Back to School is tough...so are you!

Greetings from an educator who is exhausted just a little over a month into the school year! I have transitioned to a new position this year and while that comes with its own adjustments, throw in the usual back to school craziness and I'm running on fumes! I've seen the meme tons of times comparing the beginning of the school year to childbirth; excruciatingly painful and yet give it enough time and you forget all the pain, ready and willing to take it all on again.

The truth of the matter is, Back to School time is tough. Yes, seeing a fresh pack of crayons excites me far more than it should but that doesn't negate the fact that things tend to get a bit crazy as the year starts. Teachers are often dealing with classroom changes as students get moved around, new curriculum programs or at least new instructional expectations...and of course these teachers have a life outside of work too.

I've said all this to say, I needed this reminder and maybe so do you. The beginning of the year often brings a unique set of challenges. Know that you've survived this season in previous years and will continue to do so in the present.

And if you happen to be a new teacher who as not survived this season before let me encourage you by saying..You too will survive this. You are tougher than the challenges you are facing. You are in your current environment for a reason. And you will succeed because you are meant to leave a positive impact on the future generation!

Here's to a great year guys!

Hello New Opportunity

I started this summer like any other; making to do lists, devouring books I wanted to read during the school year, etc. But I had an itch to look for something more.

Fast forward  to about a week ago...

I saw a job posting for a math coach position in my county. I absolutely love math and have my instructional coaching certificate. However, I was also lined up to be grade level chair again next year and had a lot of other things I was looking forward to at my current school. I applied and prayed on it. Well the day after I applied I was contacted for an interview and a day after that I was offered a job! I was so excited, but also a little torn. I have wanted to try coaching since 2016 when I got my certificate. But my team! My future kiddos! The struggle :/

Based on the title of the post I'm sure you can tell, I accepted the position. It just felt right. The timing worked out. My principal was so kind and helpful, my new principals seems awesome. I have a lot to look forward to and some new challenges to prepare for. This new position means no students of my own, a different type of daily schedule, far more interaction with adults & much more.

I am looking forward to how this will grow and develop my skills as a teacher & instructional leader. Stay tuned for the journey and please provide any and all tips!! Thanks!

Leadership is calling...

When you think of leadership in the field of education, what comes to mind? Often, initial thoughts are superintendents, principals, anchor teachers, etc. However, leaving out the everyday classroom teacher or ESP is a common oversight. Teachers and those involved in the everyday process of educating children are all leaders in some sense. They wake up everyday and head to school knowing their actions are viewed by hundreds of little eyes. They know the decisions they make daily could greatly impact students and their future. This is the beginning of leadership.

Viewing yourself as “just a classroom teacher” does a great disservice to your skills and expertise. Our career field requires constant professional development and a commitment to lifelong learning. When you see colleagues stepping into positions of leadership understand that their journey was probably very similar to yours. The next teacher leader in your hall, building or leading community could be you. I had the amazing pleasure of attending NEA’s Leadership Summit in Denver this past March. I had become more active in the association over the last year but viewed myself as “just a teacher”, not quite a leader. While there I was reminded that leadership is a continuous journey. And as we know every journey begins with a first step.

“Each of us has a leadership journey and a role to play” NEA’s President Lily Eskelsen Garcia informed us in the opening session of the summit. It is up to you to reflect on what your role will be. Will you continue to succeed and shine as a classroom leader or ESP? Perhaps you are considering growing your skills and moving in to a more formal leadership position like administration? Regardless of your goals, move confidently knowing that you have what it takes to become that leader. You know what is best for students and public education because you are present day after day.

President Garcia

Now I wouldn’t be doing my duty if I didn’t mention that the local association is always looking for up and coming leaders. There are so many opportunities to use your skills and talents locally or even work more closely with the state at TEA.  We as teachers know what education needs but we need to be a part of the conversation. Speaking up through your organization is an excellent way to find yourself as a leader.

My Voice - Update

I still can't believe the amazing opportunity I am getting to run my student activism program "My Voice". 

We just had our 3rd meeting last week and the kids are truly blowing me away. They are so committed to doing the work and becoming young activists. During our first meeting the goal was to teach students what activism is and how they could become one, even at a young age. At the next meeting we started to discuss what students are passionate about and why these topics are so important to them. At the last meeting students began to zoom in on a topic they will develop an activism project around. Topics have ranged from homelessness and stray animals to bullying, smoking and even depression. To see these 4th and 5th graders so focused and intent on making a change in their world is really inspiring. I hope I am helping them develop a passion for speaking up and making a change.

And as a side note, I am loving working with TechTown to hold our meetings. Such a fun space!

I am looking forward to what they create for their projects. I am also looking forward to them sharing their knowledge at our student showcase in May!

Teacherpreneur and Student Activism

Back in October  I participated in something called the Teacherpreneur Incubator which "offers teachers support, time and space to incubate big ideas and execute them in the best interests of their students and their profession". My big idea was a student activism program focusing on upper elementary students. 

After working on our ideas for about 8 weeks we  had a big pitch night in front of 300 or more people. Even though I didn't win I still received funding for my program! It was quite the experience.

As we roll into January I am excited to get my program "My Voice" started! I have permission from my principal to run the program in my building. I have networked with my former school and have received permission to partner with them as well. I worked with a graphic designer to finalize our logo and prepared student materials over the last week.

