Why we need to remember

I think we live in a time where we don't remember the past (as much) as we are thinking toward the future.I am one of those people. I tend to imagine my future and all the opportunities at my feet. I try and stay ahead.But, today is a reminder to stop, pause and remember.Memorial Day is not for barbecues, mattress sales, and no school, although they have become synonymous with this day.Today we remember those who fell while protecting the lives of people they never met.Those from way before we (or even out parents/grandparents) were thought of.Those chose to serve, when we chose our own path into adulthood.Those who we will never know their name, face, or story.Remember them. Thank them. And never forget.

Try, before you are ready

I had an interview a few weeks back.I wasn't ready for it.To be honest, the spring before school lets out is an insane time for a teacher. But, this is a once in every two year chance so I went for it.I was way out of my comfort zone being the only secondary education teacher there with loads of agriculture industry professionals from executive directors, managers, business owners and more.I wasn't ready for it, but I tried anyway.Have you ever heard the saying "If you wait until you are ready to do something, you'll never do it."Kinda reminds me of parenting, if my husband and I waited until we were ready/prepared/all knowledgeable about child rearing we would NEVER have kids.You just do the best you can, say a prayer, and hope for the best.We should do more of that, we should encourage our kids to do more of that.When was the last time you tried something new, exciting, and frightening and you knew you weren't ready for it?Can you remember?I bet the outcome was either (A) amazing, indescribable, exhilarating or (B) terrible, not what you expected and never trying that again. Outcome (B) isn't bad, you LEARNED something right? That is what life is A-L-L about!Let's keep doing things we aren't ready for, I truly think that is where the amazingness happens. And don't forget to get your kid to too!So TRY, before you are ready.

End of the year ideas

I feel like the last few weeks of the school year are a marathon sprint.Doesn't make much sense eh? Well, I mean that it seems SO LONG, but you have to get everything done in record speed, like a marathon sprint.So, to help you out. Here are a few ideas you can implement quickly and easily during this crazy end of the school year season!Check out FOUR end of the year ideas below (some with links)!ENJOY!COURSE REFLECTION PAPERYup, a course reflection.Why? The kids give you their honest opinion (seriously, high schoolers don't hold back) and you can keep them busy with a great activity that reminds them about all they learned AND in turn you get feedback on how to improve your class next year...I'd say that is a win win!Do it anyway you want! If you need help, click below for my COURSE REFLECTION PAPER resource that I use EVERY year with my classes.SAE PRESENTATIONSI know a LOT of you do this already.I absolutely love learning about students SAEs at the end of the year, especially with my newbie aggies.I have my students do a three-day long expo. They all have to present their SAE to the class, but can choose to so a SPEECH, HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATION or a FAIR BOARD.The kids choose what feels right for them.Click below for access to the free document I share with my kiddos!TEACHER 1-on-1 MEETINGSI have seriously LOVED having teacher 1-on-1 meetings with my kids. Just this week I met with a student who in January wanted to get a job and I helped her with the application, then in March we met and she had gotten the job and her first paycheck. Then this week she told me she got a promotion! How amazing! I love seeing that growth.Even if you haven't met periodically with your students, you could have a end of year meeting just to check in with them. I really think this builds rapport with your students and allows you to really engage with them.Check out the Teacher Meeting Sheet I use. Feel free to make a copy and edit for your needs!AET RECORDBOOKSIf you use the AET, you can easily have students turn in a complete record book report for part of their final activities in class. Students will have to ensure that they did SAE descriptions, plans, time investments, pictures, captions etc. Once completed the AET makes a PDF for them that they can print and give to you or submit as a PDF online. Easy peasy! Added bonus, this allows you to evaluate who looks like they are getting to the point to submit a proficiency or state degree!

Quick How To-Review Prize Boards

I love review games.Especially ones that are EASY to implement, like my new favorite QUIZLET LIVE.But, let's be honest, it can get boring quickly. Kids are excited at first, but a game only takes a few minutes max. We need more time to review, and more student buy in!Enter REVIEW QUIZ BOARDS.SUPER SIMPLE, Create a board with numbered boxes on it. I started with 50. When a team won quizlet live, students came up to the prize board (seriously, just a sheet of paper) and signed their name in ONE box. Then I repeat quizlet live for as long as needed (bonus tip-change teams every time, have them try it silently, have them try a quizlet live relay etc. to keep up the excitement). When I am done. I pull up a random number generator 1-50 and pick a few numbers and the kids who picked those numbers get a PRIZE.EASY, NO MONEY INVOLVED, EASY TO IMPLEMENT IDEA!Try it out!Let me know how it goes!

Pockets full of joy

Around 5:45 a.m. most weekdays I sleepily walk into my local Pure Barre studio, I am immediately greeted by name by one of kind and fierce instructors.I grab my ball, tube and weights and head to my spot at the barre, front left corner with the tiny sliver of mirror.For the next 50 minutes I strive to be as crazy strong a Giselle, as hilarious as Danielle and as poised as Haley when I am working by butt off.This is a small pocket of joy in my life.While watching Queer Eye the other week this quote stood out to me."You have to create little pockets of joy in your life to take care of yourself."-Jonathan Van NessI am not sure I could love that quote more.In my early years as a teacher, I didn't have many pockets of joy for me.I was a newly wed, in the new town (and state), struggling with my content and students. I had no outlet. I had my wonderful husband, but nothing for me. And then my sweet daughter was born, who brought joy and let's be honest more stress at times. Before she turned one, my husband deployed for over 7 months. I was solo parenting, solo teaching, and surviving on grocery store sushi and popcorn. I also made the big move to Georgia all without my husband. Still no pocket of joy. I was happy, successful, and had a good, very blessed life. But, no pocket of joy, and I FOR SURE didn't take care of myself.It really took until early 2017 that I finally started realizing if I am not going to prioritize myself, who will? Answer nobody. I needed to take care of me, before I could be the best mom, wife, and teacher I could be.Slowly I added little things that provided ME joy, pure barre, my Thursday night women's small group, volunteering at church, and slowly my cup began to fill.Can you put your hand in a pocket of joy when you need it. Do you know that one thing that lights you up when you need a pick me up. Do you feel like you can't or don't have time to do this?As a mid-career (what? I'm in my mid-career, how'd that happen?!) teacher, I urge you to find yourself. What brings you joy, and make that a priority in your week. Remember you cannot pour from an empty cup.Wanna chat about your pocket of joy? Let me know! Bonus points for an awesome hobby you can teach me :)