It Can Be Done

As we get our class lists every year, we often hear phrases like, “Oh… you have (insert name of extremely challenging student here) in your class.  Good luck!  You’re going to need it!”  Or the phrase, “(Name) made me cry last year… A lot.”  In which I am foolish enough to ask the question, “How much is a lot?”  And I get a response along the lines of, “Every week,” or even worse, “Every day.”

Initially, these kinds of comments make me nervous.  The kind of nervous where my palms start sweating, my heart starts racing, and I get this uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach that won’t go away.  But then it does go away.  Eventually.  And it all happens when I utter four simple words, “it can be done.”

It can be done. 

Thinking deeply about these students that enter our classroom with warning labels leads me to examine my own biases.  I must be open-minded and see past the labels that students come in with.  I want all of my students to experience success.  All of them.  And I know that it can be done. 

It can be done. 

No student is a lost cause.  Not yesterday, not today, and most definitely not tomorrow.  Not ever.  Each student that enters our classroom is unique.  They each have different backgrounds and experiences that shape who they are and who they become.  These students enter our classrooms with limitless potential and an endless desire to be loved.  They may push us to our limits and challenge us in ways we never thought possible.  They may make us cry and grit our teeth, but I know that they will always make us smile.  Always.  I didn’t go into teaching for the summers off or the recognition, I went into teaching to make a difference.  And that’s exactly what I plan to do – make a difference. 

 It can be done. 

And so I leave you with this…  As you enter the school year, approach it with an open mind.  Do not let what others say about a student influence how you view and treat this student.  Each student that enters your classroom does so with an open heart yearning to be loved.  Get rid of the labels.  Educate, encourage, inspire.  Make a difference in the lives of those set before you. 

It can be done. 

And it will be done.  

~Chelsea

Gaining Perspective

This past year was one for the books.  It has been, quite literally, the most action-packed school year that I’ve experienced.  From the historic flooding to the consolidation of two great schools into one, I cannot think of a more emotional, yet hopeful school year.  Through all the changes, we remained a community- a family that formed even tighter bonds with one another.  We supported each other through the challenges, mourning the loss of what once was, but celebrating the future of what could be. 

Although I was given the opportunity to teach third grade again, I knew in my heart that I could not accept this position.  I don’t know how else to describe it, but I had a gut feeling that told me it was time for a change.  This has been one of the most difficult choices that I’ve had to make.  I’ve had so many great memories and formed so many deep friendships.  All the experiences I’ve had allowed me to view life from a new perspective.  Not only did they help shape the teacher I have become, but also the person I have become.  I am forever grateful. 

This summer, I packed up all of my belongings and moved to a different part of the state.  I’m beginning to settle in, however, I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to make the transition.  It is amazing being so deeply connected to something, yet feeling so disconnected all at the same time.  I guess it just makes me that much more appreciative of the people that have been a part of this journey.  No matter the distance between us, we will always be a family.  Always. 

Looking towards the future, I am hopeful.  I have been given the opportunity to form new friendships, as well as reconnect and strengthen old friendships.  This summer has been very active, but I am taking some time to slow down and soak it all in.  I am thrilled about the new school I will be working in, the awesome colleagues I will get to learn from and work alongside, and the students that will enter my classroom in a few short weeks.  I am embracing the change and am looking forward to a very bright future filled with endless possibilities!  

~Chelsea

Forever Family

Amidst all of the craziness with school and life, I’ve come to realize the importance of community.  As my class has defined it, a community is a group of people who work together and help each other out.  These past two weeks, I’ve experienced the power of a community that thrives and fulfills this definition faithfully.

 

People are truly amazing.  In a time of crisis and great need, it astounds me how many people come together to help one another.  Within a day of starting up a donation center for the families at our school, we had to switch locations due to the mass quantities coming in (and the fact that we needed a fully operating gym for PE).  Teachers, students, and family members all gave up their precious weekend time to help support the families that lost their homes.  Tears were shed and smiles reappeared- the sign of a new beginning. 

Even though this was only just the very beginning of a very long recovery effort, it set the precedent for the events to come.  Last week, I visited the new donation site to pick up some things for my students and was astonished by what I saw.  Over the course of just 3 days, enough donations were collected that they filled up an entire church!  There was a room designated for clothes, a room for shoes, a room for toiletries, and a room for food – each of these rooms packed with volunteers unloading, sorting, and organizing the donations as they were being dropped off.  At one point, later in the week, they had to begin re-routing their donation site to other churches and businesses in the area.  Wow- what a problem to have… too many donations! 

