Never Eat Soggy Waffles

There are many ways to remember the cardinal directions.  Me, personally, grew up with the sentence 'Never Eat Soggy Waffles' (North, East, South, West).  I am well aware that nowadays there are many more options such as: Never Eat Sour Watermelon, Now Edward Screams Wildly, etc.  The list could go on and on.  I, however, choose to teach my students in the way that is familiar to me.  Because lets just be honest, they learn better in the way that I learn best.  Maybe that's a selfish way to think...  Promise I'm just trying to make them successful though!

Anyways, we covered the unit on Maps & Globes back in the first week of school.  Yep 16 weeks ago.  Not to mention 14 years ago when I learned this in school the first go around.  What I'm getting at here is that my kids know their cardinal directions.  And today, in front of all 30 plus my co-teacher, I made it clear to all of them that I have yet to catch on.

We are now studying the Explorers, specifically Henry Hudson.  We were reading this AWESOME book as I tried to be the proactive, effective and engaging teacher that I am...  I pulled down the world map and directed all eyes to me.  I placed my finger on England and as my co-teacher reread the directions taken I traced my finger up to Greenland.  As she said "But their voyage began to take a turn toward the North East", I moved my finger in that direction.  

Or what I thought.

As I confidently showed the class the direction in which Hudson sailed I heard eruptions of my students saying things like: "EAT." and "Wrong way." as well as "North East, Ms. Peters".  

I looked at what I was doing and sadly, could not figure out what they heck they were talking about!  I turned around and looked at my co-teacher and she said, "North East" with her sweet smile she often gives me that is overflowing with compassion and understanding- I know it far too well.  I turned to my eager students and simply said:

"Just wanted to make sure you guys knew which way to go."

And turned back towards the world map to hide my bright red face.

Top 10 For December

Back when I was in the prime of my blogging career the posts I looked the most forward to were the ones I would do at the beginning of each month.  I created lists for each month of things I was looking forward to.  See here for the first one ever.  And another one, if you're interested.  I'll stop now... You get the point.  

Now for this month's list; Drum Roll, Please........

1.  Going to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens for the walking Garden Lights, Holiday Nights tour!
2.  'Winter Holiday Break'- aka Christmas Break as I use to be able to refer to it as.  2 whole weeks of nothing but sleeping in, bundling up and no work.
3.  A sweet sorority sister/great friend's Winter Wedding!
4. For my girl MoBat to be back in the good ole States!  She married herself a Man of Honor and is now stationed across the pond in Germany but is coming home for the holidays!  Basically, I can't wait to be able to talk to her at any given time for 13 days straight.
5.  Meeting Samuel Wesley Hunt.
6.  The smell of Christmas trees, the magic of white lights and sitting fireside at N. Holly Lane, again and again. 
7.  Trip to Birmingham.  Where my heart still resides. 
8.  Sipping on my Big Train Vanilla Chi Tea that is on the way to me.  Every two months.  Thank you, amazon.com Subscribe & Save AND to my wonderful co-worker/great friend for introducing me to this sweet nectar. 
9.  Attending the Hope 4 Christmas Party and visiting Brensha at her new work!
10.  Time well spent with family from here, Charleston, Conyers, Indiana and Kentucky; with friends both old (gotta love holiday time simply for reunions) and new; and loved ones on a daily basis.


What are you looking forward to this December?

Stand, Salute, Pledge

Every day, every school in America (or at least I hope so) participates in the same ritual.  A ritual that is cemented with truth and grounded in honor.  

We all say The Pledge of Allegiance.

At my school, we not only participate in that ritual but we have the same ritual each day as to how it is presented.  We are asked, via a newscast (how legit are we?!) to Stand, Salute, Pledge; then we immediately begin the sacred pledge that my 4th graders have now been doing almost daily for 5 years now.  You're familiar with it too, I just know it.  

You'd also be familiar enough to know that when asked to Stand, you would stand.  When prompted to Salute, you would put your hand over your heart.  And you'd pledge your allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, upon hearing the words Pledge. 

