Let The School Year Begin!

The new school year has finally begun in Southern Georgia. The kiddos (and mommy) have started a new year. I am beginning my 13th year of teaching and I have already set several goals for myself for this school year. The first one is to be on time to work. This is something that I will admit I have slacked on in the past due to the insane back pain (also 3 kids do not always cooperate in the mornings). The next one is to do everything I can to help all three of my children be successful....not a helicopter parent...but an active one in the classroom (as much as I can given that I work in the same school as my kids). The third and most important one is to not let anyone...and I mean anyone...interfere with my faith in Jesus Christ and stand strong in what I believe. A fourth goal is to try some new teaching techniques in my classroom. I am quite inspired by the work of Brian Mendler. I feel like his classroom management is what we need more of these days in education and furthermore, if we began to use his practices, we'd reduce a lot of the teacher shortage, but for now I will leave that soap box alone.

I am amazed I was actually able to get all of my children dressed in their favorite character clothes, posed with their "first day of school" chalkboards, and actually snap a great photo! There's a first time for everything, that's for sure!

Many of you may not know that my oldest has ADHD. He insisted on holding Rex (the Bearded dragon) in this picture. It has been an ongoing battle to get my son's medication and school schedule regulated. This includes all the paperwork we can get to have him receive the supports he needs to be academically successful.

My middle child loves Spiderman and also loves to help everyone. He is also very smart and loves math and Spiderman. My youngest told me she's going to be a ballerina teacher one day, but that first she needs to take lessons and learn to become a ballerina...very matter of factly.

The first week went by smoothly....until day three...where my little heathen children decided to leave their bathroom faucet on all night....causing major flooding in the house....and me taking off of work on day three.....and I kept them out of school as well to clean up their mess with me. It's important to teach responsibility early!

We made it through the first week of school and all of us are off to a good start! Signing off for now!

- Jessica