Not only did people support us by donating these necessities, we also found other places around our town playing leading roles in the relief effort…  Rec centers and churches opening up their showering facilities, Laundromats offering free loads of laundry, the Food Bank collecting and dispersing food, volunteers passing out flyers on how to help, and neighbors, friends, and family helping wade through the treacherous waters to collect belongings and lending shoulders to cry on when they were needed most.  All of these things just prove what a great community I live in and teach in.  As one of my friends said, “It’s nice to know that goodness spreads” and let me tell you, goodness most definitely does spread!

I am overwhelmed and so incredibly grateful for our community.  Our community – a group of people who work together and help each other out.  But we are more than just a community- we are a family. 

~Chelsea

Back to Normal?

This week I was told that things would begin to go back to normal.  But what is normal?  I really do not know.  I thought I knew, but as it turns out, I really don’t.  Life is an increasingly complex thing filled with overwhelming challenges and sensational celebrations.  Unfortunately, this week proved to be one chock-full of confounding obstacles and copious amounts of stress. 

If you read my previous post, you would begin to understand the catastrophic events that shattered our town and displaced hundreds of families (many of which attend the school I teach at).  Overall, over 20% of our school population is now considered homeless.  A shocking statistic that really has an impact on overall learning.  And life. 

A human’s basic needs: shelter, water, food, air, and sleep.  What happens when those basic needs aren’t met?  The effects are devastating.  And yet, many of my students have to live with this reality almost every day… Homes- uninhabitable.  Water- unusable and unflushable.  Food- sparce and unfulfilling.  Air- toxic, filled with the fumes of natural gas and feces.  Sleep- hard to come by. 

I pray for my sweet students, my children, who face these unforeseeable circumstances.  I know their situations are supposed to be only temporary, but for how long?  When will their lives return to normal?  Or will they ever? 

I can only hope that I can provide a small portion of what my students need every day- a safe place, our classroom, filled with an abundance of love and compassion.  A place where ideas sparkle and magic flows, allowing learning to come to life.  A place bursting with light, illuminating the pathway of hope for a better tomorrow.  A place that is normal.  Almost. 

~Chelsea 

A Family United By Hope

Friggatriskaidekaphobia – the fear of Friday the 13^th.  I’ve never feared this day… only  once did I have my share of “bad luck” when I got into a very minor car accident 8 years ago (which was immediately made better by a giant bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream at a friend’s house).  But two days ago, Friday, September 13, 2013 must’ve made up for all those other Friday the 13^ths.  This past Friday was downright awful.  Devastating.  Horrific.  Unimaginable. 

As you may know, Colorado has been experiencing its fair share of extreme weather.  More specifically, flooding.  I was surprised to see that we were one of the only districts in our area that was still scheduled to have school.  But I guess I wasn’t that surprised… we hadn’t had as much rain as the neighboring towns.  The school day began as normal… just a little wetter than usual.  By around 11am, the rain slowed to a drizzle and the clouds began to disappear.  It appeared to be a normal, sunshiney Colorado day! 

At exactly 11:04am, one of my students was picked up by his family.  Thinking he was headed out for an extended weekend, I gave him a hug and wished him well.  Then at 11:14am, another one of my students was picked up by her family.  As I looked out my classroom window, I saw a line of about 12 cars.  I thought to myself, “what is going on?”  And then the line continued to grow and remained steady – from 11:14am until the bell rang at 3:45pm.  My class of 27 students dwindled down to 8 by 3:40pm.  And 4 of the 8 that remained were asked to go to the gym to be picked up by their parents instead of taking the bus home. 

I had heard rumors about the floods making their way into our area, but I had a hard time believing it looking at the sunny weather outside.  I wanted to confirm what I had heard, but I had a meeting during my plan time – the only opportunity I had to be on my computer.  I just continued my day as planned- trying to keep it as normal and routine as possible, reassuring all my students that they were safe.   It wasn’t until after 4pm that I was able to fully comprehend the widespread devastation. 

The Big Thompson River and the St. Vrain River collided and merged into the South Platte River, essentially wiping out entire neighborhoods.  Homes were submerged, where only the roofs could be seen.  Mobile homes were swept away, toppling over like rows of dominoes.  People were being rescued by rafts, canoes, or SeaDoos in a landlocked state.  I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

And then I was told where all of this was taking place – just a mile or so down the road, where the majority of the families that attend our school live.  I was in a state of utter shock.

Right now, it is estimated that 150 families (approximately 250 students) from my school have completely lost their homes.  As I said before…  Devastating.  Horrific.  Unimaginable. 

I had to do something.  I had to take action.  But how?  Where to even start?  I rounded up a few other teachers that remained at our school that Friday evening and we formulated a plan.  We went on a mini shopping spree, stocking our basket to the brim with blankets and socks, hoping they would serve as little pieces of comfort when all was lost.  On our way to the shelter, the devastation began to sink in… all really was lost. 

