Tag: students

Begin Again

First, HAPPY NEW YEAR!  We’re having a very lazy day here at the RBTL casa. I hope you and yours are doing well. 2017 has arrived!

I found the below post in my drafts; I have no idea why I didn’t publish when I composed it but, hey, Lyme Brain here so cut me some slack. Anyway, it actually seems appropriate for today, on our new, shiny bling bling, January 1, 2017. And BTW, I still most definitely recommend the movie Begin Again. 

A date aroundish August 22, 2016:

First, have you seen this movie, Begin Again? It’s one of those you pick up thinking, eh, it might be OK. I’m not usually a big fan of Kiera Knightley but I am a huge fan of Mark Ruffalo. Anyhoo,this movie is great!! Check it out if you have some time. You won’t be disappointed. Promise.

So, I’m back at work, but without students. As teachers, we have 2 weeks of professional development before students are back. For the past 15 years, usually this is only a week but our school calander for 2016-2017 has changed and so, this is happening. 

So far, it’s been great! It’s always nice to see everyone after an extended break and to also see friends from other schools. My favorite interaction so far has been seeing my very awesome and wonderful first team leader. This lady. She amazes me with her skills and kindness.I love to see her because it brings back those sweet memories of when I began my teaching career 15 years ago. And while I’m sure she is at a point she can retire, she told me that she has no plans of doing such because she loves her work. She LOVES her job. Now if that isn’t inspiration, I don’t know what is. 

Teaching has brought so many gifts to me it’s hard to count them all. I was, shall we say a little late to the game, in that I worked outside of education until I was about 30. Honestly, I’m glad I waited and did some things not related to education. Those other skills, customer service, managerial, have served me very well as a teacher. And it’s always a nice comparison to have when the going gets tough. 

Anyway, as a teacher, I always feel like it’s the New Year right about now and for our profession, it is. We prep, we make resolutions and goals, we plan. And we get to do this with a group of people who are all on the same page. The energy and the collaboration going on is pretty amazing.

Are we idealistic? Yes.

Are we filled with eternal hope? Always. Our students deserve it. We deserve it. 

Starting the year off right.
Source: http://www.pixabay.com

P.S. I wish you all an amazing 2017. Let our shared journey around the sun Begin Again. Throwing lots of love out to you and into the world – B

Back to the Grind

So after a very relaxed and unproductive summer, that is unless you count watching gobs of Netflix and Hulu shows inspiring – as I do – I am back at it! No more waking up at 9, sipping on java and reading blogs, moving on to light housework then a long summer nap/rest/ Candy Crush marathon! Yes, while other teacher friends bragged about traveling and completing ultimate house projects, I “did” Lyme time as I like to refer to the time I spend healing.

I’m not sure how much I accomplished in Lyme time, besides maybe adding a few pounds to the 8 I have already put on during this recovery. However, I can say that the fatigue is lessening as are the headaches, both good signs as far as I am concerned!

Starting back for me was August 12th. We had 3 staff days that week and 4 staff days the following week. I survived because I had a day each of those weeks to catch my breath. But this week was the official first week of school for students as well. Starting off strong, I managed to get through the first few days juggling all kinds of things, including 3 separate preps for my English classes. But by yesterday, I was wiped. Now, I am up because I may be over tired? Not sure. Anyway, I’ m proud that I survived the first real week Of school, and I am grateful forsuch a kind and courteous group of young people. While I am apprehensive about my health and holding up day to day, I am still looking forward to growing relationships with my new group of students this year. After, 14 years of.teachning, I sure do love it!