Taking Root

Stay true to your roots, but don't forget to allow

your branches to grow wide and your leaves unfold to the sun.

Time allows roots to grow deep.

Underneath the surface, the roots tell so many stories.

They reach far and wide, become interconnected, and help to provide the tree with life-giving water and minerals.

They help to anchor the tree and provide a networked base.

Roots are incredibly important.

Roots are also incredibly hard to yank out of the ground.

They are stretched.

They are torn.

And so am I.

I have deep roots.

With my colleagues.

And my school.

And the only job I have ever known.

I'm taking my roots and transplanting them.

And some of my roots will be left behind.

It will be hard to move to a new, sunny spot. 

To a new plot of grass.

To a new point of view.

But I will take root again.

And I will grow.

I will continue to engage, inspire, and lead  ~ allowing my branches to grow and my leaves unfold to the sun.

Stay tuned for updates on my new journey as K-5 Teacher-Librarian (media specialist), working with students and teachers while combining two of my passions ~ reading and technology! 

Blogiversary :)

I hesitantly clicked PUBLISH and off they went........ my thoughts into the unknown.

My blog started a year ago, May 25, 2014, and ever since then I've been on a reflective journey.

It all started with my first post, "A Summer of Learning"  as part of the #10summerblogs challenge on Twitter. This group was made of both seasoned educational bloggers as well as newbies like myself. We supported one another with feedback and comments and learned some great new ideas along the way.

Since then I've dabbled in other challenges and written posts about my classroom, educational experiences, and professional learning that has taken place this year.

It has been a great journey and I will continue to walk down this reflective path by posting my thoughts, celebrating my learning, and sharing my voice.

My Summer "Vacation"

“Unless you do something beyond what you've already mastered, you will never grow.”

– Ronald E. Osborne

Summer Flowers

Summer can be a time of relaxation, rejuvenation, and time to learn new things. The summer breeze will blow, and just as quickly it will be over.

In the meantime, my calendar is filling up with various activities to keep me going! Here are the ones I've penciled in so far.....

*Participating in Technology and English-Language Arts Curriculum work
        It's always interesting and exciting to be a part of the team that looks at our curriculum more closely and makes adjustments to our plan, assessments, and activities. I helped with the math curriculum last summer, so I'm eager to participate in shaping the vision for tech and ELA this summer.

*Two days of planning with Building Leadership Team for next fall
       Our building's leadership team will be looking at how we can make an even bigger impact on student-parent-teacher relationships & communication as well as instructional practices during the upcoming school year. We will be meeting two days to put some plans in place for when we return to school in late August.

*Model Teacher meeting
        A training day will be held this summer for the current model teachers across the district. We will learn more about our role and how our work contributes to successful student learning as well as our collaborative role with other teachers and student teachers.

*Reading Class
       To continue my own education as well as impact the future generation of readers, I'm planning on taking a 2-day class about reading. I've already read 3 out of the 5 books that will be discussed in the class and look forward to the conversations and new insights I will gain during that time.
       
*International Literacy Association (ILA) Conference 
       I'll be attending the national conference of ILA in St. Louis, Missouri along with other educators from my building and district this summer. I'm looking forward to this great opportunity to learn from many experts!


On the personal side.......
*Cheering on my daughters at their swim meets this summer and keeping track of their schedules (swim, work, camp, ACT, and more!).
*Hoping to take a vacation (or two) sometime, somewhere...
*Working on two scrapbooks for my daughters

Personally, I have a big year ahead with my oldest daughter being a senior this fall so it's definitely time to get the to-do list created and some things lined up ahead of time. It will be a summer and year to remember.

It's Appreciated

Feeling appreciated.....

sometimes it's a smile, a handwritten note, or a hug.

Students have their own way of saying "Thank You" and no matter what form it takes,
it leaves me feeling appreciated.

Flowers from students during Teacher Appreciation Week

Some snacks from my 4th graders. Did they all get together
and decide on cereal bars? :)

Best Teacher certificate made by a 4th grader
& Starbucks!!

So thoughtful. :)

I'm grateful and honored to receive extra thank-you's this week during Teacher Appreciation Week and it reminds me why I do what I do. It's for the kids!

As much as my students and families have shown their appreciation this week, I also feel an appreciation for them! They bring me smiles, amaze me with what they can do, and teach me new things as well.

So here's a shout-out to all the great teachers out there ~ my near & dear colleagues, my own teachers from years ago, and all the other teachers & educators I've met along the way.

Thanks - it's appreciated. :)