Holding back the tears, I put on a brave face as I entered the building where some of our students were being housed.  Immediately, one of my students spotted me and sprinted over to give me a big hug.  “Did your house get flooded too?” she asked.  “No, it didn’t, I just wanted to come by to see how you were doing,” I replied.  “That is so nice!  I can’t believe you’re here… I never see teachers outside of school!” she eagerly stated.  We continued our conversation, where she proceeded to show me pictures of the flood and tell me all of her friends that were staying at the shelter.  She seemed positive about everything and especially liked the fact that it was going to be like a giant sleepover.  I don’t think she was able to fully comprehend the devastation, but I was glad to see her in high spirits.  I visited with quite a few of my other students, all of whom were extremely glad to see familiar faces and receive little pieces of comfort.    

What an emotional day it had been.  Of all the horrendous things that went on that day, I was glad to end it with a bright spot.  That night, after sending many prayers, I lay wide awake in my bed – thinking about the families and the tough road that lies ahead of them.  What would the future bring? 

Apparently, other teachers at my school had also experienced sleepless nights, thinking up ways we could help these families.  And so it goes… plans were made and action was taken.  Toiletries, clothes, and toys were brought to the students at the shelter.  With representation of multiple teachers from each grade level, we successfully passed out bags of necessities to the families that were impacted by this flood.  Every child, beaming from ear to ear at the excitement of receiving these gifts.  Parents, welling up with tears at the sight of their child receiving something as simple as a blanket.  Everyone was grateful.  So incredibly grateful. 

Even though it seemed like everything had been lost, one thing for sure remained intact... A family.  Not just any family, but our family.  Our family united by hope. 

Please continue to pray for the students and families that have been deeply affected by this natural disaster.  We are accepting donations of toiletries, clothes, shoes, non-perishable food items, bottled water, toys/games, and pet care items to make care packages for each of the families.  Monetary donations can also be made to The Red Cross, United Way of Weld County, or The Community Foundation of Greeley and Weld County.  Anything and everything truly does help!  Thank you so much for your support and prayers! 

To find out more information about this tragedy, visit: http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/local/8118850-113/greeley-scheduled-county-evans

~Chelsea

Pay It Forward

As I was on my way to McDonald’s after school, I decided to make a pit-stop at the nearby Dollar Tree to pick up a few items for my classroom.  The store was buzzing with people, many whom were shopping with their families, picking up a few necessities for the week.  After a long day at work, I strolled around the store, leisurely gathering my supplies and eventually placing my items on the conveyor belt. 

As I stood in the checkout line, the person in front of me had just rung up $40 worth of groceries for her family.  Her three sons each carried an armload of bags, eagerly waiting for their mom to pay.  As the woman reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet, she began frantically searching for her credit card.  She asked her husband if he had the card, so he began frantically searching his wallet as their sons looked on impatiently.  The mother told the cashier that she was unable to pay for the groceries since she was missing her credit card and told the boys that they would have to come back another time to pick up their groceries.  At this moment, my heart sank for the woman and her family, so I decided to intervene. 

“I’ve got it.”  I smiled at the woman and handed the cashier my credit card.  “I can’t let you do that,” the woman responded.  “Really, it’s no problem,” I told her.  At that moment, I swiped my card and signed the receipt.  The woman and her family were so grateful – “You are an angel.  A guardian angel.  I can’t thank you enough for your kindness.”  The woman smiled at me, still surprised at what I had just done for her family.  “Thank you,” she said one last time as she walked out the door and loaded the groceries into her van.  I smiled as I watched her sons excitedly hop in the van and drive off.  It felt good to do something kind for someone else.

I had just finished loading my bags into the backseat of my car when I notice the same dark blue van pull back into the parking lot.  As I begin to sit down in the driver’s seat, the woman rolls down her window and shouts, “Miss, wait!”  So I stop and walk up to her van.  She steps out and says, “I would like to repay you.”  I reply, “That isn’t necessary.  This was something that I wanted to do.  My treat.”  “But I’d like to repay you somehow… I can come to clean your house.  Anything you want.”  “Thank you for the offer.  I really appreciate it, but honestly, it isn’t necessary.”  “I’ve just never had anyone do anything so nice for me like that before.  I really would like to repay you somehow.”  “All I ask of you is that you pay it forward.  Spread kindness to others.  That’s how you can repay me.”  “You are an angel.  I try to be kind and giving to others and do the best that I can…”  At that moment I reach over and give her a hug.  “It’s just that I don’t have any family around here and I’m doing the best I can to make ends meet.”  She begins sobbing.  I reassure her, “we’re all doing the best we can.  That’s what matters most.  What happened in there could’ve happened to anyone.  It was just by chance that we happened to be in line next to each other.”  She reached over and gave me another hug, “I really can’t thank you enough.  You are a kind person.  It really means a lot to me what you just did.”  “Thank you.  I’m glad I could help,” I say as we both part ways and drive off in our cars teary-eyed.