Today, on the 71st day of school, I caught one of my sweet, sweet students Standing and Pledging however, he was saluting in the literal act, the one meant to show respect. With his fingers on his forehead, palms down.  Much like he was a member of the Army, reporting for duty.  

Just to paint a picture for you.... Not my student, but certainty what he looked like this morning.

Just another day.  No big deal. 

Got My Groove Back

I've been in a new job for awhile now enjoying many things anew.  I often think about my sweet blog because Beauty in the World shows itself to me in many ways every day.  However, much like Stella, I got my groove back today!

I am ready to rededicate myself to this blog.  To share the ebb and flow of my life.  To paint a picture with words of what my day to day journey looks like with all 7 of my followers.  

To catch you up on me:

I am a teacher.  A proud teacher of 30 4th graders who drive me up the wall but at the same time remain the driving force to help me continue what I'm doing.  They are my inspiration, my joy and are working on my everlasting nerve.  

And they make for good stories.

Not to mention, I'm now engaged to a wonderful man.  He is completely Rad (as I will refer to him on this blog)- better than any of my dreams could have ever dreamed of.  So there's some inspiration in there too.  

And of course, there is now Pinterest.  Enough inspiration to make me a virtuous woman that can cook, clean and iron.  

_________________________________________________________

Now, to the incident that led me to my Groove.  Today during Writer's Workshop time block,  sweet Hudson the young, athletic, caring and popular 10 year old asked me how to spell 'obnoxious'.  My sass overcame me and blasted sweet Hudson smack in the face.  

"H, U, D, S, O, N".

He looked at me and blinked.  And said, "H?"  Blinked again.  And I just sat there with a smirk slowly creeping up my face.

Hudson then said, 'Oh.  H, U, D, S, O, N.  Hudson.  HAHA."

I'm still laughing, needless to say. 

I proceeded to spell out obnoxious for him and we moved on to bigger and better things regarding our Realistic Fiction writing.  

And if you're curious to know, I just asked him if he liked what I did earlier.  He said, 'Yeah, Ms. Peters.'  I then granted him permission to use my joke whenever he'd like and he quickly responded with, 

"Oh I am.  I'm using it on my mom as soon as I get home."

Yep- I'm molding American's youth.

Reflections

I have occasionally been guilty of using this blog as a tool to write about my job.  Yes, I've told stories that are easy to laugh out and stories that make my job seem almost unbearable.  If I'm honest though, I don't write enough about the things I like about my job.  And now is the best time to do it.

I like-

• The times when my students recognize how legit I am. Not in the, 'She's a legit teacher' sort of way.  More like the, 'She's legit all around' sort of way.  Like in this scenario:

During an Algebra I test, these freshman guys decided they wanted to discard their work.  So, the shoot it into my basket.  And miss.  Just like every single male figure that has ever tried to make a trash basket shot in my room.  I swear, never seen more poor hoop skills before.  Anyways, I see this as a prime opportunity to prove to them how legit I am and say, "Go pick it up and bring it here."

Them: "There ain't no way you can shoot in dat basket."

Me: "Oh yeah I can.  I'll show you up.  I showed Willie up.  Ask Willie!" (Willie was also in my room because he hangs out in my room pretty much all day... I don't mind it though for this reason- this said scenario had happened before in my room but I proved my legit-ness to Willie then)

Willie: "No, She can hoop.  She can hoop cud!  I ain't playin'."

I'll sum up this story real quick- I shot.  I made it.  They shut up.  I am legit.

