"I just can't be quiet..."

Day 7
 I am thankful for a young man whom I shall refer to as "Tim." Tim is currently in 8th grade. He had some classes with my kiddos last year, and a couple this year. I have a girl who has a difficult time going to her classes sometimes. On those difficult days I end up taking her to her classes, and it is a struggle to get her to go in. One time I was luring my chickadee in by going into the room myself and beckoning to her to join me. She eventually came in, but would not go to her desk. Tim came over and started talking to her, asking her how her day was going and offering to take her to her desk. He was being so sweet with my girl! This wasn't the first time that Tim has been so sweet with her, and he is always so genuine with her.

 On Friday we were having another difficult time going to class. I was standing in the doorway of the classroom with my chickadee when Tim looked up and saw us. He immediately came over and put his arm through my chickadee's arm to take her into class. She went with him and went to her seat. my heart was warmed by the knowledge that someone was there to look out for my chickadees.

 I saw Tim between classes later that day and stopped to talk to him and thank him for his kindness. He related to me that he has heard people making fun of my chickadees, and that he can't stand it. Tim wants to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. He said that last year he was bullied and teased a lot, and "I just can't be quiet when I hear it happening to someone else." It broke my heart to see the tears in his eyes as he related this to me. Tim is such an amazing kid, and he is taking on such a big role! I am so thankful for his willingness to stand up for students who can't do it themselves. He is a voice of kindness when others would poke fun. I know that he is not alone, and that everyday there are students just like him who are standing up for what is right. I am thankful for each of those people! To Tim, thank you for taking one worry off my mind. It is hard to send my chickadees out into the world, but knowing that you are there to help them makes it a little easier. Tim and I didn't get to chat long yesterday, and we both left the conversation a little teary-eyed. This young man has made such an impression on my heart! Thank you Tim, for not being quiet and instead choosing to be the voice! You are awesome!

Are you laughing at me or with me?

Day 6
Today I am thankful for a good sense of humor. Life can be pretty crazy sometimes, and I love to see the humor in it. I'll be the first to admit that I don't always find the humor in the situation right at first, and I don't mind having it pointed out to me. I am thankful for the opportunity to laugh, smile, and generally have a good time. I also love when I find people who have a similar humor-oh the fun that is to be had then! Laughter truly is one of the best medicines! My chickadees have me laughing everyday, which is part of why I love them so much!

Tomorrow

Day 5
 Today was a bit of a rough day, to put it mildly. At one point I was sitting at my desk and wondering what I would blog about tonight, what was there to be thankful for from today? The thought carried over to the drive home. That was when it hit me: today I am thankful for tomorrow. To quote one of my favorite people, "Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet." Tomorrow is fresh, new. Tomorrow is not a reflection of today-it stands alone. Today wasn't the best day ever, but tomorrow could be! That is why I am thankful for tomorrow! "Just thinkin' about tomorrow clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow..." I am thankful for the lessons of today, and the opportunity to use them tomorrow.

Bedspreads and Thermostats

Day 3
I am thankful for a comfy bed at the end of the day. I know that I am blessed to have a bed and blankets when so many do not. It's a little thing, but I don't think that I've ever acknowledged my bed for the true gift that it is!


Day 4
Today I am thankful for warmth. Every morning I get to brave the elements as I wait on busses with my kiddos. 15-20 minutes isn't long, but it can be super chilly! It's so nice to go into the warmth of the building. I also enjoy that cozy feeling when your car heater finally kicks in (4 blocks before you get to work!), towels fresh from the drier, sweaters, scarves, blankets wrapped tightly around you... The warmth is such a great thing that I am thankful for!

What's in a home?

Day 2
 Home is a special word that conveys more than walls and a roof. A home is where your heart gets filled. Home is where you find love and laughter. You can be yourself at home, and the people there love you regardless. At home you can lift and strengthen others, or be lifted and strengthened yourself. Home smells like baked goodness. Home can be more than one place, and with multiple people. What matters is the feeling there. Today I am thankful for home, and more specifically, the place where I come from. It's always so nice to get to spend some time at home!

Cheerleaders

November has descended upon us, and with it comes one of my favorite traditions:30 Days of THANKSgiving. I really enjoy the opportunity to really think about what I am grateful for, and to share it with you!

Day 1
I am thankful today for my cheerleaders. I participated in a 5k race this morning and I had the three cutest little boys there to cheer me on.  They came complete with hugs and signs that said "Go! Nanny! Go!" It was so cute and sweet to see them there cheering me on at the finish. The best part was watching Cole chase down his dropped sign. It was evident that he took his sign holding job quite seriously. I am grateful to have a family who are always there to support me and cheer me on.

A Letter to My Students

Dear Chickadees,

 I have had the most amazing honor given to me this past year: the chance to be your teacher. As I accepted the position my mind began to fill with the things that I would teach you, and I began to plan and prepare. I came to the school and saw the programs that were in place to aid in your education, and I worked those into my plans as well. I had dreams of the places we would go, the mountains we would climb, the dragons we would slay, the unconquerable feats we would conquer, and I would be there as your fearless  teacher. During the course of our adventures I quickly came to realize that more than me being your teacher, you were mine.

From the moment we first met you have inspired me. Life has dealt you some heavy blows, but every day you work through them and you don’t let life put limits on you. You have willingly followed where my dreams have taken us, and on more than one occasion your dreams have led the way. Together we have accomplished so many great things!

As my students you have given so much to me, the greatest of which is the heart of a teacher. I thought I knew what it meant to be a teacher when I walked through the school doors, but now after a year with you I am beginning to see and understand what I didn’t know before. Being a teacher is more than using the skills they taught me in my college classes. It’s more than having a lesson plan, and more than class management. Being a teacher is knowing your students and what they need. It is loving your students in a way that only a teacher can. It is celebrating the successes with you, big and small. It is working through the frustrations of learning together. It is learning and growing together. Being a teacher is being able to make mistakes and laugh at myself. The university may have given me a piece of paper stating that I am a teacher, but you made me a teacher. 

As the first class of my career you will forever hold a special place in my heart. I will not forget the lessons you have taught me, and I consider myself lucky that I get to continue to learn with you and from you next year.

Until August,

Your Teacher