So why am I sharing this story with you right now?  Here’s why:  God works in mysterious ways.  He really is always on your side, providing you with many opportunities to be the best you can be.  And to me, one of those ways is to pay it forward.  To spread kindness everywhere you go.  You never know how it can impact someone’s day…

I hope that you, too, have a blessed day!

~Chelsea

I'm Back!

Hello!

I can't believe it's been over a year since my last blog post!  Crazy!  

Here's a quick re-cap of my year for you:

• This was my first year teaching in a classroom of my very own and I LOVED it!
• I started my Masters in Reading (and am halfway through my program)
• I taught 4th grade this past year and am moving to 3rd grade next year... exciting times ahead!

To sum it all up, time flies!  It's amazing how much things can change in one year- I have learned so much and have met many incredible people who have inspired me to be the best I can be in every aspect of my life.  

In an attempt to find more of a balance in my life, blogging took a backseat this past year.  It is my hope that I can bring it back into my life while still maintaining this balance.  

On another note, school starts next week!  Ahh!  I've been working hard in my room and will be posting pictures soon...

Happy Summer!!!  :-)

~Chelsea

Lean Into It

On the very last day of my very first year of teaching, my principal shared some great advice.  He said, “Lean into it.”  Such a simple statement, yet so full of wealth.  Lean into it – Feel every emotion, whether it be positive or negative.  Be vulnerable.  Experience joy.  Let it all happen.  Be there.  Experience all you can without worries about the outcome.  Feel alive.  Live. 

I’m not sure if that’s exactly what he meant by that statement, but that’s how I interpreted it.  During my first year, I experienced the bitterness of defeat, breathed in the luminous rays of hope, and tasted the sweetness of victory.  I leaned into it.

Even though my last day of school was almost a full 2 weeks ago, I haven’t really taken the time to truly reflect on my year.  As I was lying in bed, 11:58pm, restless and wide awake – it hit me.  What an extreme year this has been!  Extremely tough, but an extreme blessing! 

So many twists and turns, ups and downs, and unexpected changes – this year has been action-packed to say the least!  Such an incredible journey – a complete emotional roller coaster… but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything!  Teaching is my true passion.  I’ve found my home away from home!

I endured hardships and kept on pushing through… I survived.  Not only did I survive, I thrived.  I had the opportunity to teach 84 amazing children who came to my classroom with many different backgrounds and learning experiences.  It was a challenge, but the benefit was far greater.  Each one of these 84 children brought joy to my classroom… and to me.  No matter what their circumstances, they always came in excited and ready to learn.  They have shown me the importance of having a positive attitude, putting forth 100% effort, and believing in yourself.  These have always been my core beliefs, but my students have shown me the true beauty and power they hold.   I am forever grateful for this experience. 

This upcoming school year, I have been blessed with the opportunity to teach 4^th grade at the same school.  Having my own classroom has been a dream of mine and I feel so fortunate that it is finally coming true.  I don’t know what will come of this next year, but I do know that there will be many challenges, unexpected surprises, and moments of sheer joy that come with this dream.  My plan – experience it all!  Laugh.  Cry.  Learn.  Grow.  I will lean into it with all of my might!

~Chelsea

2, 4, 6, 8, Who do we appreciate?

You!  You!  You!  J

Hooray for teachers!  You inspire the young hearts and minds by believing in them and helping them succeed and there’s no greater gift than that!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

I hope that you are feeling extra appreciated and special this week.  I know I sure am!  On Monday we were treated to Starbucks and today we were served lunch – a tasty baked potato bar!  And if you know me, I LOVE my baked potatoes!  J 

Besides all of the goodies and tasty treats, the thing that I love most and feel most appreciated by is my students.  There are times where I feel like I want to pull my hair out, cry, and/or scream because of extreme frustration, however, I’ve realized just how precious my students are.  They care about me and each other and truly want to learn.  Looking back, those little moments are the ones that glimmer and shine through all the negative things.  I am so fortunate and unbelievably blessed that I have had the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of children.  They have inspired me to be a better teacher and have made an enormous difference in my life.  They are the reason why I teach. 

Sadly, the days I get to spend with these kiddos are numbered.  The last day of school is just 11 school days away (say what?!?)!  We already started benchmark testing, which means I already had to say goodbye to some of my groups.  L  This past Friday marked the last day I would spend with my 2^nd grade group.  I had a special day planned for them since they had worked so hard over the course of the year.  Little did I know that they had some surprises for me…

We usually start each class period with 2 minutes of “share time.”  Since the students come from different classes and have all sorts of exciting things going on in their lives, I figured that this would be a good way to help build community.  Students usually ask me before class if they can share, which I then pick two students and give them each one minute to share anything they’d like.  Things shared range from activities done over the weekend, family pictures, book recommendations, and comedy acts.  The kids absolutely love it and it has made a huge difference in promoting a positive classroom atmosphere.