Student applications went out today after teachers showed student a brief informational video about the program. Student interviews will be held next week and the first meeting of the program will be at the end of the month. I can't wait to see what my students are capable of! More to come soon.

Teaching and Breastfeeding

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Teaching can be hard enough as is but balancing such a busy career and breastfeeding can be overwhelming! When I went back to work after having my son I knew I wanted to keep breastfeeding but I also realized this meant pumping at work. I want to share some tips and essentials that make pumping and teaching a little easier. 

Tips

1. If you plan to pump when you return to the classroom discuss these wishes with your administration before returning from maternity leave. I had a meeting with my principals about 2 weeks before I came back. You don't want to wait until the day you return to have this conversation because there may need to be some tweaking to your schedule and it could take time to get it all worked out.

*It may be difficult to figure it out but they are required by law to accommodate your need to pump! For me, I pumped during planning and recess last year. I hated missing planning with my team everyday but they were very supportive and kept me in the loop. This year I plan to pump during lunch.*

2. Fill in your teammates. My team was all women so it wasn't too awkward but it was helpful for them to know what was going on and why I was having to step away. They also helped me develop a code phrase to explain my absence when necessary. Any time I had to pump they said I was "Sharpening Pencils" lol

3. If you haven't already pumped while at home you should have a couple practice rounds to make sure you are comfortable getting everything set up and working. It will definitely be harder when you're in a less comfortable setting and possibly dealing with time limits.

4. Order a few extra sets of your pump essentials. For my spectra pump I ordered an extra set of bottles, flanges, tubes, backflow protectors and duckbills. I got SO tired of coming home and handwashing parts EVERY NIGHT. Having at least one other set is crucial to your sanity.

I have had great experience ordering official parts through Lactation Connection. 

5. Although dresses tend to be my go-to outfit pumping in a dress can be a little strange. Since you have to fuss with your bra and get all hooked up you could end up setting around half naked while trying to get situated. It's easier to dress in pants and a top, so go shopping! :)

6. Get a curtain to cover your window in your door if pumping in your room and make sure the room is locked! Maybe even consider a sign on the door.

So those are my main tips from my experience. On to my pump bag essentials...

Pump Bag

So here are my essentials for pumping everyday. My Spectra S9, my spectra bottles fully connected & lids, hands free pump bra, burp cloth (that smells like my baby!), wet/dry bag with staging mat, cooler bag and ice pack. 

The cooler bag is what I bring back and forth daily with my milk. The other materials like the bra, burp cloth and pump stay at school Monday - Friday.

This is my actual pump bag. Pretty roomy.

I bring some breastmilk bags just in case I forget bottle parts or lids. Lansinoh is my favorite brand.

Gotta have some snacks!

My pump doesn't need to be plugged in but I keep the charger just in case it dies during the week.

I don't have to wear breast pads daily anymore but I bring them just in case! Once again these are Lansinoh brand.

This is the awesome Haakaa suction pump. I bring this just in case I forget parts of my pump and still need to get some relief.

This is a nursing cover/car seat cover. I don't typically wear a cover but I bring it just in case.

These storage bottles were helpful when I pumped twice a day and had to pour the first round over to re-use my pump bottles.

These pump wipes were crucial! I didn't have access to a sink easily.

My Routine

In the beginning I pumped twice a day at school. Once during my planning period around 10:45 am and once during recess around 2:50 pm. I would pump in the morning, pour my milk into a storage bottle, clean my parts with pump wipes, dry them and put it all in the fridge (milk and pump parts).

Then I would pump again in the afternoon, put lids on the spectra bottles and put my pump parts in the wet portion of the wet dry bag. It all went back in the fridge until the end of the day then I brought it all home. 

Now I plan to pump once during my lunch break since my son nurses less often now. We shall see how it goes.

So, that was a lengthy post but I definitely want to help any other teaching mamas that plan to pump/nurse. Any thing I didn't address? Any tips you'd like to share? Please do!

Back to School Thoughts (& Freebies)

It's the last few days of June. I still have the entire month of July to enjoy my summer break. So what's on my mind...planning for next year of course!

When it comes to classroom décor and set up I am a fan of the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy. With that in mind I will be utilizing the same general colors and theme (or lack there of). I have black backgrounds on my boards with rainbow colored borders. This way it is easy to incorporate whatever color of baskets or other accessories I find. I actually left my bulletin boards covered. *Here's hoping it is still safe and sound when I head back into my room next month*

Teacher Tip: I cover my boards with fabric so I don't have to worry about fading. I bought a cheap set of sheets from Walmart!





Part of my décor includes little motivational signs spread throughout the room to keep students thinking positive. I have made these into a freebie and posted them in my TPT store!

Click either to check out the set in my store.

Another thing I've been thinking of is how to keep my students engaged and entertained those first few days as I am sorting supplies, correcting my roster  and greeting parents. With that in mind I created a set of activities I can use to keep students working independently while I get my life together. :)

Grab them in my store before your first day!

And in case you need a little more to prepare for the first day, I got you covered!

Keep learning, whether you're at school or home, with this fun word search from Education.com! Learn even more with these great educational reading games.

Answer key found here :)