Emotional Damage - SOL - December 10, 2024

Today is one of those days in which I am seriously struggling. I can't seem to find JOY in my classroom as of late. Dysregulation and frustration are two words that can describe the atmosphere right now, and I am mentally and emotionally exhausted.

I'm trying my best to make it to Friday, December 20, at which time I will get an extended break and some much needed rest. But, I wonder if I need more than just a break and rest.

I keep thinking that maybe it's time for a change - grade level, school, district, career. Know that the grass isn't always greener on the other side, I sometimes wonder if it's just time for new grass?

I'm normally the upbeat and positive one on my campus, but lately it has been quite noticeable that I'm different. So much so, that a colleague from another grade level came to check on me this afternoon. I literally started crying while trying to explain how I was feeling. She had so much empathy, and really wanted to help me troubleshoot the issues I'm having. I appreciate her for that.

For the last few years, I have lived by the mantra that "I am education professional, and I can do hard things...well!" This is the first time in a long time in which I feel like I can't do hard things well. I honestly feel rather ill-equipped to manage the types of behaviors being exhibited throughout my day.

And, all of it makes me sad.

Thankful for Technology - SOL - Tuesday, December 3

I have a Sentence-A-Day journal that I use to write about things I am grateful and thankful for. I have not composed today's gratitude entry as of yet, but I will when I get home, and this what I will write.

 I am grateful for technology.

I'll explain why.

Picture it...Tuesday, December 3, 2024 in Arlington, Tx. a 2nd grade new students enters the classroom. He is a newcomer from Egypt and speaks ZERO English. Ok, not zero, because he can say, "No English" in English quite well.

Now, I know un poco Español; however, I know ZERO Arabic...yes, zero. 

But, enter technology.

Google Translate allowed my new student and I to communicate with very little misunderstandings much of the day.

To that I say, "Thank goodness for technology!"

Helpful Honda Days - March 2024 - SOLSC24

 Teacher Appreciation

North Texas Helpful Honda Dealers

   

I Know I'm Loud - April 9 24 - Tuesday SOL

Me: It's not raining. It's just cold.

Parker: I know. I heard you all the way down the hall.

Me: Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Parker: (Smiles as she walks to her car.)

Me: You can be honest. I am fully aware that I am loud. (Yelling toward Parker as she walks to her car.)

So, Here I Am - March 31 2024 - SOLSC24

So, here I am - 

the last day of March.

The final day of Slicing,

but not the last day of writing.

So, here I be - 

closing the door 

as one endeavor ends.

Open to the challenge as another begins.

So, here I go - 

celebrating this accomplishment.

Recounted slivers of my living story;

Excited to plunge into poetry.

5-4-3-2-1 Remixed - March 30 2024 - SOLSC24

I have always enjoyed using the 5-4-3-2-1 reflection prompts in my notebook. The prompts help me process the events of my week in conjunction with my feelings/emotions.

The prompts I normally use are - 

5 Things That Made Me Smile

4 Words That Describe The Week

3 Weekend Plans

2 Things I Learned

1 Goal For The Week Ahead

Recently, Leigh Anne Eck, who in my opinion is like a silo of brilliant ideas, mentioned learning about a remixed 5-4-3-2-1 reflection which she sliced about on March 29. 

I decided to give them a try myself. I feel like the new prompts helped me focus on the positive even though some of my week's happenings may not have been very positive.

5 Things I'm Grateful For

1. Jesus 

2. Books 

3. Notebooks 

4. Writing 

5. Teach Write 

4 Things On My Mind

1. Why I often feel down/low energy

2. Can I make Isagenix work for me? 

3. What do I need for me?

4. I'm tired. 

3 Things To Do Tomorrow

1. Host Time To Write

2. Serve at Crossroads Christian Church's Easter Egg Hunt

3. Meal Prep

2 Things I Want Less Of

1. Drama 

2. Hot Flashes

1 Thing For Next Week

1. Thrive!! Oh, and race packet pickup.

Today - March 29 2024 - SOLSC24

It is 7:43PM CST, and I had the day off. I had all the best laid plans of sleeping in, but at my age, getting up to pee twice per night is standard. When I did finally get back into a deep sleep, my husband got up and went downstairs. You'd think having the entire bed to myself would ensure sweet dreams. NOPE! He didn't take his phone with him, and though it was on vibrate, the 1,000+ buzz-notifications from his golf buddies kinda made it hard to stay asleep.

So, what is one to do? Get up. Go do some cardio at the YMCA.

Ensure my in-laws ate a hardy breakfast which my husband prepped before he went to his guitar lesson.