Anyways… it was time to share on our very last day together when almost every hand in the room shot up wanting to speak.  Since it was our last day, I decided that it would be ok to let everyone share.  We had a few typical sharings and then two girls insisted on being last.  They had one student hold their creation while they both read what was written in unison:

“I will miss you so much.  You will become a fourth grade teacher but I wish you could stay with us.  You are so funny and creative.  You are a teacher that I love in my life.  Also you are smart and fun.  I love you.”

I’m not one to cry very easily, but how could you not tear up after a moment like that?!?  Looking back at the first few days with this group, I wasn’t sure if we’d make it to the end of the year (we got off to a very rough start).  But by the end, we had accomplished so much!  Our class had developed such a tight-knit bond (I even had a few kiddos crying real tears because they didn’t want to leave)!  This year was filled with transformational moments – with a family as the end result.  I love them and will never forget them! 

I know that each and every one of my students will go on to do amazing things in their lives.  I just feel so fortunate that I got to be one little piece of their incredibly large journey.  They’ve shown so much progress over the course of just this year, so I can’t wait to see what their future holds. 

It is my hope that each and every one of my students continues to learn and grow every day.  Christopher Plummer (from the Sound of Music) couldn’t have put it any better when he sang Edelweiss, “May you bloom and grow, bloom and grow forever!”  That is exactly what I want my children to do – bloom and grow forever!  I hope that each of them will come to realize that learning is a lifelong journey! 

~Chelsea

A Fresh New Start

Spring Break was exactly what I needed… a little bit of rest, some relaxation, and lots of sunshine!  J  I’m going back to work feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to go!  Woohoo!!!!  What a wonderful feeling it is!

To contribute to my overwhelming amount of joy, some amazing things happened to me over the past two weeks.  Here are some of the highlights:

·         My blog was awarded a Top 10 Blog!  Woohoo!  Thank you to Emmy over at Daydreams of a Student Teacher for nominating me for this award!  If you haven’t read her blog, you seriously should.  She is witty, innovative, and inspiring – what a great combo!  J

·         I found a stray dog wandering around our school parking lot when I left school.  He was the cutest mini-schnauzer and was just having the greatest time sniffing and running around.  I was loading my bags in my car when he came right up to me and attempted to jump in my car.  He was looking quite parched and I didn’t want to leave him wandering the streets alone with so many busy intersections nearby, so I picked him up and let him ride in the passenger seat of my car.  I gave him some water and turned the air-conditioning on full-blast.  He enjoyed every minute of it!  I, unfortunately, couldn’t keep him, so I took him to the Humane Society where they took him in with open arms and gave him lots of love while he waited for his family to pick him up.  Isn’t he adorable?!?!

·         I spent this past week in Florida where I met up with some of my family.  I was able to spend some quality time with my dad, grandma, great aunt, great uncle, and second cousins.  It was so great to see everyone and hear about all the exciting adventures taking place in their lives.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family! 

·         For two days, I was able to enjoy the luxuries of Key West with my dad.  I went on a bicycle ride around town (and took a small tumble – haha), watched 2 breathtakingly beautiful sunsets, ate entirely way too much key lime pie, and soaked up some rays on the beach. 

 

·         Knowing that Florida’s oceans are home to dolphins, I had my hopes up that I would get to see a dolphin on my trip.  After spending two full days at the beach and a 3.5 hour boat ride to and from Key West, I was beginning to lose hope that I would get to witness these magical creatures in their natural habitat. However, on my very last day at the beach, I was lucky enough to witness 3 dolphins swimming less than 50 yards from shore!  They were so close!!!!  What an amazing sight to see!

·         I gave my blog a much-needed makeover!  I even designed a button!  Now I can always feel like I’m near the ocean…  J   

·         I made the realization that there are only 29 days left of school!  SAY WHAT?!?!?  I couldn’t believe it!  This year has flown by at warp speed and will be over in the blink of an eye!  Crazy!  What an incredible journey this year has been!!!

·         I received some news… some news that might make you jump right out of your seat… (drum roll please…)… Say hello to the newest 4^th grade teacher for the 2012-2013 school year!!!!  J  Woohoo – I honestly couldn’t be more excited!  My dream of having my very own classroom is becoming a reality!  Hooray!!!!  J  

I am looking forward to this incredible opportunity.  I have learned so much from my experience this year and continue to learn and grow every day!  I can’t wait to see what lies ahead as I continue on this glorious journey!

