1. Always keep it fun: I must remember that this is not an obligation, it is a choice. I can blog as much or as little as I want (though secretly I hope it is a lot)
2. Make connections: I would love to connect with other teachers from anywhere and everywhere to share ideas and a passion for this wonderfully crazy job!
3. Inspire: If even one of my posts sparks an idea for just one person out there, it will be worth every second!
SO, there we have it. I'm going to check back on my goals periodically and see how well I am doing. You'll have to help keep me on track if I begin veering away from time to time. Now, lets talk kindergarten! How much fun is it?! I mean seriously! I feel like a kid again everyday. I think that is why I love it so much. All of my favorite childhood memories are centered around books, holidays, and fun. These 3 things are so wholly integarted into my job that I literally have the best time doing it! I have been teaching kindergarten for 3 years now. WOW - totally can't believe that... I guess what they say really is true, time does fly when you're having fun!
A Quick Trip Into My Past
*I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri with my wonderful older sister, Amanda (who is also a teacher - 4th grade - totally different teaching universe than mine) and my magnificent, incredible, marvelous parents!
I really had the best life a kid could ask for, full of: love, hugs, food, support, excitement, comfort, toys, fall leaves, snow days, and a fireplace. Gosh, I miss that fireplace. One of my besties (also named Amanda) gave me a wood wick candle for my birthday last May that stopped. my. world. So recently I bought a wood wick candle with 3 wicks (!!!) from Target and the smell is "Bonfire Nights". I light it next to my bed when I watch TV everynight and I swear it feels/sounds/smells just a bit like the old days. If you have not yet been introduced to the world of wood wick candles, you must go out and buy one. They are life changing.
Oh geez, I'm already digressing! Pull it together Khrys. Let's move on...
During my sophomore year of high school we moved to Tampa, Florida. Not at ALL what I was expecting, but I made it out alive. My sister transferred to FGCU in Fort Myers and I followed in her footsteps! We lived together all through college until I graduated a few years back with my education degree!
The history was probably unnecessary, but I feel like I can move forward now. ONTO TEACHING! I entered into my first year of teaching 2 months into the school year. I interviewed at two different schools, one of which I was really hoping for and the other I was a bit iffy about. OF course, I got the job at the school I was unsure of. Boy was I wrong, it was the best thing that ever happened to me! I love my school so darn much. It is full of amazing people and feels like a family. I also met my bestie there, a fellow kindergarten teacher. We bring each other up in this world :) My first year of teaching was absolutely INSANE! Unbelievable really. The class had quite a few (ahem... 8 out of 18 to be exact) children with behavior problems and I was fresh out of college, picturing rainbows and butterflies. Imagine my surprise on the first day, walking in with only a Starbucks to keep me sane and a completely skewed vision of what would actually happen. Needless to say, by the end of the first week, we had 3 ruthless brawls, 2 bloody noses, and 1 suspension. Now keep in mind, THIS IS KINDERGARTEN!! I was floored. Sheesh! I cried just about everynight and didn't know if I was actually going to make it. The next week (Ok fine, I'm lying. It was more like a month of the self-pity, then this...), I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and told myself, "Khrys, this is it. You're either going to do this or you're not. If you're not going to do this, then just get out now. If you are going to do this, let's pull these kids together and make it happen." Guess what? I did it! I brought that group together in a way I never thought possible. By the end of the year we were some sort of misfit, renegade family. To this day, I still have them stop by my room every morning to give me hugs. It made me feel so empowered, like I could do anything! Looking back now, I am so thankful for the experience. I know that year prepared me for anything. After that year, I was anticipating another crazy year, but I was wrong! My second year of teaching was absolutely INCREDIBLE! My kiddos were little angels. We all got along so well, like we were meant to be together. Every single day was filled with fun, laughter, and love! We just had a blast together. That year is filled with some of the best memories that I know I will carry with me forever.
Look at my little ones at the end of the year! So sweet!!!
Then the second year comes along and you are a bit more prepared, still experimenting to see what works and what doesn't. Then the third year arrives! I have experienced every behavior problem in the book and how to handle it, I have seen which methods/activities work and which ones absolutely do not, and I have witnessed the incredible growth that students can make in just one short year. I am so excited about this third year! I walked down the first grade hallway the other day and saw student work posted outside the rooms. I welled up with tears as I scanned every single piece of work, reading the amazing stories my past bitty ones had written. This year I hope to gain more knowledge and experience to become an even better teacher next year! I am by no means a pro yet, but I do feel more confident in my abilities, having seen the amazing little learners I helped create! So here we go, into the future! I hope you'll join me in this journey and help me grow! There is so much to learn, and that my friends, is what sparks the fire in my heart. Take my hand and let's work as one to ignite our passion onto others! Thanks for reading, I hope you'll come back again and check out what happens as my year continues!
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