergarten. I lived a block away from my school. We used to pass by the school in the early morning (5 am) to take my dad to work. I would always beg Mommy to PLEASE let me go to school at that time. "Why doesn't school start now Mommy? Why can't I go early?" I loved it with a passion then, and I still do.
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| My 1st day of 1st grade! (old pic I know) |
I want to instill this passion for school and education in my students. Every single day. I think it'll just rub off of me, don't you think?
Anyway,
I think I'm done with my first post. My daughter was such a patient trooper too! Thanks Ashlyn!
Priscilla