Cheers!

~Chelsea



Simply Sunshine!

Wow!  It’s been exactly one month since my last post!  I apologize for the delay… life has just been a little bit chaotic lately!  I must say, I am very jealous of those of you on Spring Break already… mine is still one week and two days away!  I’m counting down the days until I’ll be on the beach soaking up some much needed sunshine!  J 

Let me catch you up with a few details from this past month (I still can’t believe an entire month has already gone by - how time flies!)… 

Last week was truly an insane week!  I knew that when I uttered the words, “what else can go wrong?” I had made a serious mistake… I jinxed it!  Long story short, last week was awful, but I still found little things to smile about to help get me through the week (like when I leaned up against a sticky table…  and got milk spilled down the front of me… twice… in one 30 minute period… and had a very important meeting to attend after school that day!  (What are the odds?!?)  Let’s just say that I appeared nothing short of professional that day!  It was definitely something to giggle about (and had half the staff giggling too –haha).  J) … AND I learned that I will never utter that menacing phrase again… unless there is wood nearby to knock on!  J

After winding down on Friday night with a few glasses of wine and a good book, I knew that the next week could only get better!  My re-discovered positive attitude even had an effect on the weather (although it was probably the other way around J).  So far, every day this week, I’ve woken up to a beautiful sunny day, including a slight breeze and an expected high temperature of 75 degrees…  Absolutely gorgeous for a “springy” day in the middle of March in Colorado (usually one of our snowiest months)!  J 

Let me rewind a little bit to this past Sunday…   Sunday’s weather was just perfect!  I wanted to spend the day outside, so I thought to myself, “what better way to do this than a nice jog?”  I put on my new Experia running socks, double-knotted my shoe laces, and hit the pavement.  About halfway through my run, I encountered a dirt path that I had never seen before.  I continued on my planned route, but curiosity got the better of me, so I made a U-turn and traveled down the path.  At this point in my run, I was feeling pretty tired (especially due to the fact that this path turned out to be more like a steep hill instead), however, I decided to push through to see where this path could possibly lead.  Many times, I felt like giving up and going back to the “safe” route.  My muscles were screaming at me telling me to stop as I neared the peak, but I focused on my deep breathing and the scenery that surrounded me and pushed on.  Finally, I made it. 

 Where did this path lead, you might ask?  To a park!  A park that I never knew existed.  As I began my cool-down jog, I noticed two young girls leaving the volleyball court fanning me a quick wave hello.  I smiled, uttered an out-of-breath “hi,” and continued jogging around the park, noticing that the park was buzzing with people… families playing basketball, kids chasing each other on the playground, friends showing off their skateboarding tricks, etc.  The park - a great foundation to build relationships, share laughter, and create lasting memories... I took it all in.    

Being the reflective person that I am, I couldn’t help but relate this experience to teaching and to life.  Here’s what I’ve learned:  Life is an adventure!  Take the time to explore.  Sometimes we have to do things that are uncomfortable, but we become stronger for it.  Enjoy the journey and don’t be afraid to slow down and look around for awhile.  If you believe that something can happen, it can, you just have to put forth the effort and genuinely believe that it can.  Find the positives in every situation, build relationships, and do what inspires you most.  Never give up, know that anything is possible, and spread the sunshine everywhere you go! 

At times, teaching is a job that can be completely overwhelming, but it’s important to always remember your purpose as a teacher.  You are there to inspire, create, explore, embrace, teach, care, encourage, guide, instruct, praise, protect, mentor, think, believe, hope, dream, and learn.  Most importantly, you are there to make a difference.  Know that you hold the power to brighten the lives of each of the children that set foot into your classroom – use it!  Be the light that guides your children to places they never thought possible and shines on the endless opportunities that lie ahead. 

Anything really is possible when you believe. 

Shine on! 

~Chelsea

A Commitment to Motivate and Inspire

Last week, I heard the comment that every teacher dreads to hear: “This is boring!  Why do we have to learn this boring stuff?” 

I know that it’s all a matter of opinion of what’s considered fun and what’s considered boring, but this comment really hit home for me this week.  After hearing this comment, I realized that it was the time for a little reflection and the time to change some of my ways.  It was time for me to rediscover my student’s passions and find ways to spread the joy, wonder, and excitement of learning.  And, it was a time for me to take a little trip down memory lane…

When I was a child, I loved school!  In first grade, I experienced the power of reading.  My mind soared as I journeyed to unknown worlds and took part in fascinating adventures as I turned each page of the books I held in my hand.  In second grade, I was given the power of choice in my writing.  I was able to craft wonderful stories filled with as much imagination and adventure as in the books I read.  In sixth grade, I was shown that math was not made-up of just facts that I had to memorize, but rather numbers and symbols that served a specific purpose in my daily life. 