Gather the tax documents my mother-in-law asked my husband for 2 weeks ago.

Send some emails and social media posts in preparation for a writing thing I'm partaking in this summer.

Shower.

Eat Blaze Pizza...my new favorite.

Got get my in-laws food, because cooking just wasn't happening today.

Scroll social media while lying bed.

Get tired of lying in bed and remember that I had not written my slice for today.

Now, at 7:52, I am finishing this slice and wondering where the time went for my day off. I'm also rather impressed with myself. When I sat down to type this, I literally had no idea what I wanted to say. Turns out--I had quite a bit to say.

National Poetry Month - March 28 2024 - SOLSC24

 

Poetry

March, though not over, has been filled with writing daily blog posts that recount small slivers of my life.

April is days away and will be filled with daily poetry writing for Ethical ELA's #Verselove.

I just hope I can maintain the writing stamina.

Fight or Flight - March 27 2024 - SOLSC24

What do you do when your brain feels like it has been in fight mode all day long?  

• You laugh to keep from crying.
• You silently hand them their journal back with no response.
• You walk away.
• You keep teaching despite...
• You try to speak in a calm voice.
• You drive home on autopilot and almost have a fender bender.
• You bury your head in your covers and cry your eyes out.
• You take your dog on a 4 mile walk.
• You try not to cry again as your write this slice.

The Difference a Day Can Make - March 26 2024 - SOLSC24

 

Yesterday evening during journal club, I shared my experience of struggling to understand some of the poetry I read.

In fact, I wrote this in my journal: 

"I am currently reading two poetry books, The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace and Renewal by James Crews and One Last Word by Nikki Grimes. I so wish I understood or had some reaction, but I [often] don't. I love writing poetry, I guess my non-analytical mind can't wrap itself around someone else's poetry. I won't give up though; I'll keep reading and trying to find meaning in it for myself." 

After receiving some encouraging words, and kudos for choosing to not give up on reading poetry, I reread the first couple of poems in The Wonder of Small Things this morning. 

I was instantly moved by these lines written by Wendell Berry (The Peace of Wild Things):

"I come into the peace of wild things 

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water

...

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free"

These words remind me of coming into the peace of the Almighty who leads me beside still waters, whose grace is not of this world, but because of His grace I am free. 

Thank you M. for sharing how the imagery of poetry sometimes makes you think of Scripture. My non-analytical brain definitely wrapped itself around this words, and there was a reaction.

So Much More Rich - March 25 2024 - SOLSC24

Books

I literally just left a Zoom event in which a group of teacher-writers journaled together to a prompt about how books have impacted our lives. If you are familiar with the book, Be Kind to Yourself by Cindy Bunch, then you may know the prompt.

I love to read, and I find joy in Middle Grade Novels. I also love to read professional development texts that provide clarification or new understanding about teaching.

As you can expect, no one writer responded the same as any other writer. But, there were many "me too" moments as we each shared.  One of the main takeaways for me from this evening's journaling experience is one's reading experience can be made so much more rich when it involves others.  I can say I feel the same about my experience journaling with my Teach Write peeps tonight...so much more rich.

I Hate The Way They Cut This Tree - March 24 2024 - SOLSC24

I HATE THE WAY THEY CUT THIS TREE

Though I completely understand there are a plethora of reasons for trimming trees and removing branches, this knowledge does not eliminate nor change the fact the I feel some kind of way about how this tree was trimmed.

I'll assume that its growth had begun to impede upon the required safe distance between the branches and the power lines. 

Since this tree is located among the landscaping outside my subdivision, I am quite grateful that action was taken to remove the possibility of the adverse consequences associated with the communion of the two entities.

All the same, I was overtaken with sadness as gazed up and saw so much of this tree missing during my afternoon walk with my Princey-Poo-Poo. It looks as if it has been scalped or severely nicked while getting a haircut.

Saturday Morning So Far - March 23 2024 - SOLSC24

 SATURDAY MORNING SO FAR

Isagenix Cleanse For Life

Wobbles and Stretches

Apology Letter to My Daughter

Morning Medications with Rice Cake (Take with Food)

Every Day Dose Mushroom Coffee

Host Time To Write

Sentence-A-Day Gratitude Journal

Notebook

Reading, Responding to, and Being Inspired by a Couple of Slices

Encouraging students to write:

Coaxing and coaching a writer…

Writing and Posting this Slice

Today Was One of Those Days - March 22 2024 - SOLSC24

 One of Those Days

I woke up groggy.

I had brain fog most of the morning.

Students tested my patience.

I may or may not have kept my cool.

I felt stress in my mind and body most of the day.

I know that none of this is good,

but this was my day.