I like-

• 
  Walking through the hallway in the morning in between all the students as they wait for the bell to ring and I ascend the stairs.  This has given me ample amount of time to work on smiling with my eyes, which is a personal goal for me.  I really enjoy this time because I get to see students that aren't in Special Education nor on the soccer or volleyball teams.  And, it's my time to impress these students by giving them my smile eyes, making them wish the were in Special Education or a member of either the soccer or volleyball teams so they could be graced with smiling eyes every day.  **Side note- that whole smiling with the eye thing isn't me claiming me to have the power to make people wish they could be around me, promise.  It's me just telling you to notice my kind eyes when I smile.  Seriously- it's been a personal goal for a long while and I would LIKE someone to notice!  Ahem, Nicole!**

I like-

• That I have met some pretty good friends here at school.  Being a first year teacher at a school where you know nobody or nothing about the city pretty much made me feel like I was a new kid at high school.  I never actually got to experience how that feels but if its even a tenth of what I felt like the beginning days here my parents will receive a hand written thank you card from me tomorrow.  I would consider a few of the other first year teachers here some of my dearest friends because they have been through this year with me.  I will never be blessed to work with 2 different departments again (Math & Special Ed) where the members are so flexible, accommodating and understanding of my severe lack of knowledge sometimes.  I ate lunch in the company of 3 chicks that I affectionately refer to as my "Lunch Bunch" that have me counting down the minutes to 12:22 every day.  I coached with some of the most fun and laid back partners ever, and will always keep in contact with them.  I attended a wedding of a friend and hosted a baby shower of another friend.  I am looking forward to more memories with the people my friends here for many, MANY, years to come.

I like-

• Being asked multiple times a day if I am going to be here, in this room, as their Math teacher next year.  Seriously- I don't know if these kids ask all their teachers if they will be returning next year but if not, something is in the air in Room 313.  Because I am asked, time and time again.  Particularly this week.  Even by the administration, three times this week.  Although it is potentially awkward, I try to void that and feel loved instead.  Because they are asking because they want reassurance.  And hey, I know how loving the grips of reassurance feel so I'd love to be able to grant them that security....

I like-

• Relationships I have built with my students.  In any interview I have ever been on it has never failed that I am asked the question, "What would you consider a strength of yours as a teacher?".  In order to avoid sounding cocky and run the risk of me thinking they aren't going to hire me because I made it sound like I was the bomb.com, I 100% of the time answer with something along the lines of this: 

What is a strength for me as a teacher is probably not your typical 'strength' but for me it works and it is important.  As a teacher, I work really hard to get to know my students on a personal level so that they view me as more than just a teacher.  That when they look at me, they want to succeed and meet my expectations because they don't just associate me with academics.  I know it may sound crazy but I work really hard to build personal relationships that are founded in trust because kids need that in a teacher.

That was a crazy tangent but now you know my philosophy on teaching.  And how my interviewing skills go... Pretty much just tangents after tangents.  Anyways, this year some of my favorite memories have been with my students.  Awhile ago I had to call a parent about a meeting she couldn't make and within our 1 minute conversation, she said maybe 3 words to me regarding the meeting.  What she did say more than 3 words about is something I will never forget.

She said to me: "You're new this year, right?"

me: "Yes ma'am." (fear was in my voice because I thought she was about to say something along the lines of 'It's obvious.' 'Clearly.', etc.)

Her: "My son has told me a lot about you.  He talks about you all the time.  It really seems like you are doing good things over there.  So I hope you keep it up.  It's just your first year but you're doing it.  So thank you, thanks for what you're doing for him."

All in all, there is so much more that I like about this job than what I don't.  And I hope that even through my complaining and my ridiculous stories you can see that I am thankful, grateful and glad to be at my current job.

Let's Say....

In the middle of his Algebra II final, one of my students turns to me and says:

"Let's say you're my friend.  But not really my friend, cause I mean like, we see each other in the hall but we don't really text no mo'.  Like you're my friend in the hallway but that's about it."

Me: "Okay....."

Him: "Okay.  So you're my friend.  And even though we don't text no mo' you give my number to another friend.  Now why would you get mad at me?!"

Me: "Um... Because I didn't want to talk to that person.  They probably annoy me."

Him: "No!  You gave them my number.  Now why would be mad at me?!"

Me: "Oh!  I like you.  I obviously like you."

Him:  Blank stares and nervous blinks.

Me: "I mean!!!  This friend is a chick, right!?  She, this friends, likes you."