Continuing on to middle school…  social studies – a subject I normally dreaded due to the mundane repetition, memorization, and unknowing purpose of studying our nation’s history.  But that all changed when I set foot in my eighth grade social studies class.  In that class, history was brought to life. 

In all of my science classes throughout high school, I was lucky to get to experience hands-on, minds-on learning every day.  Through the use of 21^st century skills, such as technology, collaboration, and critical thinking, everyone was able to work together to achieve a common goal.      

Let’s not forget college… my favorite courses were the ones that were taught by professors who thought outside of the box.  Instead of having us listen to monotonous lectures, these professors involved students in the process of learning and the culmination of new ideas. 

Through all these experiences, I’ve realized that each and every one of my teachers had a genuine passion for teaching.  They found ways to make the subject-matter they taught relatable and applicable to everyday life.  They spent a significant amount of their time planning these lessons, conferring with students, and asking thought-provoking questions.  They made all students feel like a success… leaving their classrooms with the feeling that anything was possible.    

My teachers helped create these passions and instill a lifetime love of learning.  And to them, I offer a very sincere thank-you.  Because of you, you have shaped the teacher I want to become.  I want my students to experience the magic and wonderment that you showed me every single day.  I want to inspire my students to believe they can do the impossible and give them the tools to do just that.  Anything is possible.    

And so, I leave you with this quote from Seth Godin’s e-book titled, Stop Stealing Dreams:

“When we let our kids dream, encourage them to contribute, and push them to do work that matters, we open doors for them that will lead to places that are difficult for us to imagine.  When we turn school into more than just a finishing school for a factory job, we enable a new generation to achieve things that we were ill-prepared for” (187).    

I want my kids to dream.  To realize anything is possible.  And to do this, I commit to making a change.

~Chelsea

Tag... You're It!!!!

Whew… last week was one grueling week!  I won’t go into too much detail other than parent-teacher conferences, formal observation (plus pre and post conferences), data inundation, misbehaving students (full moon?), meetings galore, sickness, and complete, total, utter exhaustion.  To sum it up in one word:  Stress.FULL!  I’m looking forward to a much more laid-back week this week (and a long weekend)!  J

Miss Russell over at Thoughts of a Student Teacher has asked me to be part of a little bloggy-tag game… and now I’m it!  Here are the questions that I was asked to answer:

1. If you could move anywhere and teach, where would it be?

2. What is your favorite grade to teach and why?

3. What is one of your most memorable teaching moments?

4. What is your favorite restaurant to eat out at?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. What is your biggest fear?

7. What is the hardest thing about teaching?

8. What is your biggest pet peeve?

9. How old were you when you realized you wanted to be a teacher?

10. Do you prefer salty or sweet things?

11. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you bought?

12. What is your biggest piece of advice to future teachers?


And, here are my answers...

 

1.  I think it would be absolutely wonderful to have the experience of teaching in another country (or continent)!  Since I was in 2^nd grade, it has been my dream to travel to Australia.  I would love to experience what it’s like “down under” and be completely immersed in another culture.  But, on the flip side of things, I do love it here in Colorado!  It’s nice to be so close to my family and friends, as they’ve been my support system through everything.  As long as I have kiddos to teach and am surrounded by loving people, I honestly think I’d be happy teaching anywhere!  J

2.  I used to be a stickler for wanting to teach

 just 2^nd grade since that was such a magical year for me, but with such a wide variety of experiences in each of the grade levels, I’ve realized that there is something to love about teaching each grade!  Each year, from beginning to end, it’s amazing to me how much kids learn and grow!  They grow academically, physically, and emotionally and it is such a wonderful experience to be part of their journeys.  If you create a positive, supportive classroom environment, there’s no limit as to what incredible things kids can do!   

3.  Each and every one of my favorite memories have been moments of realization… moments when I’ve laughed until I cried… and moments when I’ve cried until I laughed.  These are the moments that changed the way I look at life and serve as inspiration when times get tough. These moments are ones where I can truly say, “I am a teacher and I am proud to be making a difference!”    My hope is that you can experience these moments too (even though I’m sure you already have)!  Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions and I know that there is nothing that I’d rather be doing than that! 

4.  I'd have to say it's a tie between Chili's and Outback Steakhouse!  At Chili's, I love the chips and queso and their Guiltless Chicken Platter (I think they call it Magarita Chicken now)!  At Outback, there's nothing better than a well-done filet mignon steak and a Wallaby Darned (a yummy peach drink).  Simply MmmmAzing! 