Opportunities - March 21 2024 - SOLSC

 Opportunities

A few weeks ago, I made the decision to do a thing.

I applied for a position in my district called Cadre.

Cadre is a team of people who work together to create curriculum.

No, I'm not leaving the classroom. 

I love being in the classroom. 

I love teaching at my school.

However, I have been teaching 2nd grade for the past 7 years.

I recently began to feel like I need a change...a need to grow in some way.

So, I see Cadre as an opportunity to learn and grow while still doing what I love.

I won't know for a couple of weeks if I've been selected.

But, I'm extremely proud of myself for taking the risk.

Things That Make Me Happy - March 20 2024 - SOLSC24

 A Few of My Favorite Things

Julie Andrews as Maria in "The Sound of Music."

20th Century Fox

"When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad"

My Favorite Things Julie Andrews

 I Love My Notebookes

Please know I have many more pens than this.

Washi Tape is my new obsession.

A girl can never have too many books of stickers.

Or can she? (LOL)

Books upon books upon books - some read and some to be read.

I have fallen in love with my Academic Weekly Passion Planner. Because it is primarily a blank canvas, I get to decorate the pages. This planner is the reason I have so much washi tape and stickers.

Popular Culture: BGSU - March 19 2024 - SOLSC24

 POPULAR CULTURE

University Libraries at Bowling Green State University

On the 4th Floor of the William T. Jerome Library on the campus of Bowling Green State University (Ohio), you will find a special library with a collection special things. 

As college student at BGSU, the Ray & Pat Browne Library for Popular Culture Studies was one of my work-study, on campus gigs. I worked a few hours per week to make a few bucks.

My fondest memories include checking students in who visited the library for research, sorting playbills, and wheeling & dealing as I moved the rolling stack shelving to retrieve needed items. Students were not allowed in the stacks. Fun Times!

  Library Rolling Stack Shelving | Compact Book Stacks on Rails System

Daily Intentions - March 18 2024 - SOLSC24

 Daily Intentions

Recorded in My Notebook

Early This Morning

1 Thing I Accomplished Yesterday: 

Most of the planned activities for the week.

1 Thing I'm Looking Forward To: 

Getting back into the routine to move closer to the end of the school year.

1 Thing I Will Let Go:

Allowing others to dictate my mood.

1 Thing I'm Grateful For:

My 2nd Grade Tea,

1 Goal For Today:

Rebuild Relationships with My Students

A Sunday After Spring Break Poem - March 17 2024 - SOLSC24

 It's Time to Get Back Into the Routine.

PLANNER

SUNDAY

Sunday is here.

That means Monday is near.

MONDAY

BRAIN

Getting mind and body in gear

To finish strong the school year.

LEADERSHIP

Spring Break Is Coming to an End - March 16 2024 - SOLSC24

 Spring Break Is Coming to an End

Bed

It is Saturday, March 16, and I have been on Spring Break since Monday, March 12. The week has gone by way too fast, but I did my best to enjoy the time off. The Friday before Spring Break I was sure I would do nothing but sleep the entire week; but, of course, that did not happen. "What did you do?" You ask. Well, I'm glad you asked. Let me give you a recap.

Monday

• Met with Teacher Pension to understand what I have in terms of retirement and get all my money in one place
• Time To Write Journal Club: I wrote about a rock.

Tuesday

• I was able to get a Doctor's Appointment to get my aching shoulder
• For some reason, such a burst of energy came over me that I cleaned our downstairs floors and baseboards.
• I wrote with my Time To Write Group.

Wednesday

• My weekly physical therapy appointment was already scheduled.
• I went to the eye doctor. Gotta wait 3 weeks for new glasses.
• I wrote again with my Time To Write Group.

Thursday

• Have brunch with a new friend at a great little coffee spot was the highlight of my day.
• Having my boobies smooshed during my mammogram was the low.
• I made it to Write Before Bed hosted by Heather.

Friday

• Getting a fresh haircut before going back to school on Monday and donating blood rounded out the 5-day week.
• My husband and I did our weekly grocery shopping to avoid the end-of-spring-break Saturday crowds.

Today - Saturday

• Taking my Princey-Poo-Poo to the Animal Hospital at 2:00 am was absolutely heartbreaking. Don't worry he's okay. But, we won't be buying anymore grapes.
• I had the privilege of hosting Time To Write early this morning.
• Then, I met with my book club to discuss the final chapters of The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips.

Tomorrow - Sunday

• Our family normally goes to church, but a follow-up at the Animal Hospital is required. 
• Hopefully I will find a way to avoid the Sunday Scaries as I prepare to return to work.