Him: "Oh.... Yeah, she's a girl.  Thanks Ms. Peters."

Me:  "Yeah, anytime."

This is the day to day in Room 313.

I Passed.

I know I complain a lot and fail to mention the good things about my job....  But I went into education because I am people person and never wanted to sit at a desk all day.  I wanted to be in the lives of my students and I wanted to help the ones that sometimes have it hard, in regards to their peers or learning.  I went into Special Education because I 100% believe every student can learn and because I enjoy and truly love when I am able to help prove to a student that they can learn.

I just 'took' a math test with 3 seniors.  It was the HARDEST math test I have taken to date... Yes, I had the answers but was not provided with formulas or examples and I'm not about cheating because its ugly and an unattractive quality.  Each of the 3 seniors had to pass this test in order to graduate this Thursday.  At one point, we were all looking in the book for formulas and plugging in numbers to find anything but nothing was really working out to the answers.  We spent the entire hour and a half on that test.  They left and I felt defeated. 

One student, who has been in high school for 5 years now, is a straight up G, never smiles and is just one of those guys who looks real cool just came by my door with a smirk on and said:

"I passed."

I obnoxiously said, "You did!? Yay!" and started to cheer/clap for him.

He said: "I did."  (with an increasingly bigger smile)

I being to put two and two together and ask: "Wait... Passed the test or you know you passed the class....?"

"I passed the class.  I'm graduating."

Me: "AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  You. Are. GRADUATING!!!!" with obsessive claps.

And he smiled, gave me a nod and walked away.  Walked like he was practicing in his cap and gown, across the stage to receive his high school diploma.

Today I love my job.  Today I am celebrating with my 3 seniors who are graduating.  Today I am proud.  Today I am doing what I wanted to do as a teacher.  Today is a good day.

An Inadequate Post

It's been awhile.  A long while.  And I'm not even going to try to make up with it by listing off excuses such as I got way busy, my job got much more demanding or that since one of the largest natural disaster to date hit my current place of residence and completely destroyed my sweet college town I've been at a lost of words.  I won't justify my absence with my own personal problems. 

However, I often looked at my blog because I knew I had a good thing going there for awhile.  That I was good at blogging and that although it takes significant time, I had been able to find it.  And then as I stared at my blog, I would proceed to leave my homepage because I couldn't/didn't want to find something to start fresh with.  So yes, it's my own fault.  And yes, I had it coming.  And definitely, I am to blame.

But I am also well aware that running from things will get you absolutely NO where in life.  So for some reason I chose today to start fresh with again!  I know I have missed a lot, i.e. My list of what I'm looking forward to in the month of May.  And I also know that in this post, I said I would keep #10 as my only item if it still existed in May.... BUT I'm not going to settle!  Instead, it'll just become my #1.  So there.

1. (same as from March) Hopefully, maybe, my fingers are crossed for, finding out more stable plans for where I'll be and what I'll be doing next year....

2. Bachelorette Parties!!!!
3.  All my 22 IEP's being done.
4.  A new friend's baby shower!
5.  My dear senior friends high school graduation day!
6.  Memorial Day Weekend!  No plans, I just enjoy a good ole holiday.
7.  A Backyard BBQ Bash in honor of the soon to be Brittany and Jess Mann!
8.  May flowers!  Brought to us by April's showers...
9.  Spring cleaning...?  Well, not really the cleaning part.  More like I'm looking forward to sorting through all my things in order to GIVE to those in need.
10.  May 31st.  Because then school is over in the academic sense but not the I-still-have-2-more-days sense.

