NBCT

Woot woot! Almost a year and a half ago I started this journey. It. Is. (Finally!). Finished!!!!!!!! 👊

Classroom Tour 2014/2015

I just wanted to post a few pictures of my classroom this year! I love looking back to see how my style has changed over the years! 

I still love my chair balls! And my brand new SMARTboard! 

I know there are some repeats, but I can't find all my original pictures. 

My clipboards out in the hallway are one if my favorite things! I spray painted them blue and hot glued them up. Bye bye paper clips! I also made a new curtain out of a yard of fabric. I changed my entire theme to Dots on Turquoise. I love the colors and patterns! 

May Happenings

Hanging out in the tub due to some scary weather! 

Play dates with sweet Riley Kate! 

G loves to line up his cars. 

This note from this kid means more than you'll ever know! 

Saturday night ice cream dates. 

Another 5k in the books! Sadly I haven't had much time to run since then, but after school is over, my running shoes and I have some hot dates lined up. 

G spent an entire weekend at my parent's house so I could finish my national board portfolio. I am SO glad it is finally submitted!!! 

G rocking his bed head one morning. 

Finally finished my master bedroom make over that I started last year. 

Amber's wedding! So pretty! 

Exactly one week after submitting my portfolio, we talked to a loan officer about pre approval on a home loan. After cleaning our house like maniacs, we listed it exactly one week later on a Wednesday, and we accepted an offer two days later! That same day, we made an offer on this house...

It is a short sale, so we are hoping to hear something soon! The owners have accepted our offer, so we are just waiting on their bank. We close on our house June 23, so we are looking for interim housing. Not fun!! However, God has worked everything out so we know it's all going to be ok! 

Then THIS happened!! Oh my word!!! I was so shocked when they named me Teacher of the Year for my district. I remember last year watching the TOY being named and right then and there I made that a goal for myself. I had no idea it would happen so soon!! God is so faithful and I walk in His blessings and favor!! I went to Little Rock on Friday to turn in my application for the regional and state TOY. I do not think I have a chance, but feel so honored to have the opportunity to even have my name in the hat! 

And then yesterday my best friend and I celebrated six years of marriage. I don't know what I would do without his love, support, and encouragement. He drives me crazy, in both good and bad ways. Haha! I love him with my whole heart and can't wait to see what our future holds!

I'm excited to report that the only things on my to do list now is to study for my national board tests, get my class reunion in order, pack my house, find a place to live, help host a baby shower, and go on vacation!!! 

Holiday Season

Wow! What a crazy week!! My principal informed us that we would all have an informal observation before Christmas break. Well, she didn't make it to me and then the last week of school was here and I was sweating bullets! What teacher would want to be observed the last week before Christmas vacation?!?! Monday passed. Tuesday was our plan day. She was in meetings all day Wednesday. Thursday was our Spelling Bee and Christmas program. I was at the point I would just laugh if she came in Friday!! Luckily she did come in, but not for an observation. She popped in to tell the kids Merry Christmas at our fabulous end of year party! I have the best parents this year. The party was fun and smooth sailing. 

My kids were SO sweet, and I felt so blessed to open up all their gifts. They were so happy to give them to me. I loved them all! 

Thursday my team and I exchanged gifts between one another when we grabbed a quick bite to eat at Colton's before the Christmas program. I love my team so much. I feel so blessed to work with them. In fact, I love all of the faculty at my school! Here are a few shots of our school Christmas party! 

Our new principal seems to be warming up to us as well. She is very sweet and has a great sense of humor. She gave all of us a free movie pass for Christmas! We are all going to go together I think. Our husbands will be in charge of the kiddos! Haha!! 

Wednesday night my ladies bible study group had a Christmas party. I haven't been able to go as much this semester, but hoping to go more often this upcoming year. My friend and I are trying to get a young couples group started. I think I have way too much on my plate for Spring with national boards, an intern, TESS, and helping a new ministry. Yikes!!

I wore my lumberjack shirt to school with my leopard print, sparkly slippers. Haha! Most comfy outfit!

Off to finish some Christmas shopping last weekend! 

Busy!

This has been a busy month already, but I'm afraid it's not going to slow down until November. In the next three weeks, I have my first TESS pre conference, observation, and post conference, first national board meeting, a pumpkin and classroom door to decorate for red ribbon week, a website to build, RTI conferences, report cards, a half-marathon, parent teacher conferences, a PD day, and Griffin's first trick-or-treating! Whew. I'm exhausted typing it all out. 

I'm most excited for the half marathon! I missed my 11 mile run yesterday due to storms. My 9 mile run was amazing. My last long run was 10 miles and it didn't go as well as the nine miles. I had to take a potty break after the first five and never found my rhythm for the last five. It was tough. So it's messing with my head!! I was hoping to have an awesome long run under my belt going into the half. I'm still excited though and relying on my training and God to get me through it!

Our new 3rd grade shirts!

Friday night was Fall Fest at school. Griffin LOVED the bump and jump! That's all he wanted to do. I love that so many if my co workers have little ones just like me. It's nice to swap mom stories! 

We've had lots of family time at home the past week or so. We ran out of money, so Griffin was our entertainment as we ate our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Haha! The water heater and garbage disposal going out with a few other unexpected expenses made this month a little tight! But G had his first pb&j with no allergic reaction! Woot woot!

Speaking of money, Brandon and I sat down and had our first budget meeting in many months. We are back on a plan and I know Dave Ramsey would be proud. We have several things we want in the upcoming year or two (vacation, bigger home, and a little brother or sister for G), so we better get our finances in order! 

Still trying to drop some weight! I'm not there yet, but I'm getting closer!

This kid is my everything! 

Classroom Tour

My yarn wreath on my door. So fun!

The view from the door. As you can see, my SMARTboard has been replaced by a 77 inch TV. A select few classrooms have TVs now, and eventually all classrooms in the district will have them. They are more cost efficient and allows the teacher to manipulate the board anywhere in the room with a tablet. 

The back of my room. I LOVE my chair balls!! 

My first ever word wall. This will be for vocabulary words from our literacy units. 

My desk is in the back corner by the window and my library runs along the wall. I replaced my original chevron rug with this $20 find from Ikea.

My reading group table, laptop and iPad cart is on the other side of the room. The shelves hold book sets and math manipulatives. 

The front of my room. Chevron fabric is from Hobby Lobby. I'm always looking for ways to brighten up every space, so this year I put Christmas lights around my whiteboards. 

Writing proficiency board

Classroom data board 

Student supply area

Lots of books!! Clear tubs house specific authors or series. Blue tubs have fiction genres, and the red tubs have non fiction books. 

Calendar and writing goal chart. So excited to use the goal chart I found on TPT! 

So that's basically all! I'm excited to begin my new year tomorrow!