5.  It’s a tie between 3 people… Paul Walker, Owen Wilson, and Hugh Grant.  Find me a guy with the perfect mix of those 3 and I’d marry him!  ;-)

6.  Hmmm… that’s a tough one.  I guess I’d have to say fear of failure.  I always put forth 100% effort into everything I do, but sometimes I fear that it may not be enough. 

7.  Everything!  Haha.  Only kidding.  Teaching is a very demanding job though.  It’s extremely hard to find a balance and not let the petty things get to you.  Every day presents a new challenge, but you must embrace it with a positive attitude and an open mind!

8.  Negativity.  When things change, it’s easy to react to them in a negative way.  However, it’s important to remember that change is something that cannot be controlled – it is a constant.  As my swim coach used to say, “You can only change two things in life… your attitude and your underwear!”    Why not control the way in which you react to change?  Since change is a constant, wouldn’t it be better to be open-minded and positive about it?  I believe that it’s important to lift up, rather than tear down the people who surround you.  Why not spread the sunshine everywhere you go?  J

9.  I’ve always wanted to be a teacher since I was really young, but my dream first began as a marine biologist.  I absolutely loved dolphins and wanted to know everything about all the creatures that lived in the ocean.  Whatever career I chose, I knew that it had to be something where I could help other people or animals.  It wasn’t until high school when I started spending lots of my time volunteering in local elementary schools.  This is when I realized that I loved working with kids!  It was amazing to see the excitement these children experienced from learning and working together.  I knew that this was something I wanted to be a part of.  I wanted to make a difference, just like all the teachers I had met were doing, and just as my teachers had done for me.  This is when I knew that teaching was 100% the right choice for me!   

10.  If you know me personally, you would definitely know the answer to this one… SWEETS, of course!  J  I get made fun of all the time at lunch because of my “little kid palette.”  I’ve even created a daily feature called “What’s in Chelsea’s Lunchbox Today?” where I showcase all the items in my lunchbox and see if anyone can guess what I brought for lunch that day.  It usually consists of: fruit snacks, Dunkaroos (yes, they still exist!), cosmic brownies, goldfish, some sort of candy/chocolate for dessert… you get the point (Although, I have to admit, I am trying to be a bit healthier).  And, my favorite food, you may ask?  Ice cream, of course!  J 

11.  Good question… I can’t say that I really know the answer to this…  Assuming that what I won would be millions upon millions of dollars, and I would be swimming in cash (wishful thinking – I knowJ), I would probably buy some “basic” things like new clothes (a new pair of jeans, some work clothes, some workout clothes, etc.), a new laptop, and a document camera and projector for my classroom.  I would love to buy a plane ticket and travel to various destinations across the globe – Australia, Europe (Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Greece, Italy…), the Caribbean… the possibilities are endless!  All selfishness aside, I would give a good portion of my winnings to my parents.  They have been so supportive of everything I’ve done, so I would make sure that they’d receive a substantial amount to spend on whatever they see fit (eg. a new house, a relaxing vacation, etc.).  I’d set some money aside for my future children and then I’d donate the rest to non-profit charities that make a huge difference in our communities and schools. 

12.  I am a new teacher, but I still have a lot of advice… hehe.  First of all, find a balance.  Take time for yourself, friends, family, and work.  Enjoy every single moment and find something to smile about every single day!  I keep a notebook of all the funny things kids say to me and notes that they give me.  It keeps me going on tough days and always makes me smile and appreciate that I am making a difference!  J  Most importantly, don’t lose sight of the big picture!  It’s easy to get caught up in petty things, but remember what you are there for…. to inspire and encourage children to be the best that they can be every single day!  Always remember to keep moving forward and never give up.  Believe that you can succeed and you will! 

Now it’s my turn to ask some questions to learn more about my awesome bloggy friends!  Here are 12 questions that I would love for you to answer: 

1. What is one of your favorite books from your professional library? And from your personal library?  Why are they amongst your favorites?

2. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?

3. What’s your secret to motivating kids to learn?

4. What is your dream vacation?

5. What do you like to do in your spare time (all teaching aside)?

6. If you have a pet, what kind of pet do you have and why did you choose it?  If you don’t have a pet, what kind of pet would you get and why?

7. What is your most prized possession and why?     

8. What is your favorite song?  Does it have any significance in your life? 

9. What has been your biggest challenge so far in your teaching career?

10. What is your favorite grade level to teach and why?

11. What is your most memorable teaching moment?

12.   What is the single, most important piece of advice you would give to a new teacher? 

So… 

Heather @ Heather's Heart

Lori @ Conversations in Literacy

Tammy @ Forever in First

Ashleigh @ educationjourney

Kylie @ Miss Smartie Pants

Tag – You’re it!!!!  J 

I can’t wait to read your responses!  I hope that you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day spending time with the ones you love! 

~Chelsea