I'm sure you are all wondering about soccer season.  It has come to an end!  Am I overly joyed?  Nah.  Am I surprisingly sad?  Absolutely not.  Last night we had our make-up senior night game because the one scheduled was the night of the tornadoes... We had to make something out of nothing so we scrimmaged the teams (boys and girls) against grades.  Like, seniors verses freshman then juniors verses sophomores, etc.  It was original, that's for sure.  It was special, without a doubt.  And it was meaningful to everyone.  And that's about all that matters.  There was a mic and speakers set up where the girls enjoyed giving commentary the entire 2.5 hours.  At the end of the game, I got a special shout out:  "And a thanks to Coach Peters!  Thanks for carrying those water bottles (I was carrying 12 water bottles to the Coach's truck), you're doing it so well.  Thanks for being so fun and for always talking to us on the bench.  You've taught me so much about soccer."  I was shaking my head the entire time at her because I was embarrassed by carrying 12 water bottles, mortified that she called me out for talking during the games and ashamed that I had had such a terrible attitude this whole season when in reality, I enjoyed getting to know the girls and the game of soccer.  But no- I am not sad the season is over. 

This Friday, the Special Education teachers in our county are being monitored.  They have even named the day:  Federal Focused Monitoring.  We have been warned that if anything in our files is not how it's suppose to be and we are the 'chosen' one to be monitored, we will be cited and it will be mandatory that we come and present our case to the Central Office over the summer.  I have been warned but I ain't stupid.  I know that my case will have mistakes, I just know it.  I am a first year teacher and call me crazy but I didn't get my degree in paper work!  I am not an expert at what button to push or what box to check, NOR WILL I EVER BE OR DESIRE TO BE.  I am a passionate advocate for student's receiving Special Education services because I firmly believe every student can learn.  So, I will developed my IEP's and I will formulate appropriate accommodations and I will distribute those things to the specific general education teachers but I REFUSE to lose focus of the needs of my students because I need to go back and amend items and re-hold conferences.  It's just not needed. 

Whew.  That felt good.  Apparently I've needed to get that out.

As stated earlier, and on every news channel, Alabama was hit bad by a tornado.  If you're like me or if you simply have a heart of any size, you may or may not have decided how best you can help out.  Search no more!  These shirts are simply rockin' and I would get one even if 100% of the proceeds didn't go to tornado relief.  But they do!  Which made me buy 2.  Go get you 1.  Or a whole bunch. 



15 more days of school for me.  And if you are looking for something to pray about or a topic to send good thoughts towards, I'd really appreciate some about a job for next year.  Specifically in Atlanta.  Bless you

Ramblations.

There isn't anything in particular I have to write about but I have the desire to write.  So instead of wasting any more of time staring at a blank screen, I've decided I should just ramble.  Because that I what I am good at.  And I'm all about doing what I am good at rather than trying to get better at what I am not wired to do. 

- I really want a bike.  Preferably pastel yellow in color and in the Cruiser model.  But I also want to be able to ride in on trails and for long distances so I'm not sure a cruiser is the best fit... I know what I want though.  Looks kinda like this, minus the blue frilly designs....:

- I recently came across a link to something titled 50 Ways to Cope With Stress.  I clicked on it because I thought it would be legit, researched based itemized suggestions.  It wasn't.  But it was better!  Read it and add it to your to-do list:



- Our school went under lock-down (because the drug dogs were here, not for some sort of other scandal) the other day and I conveniently had 3 students in my room taking a test.  Three of the most different students you could find in any American high school, I promise you.  1 was a preppy, blond headed, blue eyed boy, 1 was a dramatic, 'punk' chick, and the last one was an athletic g from the hood.  We spent a good long while talking about everything from how he doesn't see the point in education because his brother graduated top in his class but didn't go to college and is making $175,000 working on the coal mine to how she doesn't see how cigs can be detected from the drug dogs if you are of age because she's smoked since she was 10, and how he has been to my high school in Georgia because he knew a guy that was Walton's star basketball player that now plays at North Carolina State and is their MVP.  The things you can discuss, debate and connect when you are stuck in a small room with 4 people baffle me.

-I just got out of a 2 hour long meeting with the Special Education department at my school. I have never been more certain that although I love teaching and I adore people with special needs and I believe in advocacy for both those causes, I do not belong in this profession. There is too much emphasis on paperwork and legal jarring and not enough focus on the student's and what they need not only in the classroom but in life. Maybe one day, and maybe one day soon, I'll be in a position where I am doing the things I love in this profession instead of worrying that I am going to get monitored and in turn, get cited for a careless error I made. Maybe.

