Questions/ponderings for the first day of school...

Do I have my computer? =)
Do my shoes match? (kids teasing can be ruthless!)
Will my height be an authority advantage over my kids?
What will their first impression of me be? (I wear my emotions on my sleeve--especially fear!)
What will my first impression of them be? (and will it change drastically throughout the year or are your first impressions usually right?)
Will my "inspirational" first-day words truly invest my students?
Will my very first lesson (in which I actually do have to teach content) be executed effectively for a great start to the year?
Will I get the students everywhere they need to go on time?
Will I be thankful for my lunch break or wish I could be with my students instead?
Will I look at these students as my babies (really BIG babies) from day 1, or will it take time?
Will I open my arms to them from the first minute, or will I appear stand-off-ish?
Does the Lake Forest t-shirt I'm required to wear really say, "Let's get down to business!"
How will I tell most of them in a motivational way that they are currently unable to read a 4th grade book (or even a 3rd grade book)? (do they even realize that?)
Will I be able to stay mission-minded above all things?
The bottom line is...
I don't know what will happen the first day of school, and maybe I don't really want to know because perhaps I wouldn't even change anything.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philipians 4:13

The next food network star??

Have you ever had one of those moments where you actually came up with a really good thing? Whether it be an invention, a plan for a new business, or something simple like a really good recipe, it feels so good to get that little sense of accomplishment. I can't say moments like these happen often for me. In fact, I don't remember the last time I actually came up with something I felt would contribute to the world in some small way. Well, tonight I am proud to say that it happened! You see, I love to experiment in the kitchen. I love to play with flavors that aren't combined in any recipes (that I know of...). Let me give you some background into my current situation. Aaron and I have been blessed and our needs have been provided, but we haven't exactly been eating like royalty. But on Saturday, we went grocery shopping and found some great deals. We sort of just bought a hodge-podge of "luxury" ingredients that led to no particular meal. Last night, we ate some fantastic steak and salad (both close to expiring so we got a great deal). Tonight, though, there was no turning back. Aaron said he was hungry, we went exploring in the kitchen, and "Voila!" A beautiful meal was born. It started with some instant brown rice and a bag of frozen vegetables. In 15 min, I had created a beautiful stir-fry (vegetarian even!) that was unique and delicious. I started with the vegetables and a little oil. The "moment" came when I opened up the spice cupboard (always a great idea if you're bored of the same ol' same ol'). Within 5 min, I had added garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper, soy sauce, and my 2 secret ingredients: curry powder and orange juice. With no rhyme or reason, I dashed away at my new creation. While this was good, I added sweet peas and a little more spice. Delicioso! Then I cooked the instant rice in the microwave. When it came out, it seemed so bland. So what do you do with bland?? Fry it! Now we had fried rice and I added our soon-to-be-expired eggs for a perfectly Shogun-approved show. Add some soy sauce and a little garlic salt and our meal was complete. Layering the new-recipe veggies over the not-so-bland rice created a delicious dinner that cost us about $4! It just goes to show that when you think you have nothing to eat, you probably do. Give spices and fruit juice a chance! So there it is...you may be skeptical, and that's okay. The point of all of this is that I'm proud of my accomplishment. This blog is dedicated to my mother-in-law, who I can only hope to be as wonderful of a chef as she is (love you mom!). At least tonight, I think I made her son proud.

Gearing up!

As I'm sitting here reflecting on the process that we're learning to create meaningful goals and unit plans for my school year, I am thinking about all the things I admire about the teachers I've had in the past. I think that in order for me to truly be an effective teacher this year for my students, I need to spend some time reflecting on what they did that made them so great in my eyes. I remember in Kindergarten, I forgot to bring something for show-n-tell. I was a fairly creative child, at least I like to think of it as creative and not odd. I was looking all around for something I could show, and I noticed that my shirt had a very sparkly button. My teacher called on me and I proceeded to show and tell the class about my sparkly button. Did my teacher stop me? No. Did she tell me I didn't have anything to show and that I needed to sit down and remember to bring something next time? No. She let me share. I can't believe I still remember that. While I don't really remember much about 1st grade, my parents do. That was the year I learned to read. It wasn't magic. Miss Steiger (now Mrs. Wynn) didn't wave her magic wand over me and I just got it. I can only imagine the strategic planning that went into teaching me life's most important skill of reading. Phonics, comprehension, engagement, spelling, and the list goes on. Thanks to Ms. Undernehr for keeping me on the learning track even when my mind was distraced on the dreamy Bradley Ward. Even in 2nd grade, I was a little boy crazy. Now I'm proud to say that I worked as a colleague with Ms. Undernehr, and she looks exactly as I remember her back then. In 3rd grade, Mrs. Nugent figured out our interests. If anyone knew what a 3rd grader likes, she did. I remember the day she brought in a special guest who brought snakes, and we actually got to hold some of them. From that moment on, I've always been interested in snakes and can't wait till the next time I get to hold one. In 4th grade, I remember reading Hank the Cowdog with Mrs. Menardi. It was the first chapter book I actually remember reading, and I couldn't put it down. Even in 4th grade, she read out loud to us every day and I can't wait to do the same in my own classroom. Now here I am, a 4th teacher. It's hard to believe that these teachers were able to make something of my hyper, talk-too-much, boy-crazy self, but they loved me. I remember that more than anything. They took the time to get to know me and form relationships with me. Because of each year with them, I was able to grow as a learner and eventually graduate from college. Why I chose teaching? I'd love to say that it was all because of them. But that wouldn't be entirely true. When I decided to become a teacher, it was because I felt confident in my ability to do something that I am passionate about. Teachers are the foundation of that. When I walk into my classroom in 2 weeks, I hope that I can find out what my students are excited about and show them all that they can accomplish. I know it's cheesy, but isn't that the most important thing? To help the child believe they can do whatever they want if they push through. Thanks for reading through my thoughts, and thank you to all teachers who push their students above average and help them succeed.