2016-2017 School Year Review

A few friends have started a blog/ written posts, which reminded me I haven’t even started on my list of posts I want to do!

I think Fairfax County is the last county in the whole world to get out of school. June 23^rd was the last day for students then June 27^th was the last contract day for us. THEN for the first time ever FCPS (Fairfax County Public Schools) will start the 2017-2018 school year before Labor Day. So, we have the world’s shortest summer break… Yay.

I finished my first full year teaching! The whole family survived. I am happy to report I will be going back and doing the same thing. For those of you who missed it, I’m one of the special education teachers in the science department at the local middle school. 

I have learned a lot this last year, and have seen that I have much to still learn. As someone who doesn’t like hearing “you need to do better at _____” it can be hard to accept. My mid-year evaluation was HARD. I came out read to cry, like any evaluation should be, I came out with a list of things I needed to improve on and one or two things I was good at. How could I have gotten through college and student teaching and still come out with this enormous list!? 

It was a hard reality to face.

But my great co-workers cheered me up, gave me more tips, resources, pep talks and sent me back in the classroom.

Some of the Science Department went to the Train and O.A.R concert 

The school year got a little easier as it got ready to whined down. But I immediately started to think about what I would differently next year. Would I use a different incentive system in the classroom? Would I use one at all? What order will I teach things?

And on the other side: What will stay the same?

I’ve been pondering on things that my role model teachers did. How did their classroom run? What about them helped me? What about them inspired me?

It’s been an exhausting and never-ending processes. But in the process, I have acquired some fun things… Like an awesome (and over-priced) Erin Condren lesson planner and dollar store science cut outs.

I’m excited (and slightly) terrified of what year 3 will bring.

The Closet Bar

Fight or flight.

When we face a problem, we do one of those things. But, it looks different for everyone. If I decide to “flight.” I get a Diet Coke, or a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and watch a movie, do a random Google search, or maybe even write a blog.

For fight. I feel like Rosie the Riveter, roll my sleeves and hit the problem head on.

Many of the household “projects” I have done. When something breaks in the house I like to figure out why and how to fix it. It's fun. I like using my hands and fixing things. Most recently was installing the grab bars in the shower. I drilled through tile people. Not gonna lie. I felt like a badass.

Glitter paint is great for marking tile

In crisis situations, I’ve never ran. I feel like I’ve seen it all (aside from death) seizures, heart attacks, chocking, psychotic breaks, etc. I jump in with both feet without thinking twice.

Now for work.

As my first full teaching I have had my share of flight moments. As my “roommate” (we share a room and teach 3 classes together) will tell you. I have had a fair share of flight moments. Monday mornings I avoid my laptop. I talk to the teachers, maybe I’ll go ask another teacher about a student, then the students start to show up and maybe I’ll stand in the hall and say good morning. Then I open Outlook and see the 20 e-mails waiting for me to respond.

Science Department. I couldn't ask for better co-workers! 

With SOLs (Standards of Learning, AKA VA state test) coming up in May I’m feeling the pressure. We must get through X amount of material, review 3 years of science, and practice how to take these weird tests. I want to go into flight. I want to spend my prep and class time watching Bill Nye and Magic School bus while hiding in the corner. But can I do that? No. So, I must pick myself up and buckle down.

Bill Nye the Science Guy AKA my hero

And with all these decisions, we all have a breaking point. We can only fight for so long. Then we eventually sit down and wave the white flag for a break.

M white flag

This past week has been spring break. Kelli and I went to Charleston, SC with a friend and Troy went to Montana to see his family. It has been Kelli and I since last Saturday, and it will be till Tuesday. 

Carriage tours in Downtown Charleston, SC

The usually day-to-day things are easy for us. Today Kelli and I went to the church Easter party, then an Easter performance in Washington DC, Costco, then I mowed the lawn. I was tucking Kelli in and suddenly, the closet bar fell along with all her nice dresses. Kelli jumps up and yelled “Uh oh Mommy!! We need to fix it!” All I could do was stare at it. Really?

The now pile of clothes that was hanging nicely

This is my white flag moment. I surrender. The closet bar wins tonight. I’ve fought all day and all week. Now I’m going to drink a Diet Coke and do a random Google search.