-I am really looking forward to going home this weekend for Easter! My sister is coming home, I am going with my boyfriend to his hometown and my mom is making a big ole celebration meal for the greatest gift we were ever given- Life everlasting, forgiveness of sins and love that endures forever! Christ is risen and we are throwing a party!!! (And also because after this weekend, I enter the LAST week of soccer season!!!)

- We are having a lake house trip next weekend because we have all lived together the past 2-3 years (NB came in a year later) and this will be the last year we are all together. MB is getting hitched and moving to Germany, NB is going to graduate school at Clemson, RC is finding herself a career in Birmingham and me.... well who even knows. But we have never all 4 been somewhere together where we are just us. We've talked about it forever and promised we'd make it happen! I am SO looking forward to it. Rain or shine, it doesn't even matter. I am certain I will forever cherish next weekend's memories.


I guess I had more to ramble about than I thought... Until next time, friends!

Professionalism. Not My Cup of Tea.

In attempts to use my time more wisely or just to cut my amount of work into half, I recently wrote a letter to the parents of seniors I have on my caseload.  In this letter I explained that although their precious son/daughters would in fact be graduating in May, there are still some items that needed to addressed.  I wrote in such a manner that the parents should have no questions upon completion of reading, clearly stating the objectives left and what part they would play in achieving the desired results. I ended my letter with this as my last sentence:

"All you need to do it send it back with her and we will be good to go!"

I was as professional as they come.

One of my seniors came into my room today and said: "You know you wrote, we'll be good to go on that letter?"

Me: "Huh?"

Kid: "You wrote, we'll be good to go, at the end of that letter you sent home to my momma!"

Me: "Yeah... What's it to ya?"

Kid: "My momma read it and asked me if that was professional.  We kept saying 'we'll be good to go' all night.  Ha!  We'll be good to go, Ms. Peters!  You wrote 'we'll be good to go!"

Me : "I never claimed to be professional, okay?  I'm not a professional person!  Get off my case!"

Kid: "Yeah, I know that Ms. Peters.  I think that's what makes you so cool."

So in the case of Professionalism vs. Coolness, I roll with Coolness.  And in the case of my job description and what I dreamt about when I thought about being a Special Education teacher was always to be cool and never give off the vibe of professionalism to my students.  I am who I am, always.  No matter the case: interviewing, talking with parents, or in writing a letter there is no alteration to my personality.  If I was to act all professional and not throw in my personality, I would be giving false information!  And I have never been about lying, nor will I ever be about it.  I'm just about being cool.

Wanna Play a Board Game With Me?

Last night, my roommates and I got totally sucked into the show 'What Not To Wear'. I'll admit we do have some tendencies to become obsessive about certain reality shows, however; I can't recall a time in the past 3 years of living with them that we have intentionally sat down to watch 'What Not To Wear' like we did last night. We were captivated by many things on this particular show, such as: the extremely poor choice of clothes from the contestant, her childlike attitude towards all things mature, the way her arms were consistently locked straight out in front of her and her obnoxious high pitched voice. Needless to say, we were intrigued and in for the long haul. We must've tried at least 2 times to fast forward through the commercials using the DVR, just hoping that maybe somehow we had paused live TV at some point without any of use realizing it... It never worked.
At one point, when they were going through all her old clothes they brought up a clip of her in long jean overalls. Naturally, they (Staci and Clinton) made some sort of witty/hilarious joke about how it is never appropriate to wear long jean overalls and then asked her why she wore them. Her response was simple, pure and genuine:

"I wear them because they are comfortable. Because I am me in them. I wear them because I think that when people look at me in them they think, "I'd like to play board games with that girl.".

