Year 7-Passions

It's been YEARS since I've visited this little piece of my online world.
I've been through a lot emotionally, spiritually, physically in the last 5 years!
I'm really not sure how to recap all that in one post...
I guess the first thing I can say is that I LOVE teaching just as much as I ever did, even in year 7...but in addition to that, I've found new passions that I feel pulling me in various directions and I haven't yet decided what that means for my future as an educator.
I toy with the idea often of going back to school to specialize in counseling, taking classes to become highly qualified in a middle or high school area, or changing my tune entirely to move out of the school system and into supporting women and children in other ways.
I think this blog will become a place of exploration for me.
The title is Mrs. D's Diamonds, "Finding Diamonds in the Rough"...I feel like I'm truly on a journey in doing just that!

My Year Thus far...WEEK TWO

So, this is my second week with my students...they are AMAZING! 

I think all teachers feel like they get the best of the bunch, but this year is truly exciting!

I'm working with the K-1 special education students as well as the 7-8 students.

I know right...big differences in my groups...but surprisingly it WORKS!

My K-1 students all get their service time before lunch, I have a nice break for lunch, duty and prep and then I'm with my 7/8th grade group for the last hour and a half of the day.

I was afraid of the whole 7/8 thing, but they are GREAT kids...respectful...care about their work...overall, I'm excited!

With all that being said...I'm overwhelmed, so I haven't been on the blog scene!

I just finished up my first 6 week summer masters course, online. It was great and I learned a lot, but it ended right as my school year was beginning and that meant lots of things all due and all new, all over my life! 

On top of that, I have two student teachers...thankfully they are FABULOUS, but that's another added pressure. 

Then on top of that, we have a new principal who is "turning the school around"...it's definitely needed, but it's an intimidating change!

So, basically my life has become a multi-layer cake of craziness! I've got two little ones who are at a new school this year as well and a hubby who's got job stresses of his own!

My first IEP is due tomorrow even...SO MUCH GOING ON!

Sorry for the rant, I think that ends it for now...but I'm sure I'll be back later!

Did I mention...I LOVE MY KIDDOS!!! (both in my classroom and the ones at home) 

:)

August Currently!

So, first of all...Sorry for the Hiatus yet again!

I think all of us, as teachers, can attest to the fact that SUMMER just IS NOT LONG ENOUGH!

I feel like my entire summer was used to organize, craft, research and shop for school supplies, materials and lesson ideas!

I'll be the first to say, even after the entire summer of dedication to the above, I'm NOT READY for school to start on MONDAY!

I have so many pictures I need to upload, I will do that tomorrow! Today is dedicated to my CURRENTLY and I think you'll understand all that it mentions! ENJOY and Link up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

I can seriously say this B2S is 9 years in the making! I've gotten married, had two children, achieved an Associates, a Bachelors and have started a Masters program! This is my VERY FIRST classroom that I will start at the beginning of the year! Last year I started my job in January and was plunged into the unknown! I didn't do all I had wanted to do in my classroom, but this year my room is PERFECT! :)

I'll share all the glory of my room tomorrow...maybe into a few days worth of posts...I LOVE IT that much!

Gone too long..hello again

Well, I'm THREE WEEKS into my Masters Program at ASU. I've mentioned it before and it's caused me to be extremely busy! 

Not only have I been attacking masters course work and playing super mom...I've been trying to prepare all my classroom materials and find some sense of organization!

I start back to work TOMORROW!

Like seriously...Tomorrow I go in for 4 days of special education training from 7am-5pm each day!

The Friday that we have off, I'm hoping I get to go into my classroom and at least check out my new space.

I'm kinda dreading the fact that I'll be sharing a room...not only because I like things my own way and like my space, but also because I'll have two student teachers with me...we will be CRAMPED if we all have students at the same time!

The following week, will be insane! I have new teacher training Monday (since I joined the staff  mid-year I need to go), Tuesday have mentor and leadership team meetings, Wednesday all staff returns to campus for in-service, Thursday is a full day in our classroom AND Open House that night, and then Friday I'm hoping will be a cake walk. I'll be SCRAMBLING the next few weeks to prepare!

Honestly....I haven't set foot in my new classroom since the first week of June and I cannot even imagine the chaos that awaits!

So sorry for the book and the lameness of no pictures....but go check out a fabulous little Facebook Blog Hop going on with some AWESOME 2nd grade bloggers!

You will start the blog hop for freebies at the FB page of Tori from Tori's Teach Tips!! :)

Nominated for a Liebster Award! :)

When I opened my email this morning, I found an email from Mrs. B over at Mrs. B's Best..a fifth grade blogger that I'm excited to follow! She has honored me with a nomination for the Liebster Award...this is such an incredible blogging opportunity for me.