After laughing at her comment and repeating it multiple times throughout the course of the show, I have thought of how innocent her comment was. Although her claim to fame on the show was that she didn't care about fashion and had never worn makeup because both those things were superficial and fake, she clearly does care about what people think and how the view her. She wants them to want to play board games with her. So it got me thinkin'. Thinkin' about how it would probably be therapeutic, healthy and possibly very beneficial for me (and YOU) to know what you want people to think when they look at you.
When people look at me, I want them to think:


-She has her head on straight.
-She looks put together.
-She has a nice smile. (Working on smiling more and looking more genuine with it- smiling with my eyes)
- I wonder what she does with her spare time...
- That was nice of her to acknowledge me.
- Yellow is her color.
- I would like to be her friend.
- I am thankful for her.
- She has made a difference in my life.
- She really doesn't care what people think.
- Wow, she is fun!
- What a good friend/teacher/coach.
- She made me feel important.

I could go on. I won't though. Some of those things may seem trivial. And yes, some may even seem superficial or not honest. That I am trying to be/live in specific ways rather than by just who/how I am. But there is nothing wrong with trying and striving! I could have made it a more eloquent list but I jotted those items off in less than a minute flat so I know they are honest, real and sincere. I hope you do this too! Heck- I hope you do it and leave them in a comment for me! Please. I was right earlier when I said it might be healthy and beneficial for me- it will be for you too!

Oh, and another one to my list, because, honestly, who wouldn't want this thought:

-I'd like to play board games with her.

Monday.

Today started off poorly for me. But hey, it was a Monday morning so I should have seen it coming. I woke up at 4:45 to my dog making the noises she makes before she throws up. And she threw up at 4:46. After I cleaned up and she calmed down, we laid back down. But I lay awake. So, I woke up this Monday morning at 4:45. Also my right eye was so swollen due to the pollen I encountered on my balcony last night that it was painful to see and not to mention incessantly watering. And my left side sunburned legs were uncomfortably painful in any work appropriate garments. Needless to say, I said "I hate Mondays" a minimum of 4 times before the first bell even rang.
But just when the morning seemed it couldn't have ever gotten better, it did. Much like when you are running a race and think you'll never make it, but you do. Just like when you check your mailbox just for the heck of it not expecting anything but it is full to the rim of letters, magazines and goodies!
There is a student here (who will remain nameless but I will use the letter 'S' to personify the student) who has a special hold on my heart. I can't really explain it or give a specific reason to why S has such a high priority of my attention. It might be because S is on my caseload, it may be because S comes into my room multiple times a day just to say hey, it's possible that it's because S has shared S's life with me and in turn has touched my life as well. To me, it’s not really important why S is important to me and I don't feel I have to justify it to anyone because I am a teacher. And because I am a teacher, my students will be important to me. No matter what.
Anyways, I know a lot about S. I know S's home life situation, I know S's desires for life and I know S's struggles. I know how much S cares about family, education, jobs and the here-and-now. So when it came to celebrating the senior year rite-of-passage, aka PROM, I knew S would want to go but that S would have to make a lot of things come together for it to be possible.
Now, again, the logistics and details as to how this happened aren’t important. But I wanted to make sure S went to prom, with a date, and only had to pay for the essentials. So I did just that. I saw true gratitude and thankfulness from S when S found out about prom being taken care of. I felt genuine sincerity from S when S spent the majority of the day in and out of my room shaking S's head saying how I would never know the magnitude of thankfulness S had.
But none of this happened on a Monday morning. Nor at any time on a Monday. But it does lead me to this Monday morning.  S stopped at the doorway to say the usual 'Good morning' and lead into small talk. As I asked my typical 20 questions about the weekend, S eventually walked into my room and came to my desk and in the most sly and most sleek way slid a card on my desk upside down so I wouldn't see that it had my name on it. Luckily for S, I may be obnoxious and a stone’s throw short of usually caring about calling someone out, however I knew S was trying to play it cool. I knew this because 1. My aide was in the room and 2. I am awkward when it comes to giving people stuff that shows any sort of raw and real emotion. After it was slipped on my desk, S quickly exited my room without looking back at me once.
I waited till I knew S wasn't coming back. I opened up the card and held it in my hands and read it underneath my desk so nobody would see it, in respect of S. I've debated what excerpt to write on my blog or how to briefly summarize it. But I've decided against both those options because I feel I wouldn't be giving Monday the kind of treatment it deserves! That I may be shortening someone else out of changing their ...monday... into a Monday. So to whomever reads this, may your case of the Monday's turn into a case of it’s-closer-to-Tuesday!