Follow this post all the way through to learn a little about yours truly! :)

So here is how it works:

To accept the nomination I must:

1. Link back to the blog that nominated me

2. Nominate 5-11 bloggers with fewer than 200 followers

3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator

4. Share 11 random facts about yourself

5. Create 11 questions for your nominees

6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

My Nominees:

Kaitlyn over at Second Is The Best

Stacy with Teacher's Take Out

Jenn at SPED Teacher L84 Baseball

Pamela at Little Bird Kindergarten

and last but not least

Teacher in Training

(Ladies, go to the bottom of the blog post for your questions!) :)

Questions from Mrs. B:
1.  What or who inspired you to become a teacher? In high school I was a peer mentor for the special education students in my school. I grew really close to a few students with down syndrome and found my calling!
2.  What do you find most challenging about teaching? I think many teachers can attest to the fact that differentiating for 25+ kiddos at once is a challenge. Even working with students that have disabilities, each student is unique and needs individualized attention!
3.  Do you have a hobby? I have a side company called Karrington's Kreations. I enjoy making hair accessories for little ones...bows, headbands, hats...It's FUN! :)
4.  What is your favorite color? Green, it's one of sorority colors (KAPPA DELTA)...pink is also a mega favorite...I'm a bit girly in that regard!
5.  Have you traveled to other countries?  If so, where?  If not, what country would you like to visit? I have only traveled to the Caribbean. I've been on a few cruises to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico.
6.  What is your most embarrassing teaching moment? This is a tough one, I really cannot recall. I'm one of those people who completely blocks out bad things that happen. Maybe I just haven't had enough time in the classroom to have seriously mortifying things happen!
7.  During those crazy times of the year, what/who keeps you 'grounded'? MY HUSBAND! I'm so grateful to him for helping me follow my dreams! I may drive him nuts with all my teacher shenanigans  but he's always my rock!
8.  If you could spend the day with anyone, who would it be? Abraham Lincoln...what an inspiring man!
9.  When is your birthday?  December 12, 1985
10.  What is your favorite TV show? I'm really into 'So You Think You Can Dance'..but I'm also a big 'Grey's Anatomy' fan!
11.  What is the best piece of advice you would give a new teacher? COLLABORATE! Don't expect that you have to do everything on your own. Don't reinvent the wheel...you can find so many resources from your colleagues and from places like TPT. "It takes a village to raise a child."

Random Facts About Me:

1. I used to work at a water park in TN called Nashville Shores.

2. I met my husband at my mom's company cookout.

3. I miss the GREEN of TN!

4. I have two beautiful children.  One is in 2nd grade and the other a Montessori preschooler.

5. Growing up I attended family reunions regularly for my LARGE extended family!

6. I took up running this summer...I'm able to run 12 minutes/mile! (for those of you who laugh at this...at least I'm out there!)

7. I will have my 10 year high school reunion in 2014!

8. Sparkling wine relaxes me...I like that fruity stuff!

9. I would love to go Sky Diving one day, but my husband is afraid of heights, I'd be doing it alone most likely!

10. I have a cat, but I'm a dog person at heart...I want a big (lab) and a little dog (teacup yorkie)...secretly I would be a "dog in the purse" kinda lady!

11.  I LOVE to travel!

11 Questions for my Nominees:

1. How did you know you wanted to become an educator?

2. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

3. What is your favorite classroom memory?

4. What is your favorite thing to snack on at school?

5. If you went back to school, what would you receive a degree in?

6. What did you do over summer "vacation"?

7. What is your favorite style of music?

8. What is a brand that you will not buy generic?

9. What classroom technology could you not live without?

10. Who is your biggest teaching inspiration?

11. What is your favorite school year holiday?

Show Off Your *Piles* Linky Party

I've bee away for a dramatic 6 days, enjoying time with my In-Laws over the 4th of July weekend! We did our share of swimming, got our share of sunburns and enjoyed home-smoked pulled pork and Korean Beef!

Here is a picture of my poor 3 year old...Mommy forgot to put sunscreen on before letting her go to the pool with the grandparents and I didn't remind them I put sunscreen in the bag. :( 

I felt awful for my baby girl...she has had lots of Aloe applied and took much needed Benadryl (recommended by my best friend who works in a burn unit)! She is doing much better!!

Now, back to the real reason for this post...

Christina over at Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge created a really cool linky! I figured I could definitely participate in this one!

Basically, teachers take over their homes while away from the classroom. During the summer months we take to crafty projects, new research and buying up crazy amounts of classroom decor and organizational materials. This linky is helping us all feel a little better and that we're not alone in our piles!

My 'Stuff' has taken over my craft corner, my bedroom and my garage...

As you can see, one of my Monday Made It projects is one of the biggest...but I have so many more coming!

Head on over to Christina Bainbridge's blog and LINK UP!!

Happy Piles!

:)

Monday Made It!

Since I'm so new to the world of teacher blogging, there are a lot of linkies I have yet to be part of. This makes me a little sad, but excited at the same time because I have so much to look forward to in my blogging adventure! 

One of those linkies I have yet to participate in is a Monday Made It, linked up at 4th Grade Frolics.

Today though folks, is the day! I have a couple little craftivities I would like to share!

#1 on the agenda is something I've been working on for a couple weeks...Rainbow Bookcases!! These haven't been the most fun project (mostly because it's 113 degrees in AZ), but they are turning out FABULOUS! 

I found the idea on pinterest of course...I changed it up a little, but you can click on the picture to check it out!

#2 on the agenda was a little more spur of the moment and FUN! I found this idea on pinterest as well, of course...and it will be a great little treat bag for my new students in August!

Click on this picture to check it out on Pinterest!

On a completely different note...I'm starting a new treadmill interval workout this week! I started it today making it a NEW MADE IT! :)

I'm hoping I can update you all on how for I can make it! Yayy me!

I will leave you with a makeup free picture of me, post run...it was 98 degrees at 9am this morning when I got outside on the treadmill..FUN! Ugh!