The card:
"Most great people have something in common: they all have at least one person in their corner who believes in them. I'm sure I'm only one of many who admire and think the universe of you.
I hope you can draw endless energy from knowing that wherever you are, whatever you're going through, there will always be someone to count on.
There will always be someone somewhere wishing the best for you, rooting for you in spirit.
There will always be someone who thinks of you, cares for you, loves you.
That someone is me. -D. Derrick Barnes"

Thanks,


S.

A Real Coach

The boys and girls soccer team's practice at the same field everyday.  The boys on one field and the girls on the other.  Yesterday we played on the same field.  In a scrimmage.  Here was the deal:

For every goal we (the girls) scored on the boys, the boys had to run 5 miles. 
For every goal they (the boys) scored on us, we would shake it off and keep on trying.

The boys scored within 1 minute.  As I watched my girls barely try, slowly jog after the ball and laugh about it after it happened I let my annoyance/fury show by yelling across the field "If ya'll aren't going to try we can just stop now!".


**They didn't astound me with their effort after that or even really come close to scoring.  But I will NOT rant about that here.  I have exhausted all my engery on the subject.  (The head coach and I decided that today at practice they will not even touch a ball because of their as of recent poor attitudes and weak attendance/effort at practices).**


A Varsity boy soccer player just came in my room (in the middle of the block) and quickly told me that I finally look like a real coach out there. I said, confused and caught off guard, "What the heck are you talking about?"  And as he walked backwards towards the door to return to class he said, "Yesterday.  When we scored and you yelled at them and said something like 'We can just stop now if you aren't going try!'.  You were a real coach.  And it was awsome!".

I guess I've made it as a high school assistant soccer coach yesterday at practice. 
I guess I should probably quit now while I'm ahead, eh?

March On to April

I made a list in March of the things I was excited about for the month.  And whereas some of things I accomplished and enjoyed, some of the items are March-ing On to April as well.  So, without further adieu, here are the things I am looking forward to in April:

1. April showers (because they bring May flowers but first the flush out pollen!)
2. Easter and the sweet flower cross at my home church
3.  My room mate's birthday (April 19th)
4.  KT's birthday (April 18th)
5.  Sweet Ash's birthday (April 20th)
6.  Lake house trip with my roomies!
7. Soccer season.  ENDED.
8.  Crossing off each day on my calendar at school and then fist pumping the sky while whispering the number of days left that are so conveniently numbered in the top left corner of each box.
9.  Finishing all 22 of my IEP's.
10. (same as from March) Hopefully, maybe, my fingers are crossed for, finding out more stable plans for where I'll be and what I'll be doing next year....

If #10 is a repeat in May, my list will only have 1 item.  Take a wild guess at one it'll be.

We Got Spirit, How 'Bout You?!

At the beginning of the school year, new teachers were assigned clubs to be the sponsor of.  I, however; was not put on the list.  (Yes, in hind sight I see the awesomeness of that but at the time I was an eager first year teacher who wanted to be involved, get to know more students than just the Special Ed ones and not feel left out).  So I volunteered myself to help the 2 new teachers put on the Rocket Club, aka the school spirit club.  And if I'm honest here, I will go out on a limb and say that although our club is a joke I might just be one of  the best thing that has happened to spirit here in this run-down little town!

Anyways, the club is a joke because when we meet on the First Tuesday of every month, we do nothing but sit in the cafeteria and make small talk with our social groups.  I had grand plans of each meeting involving poster making, electing officers and the school being filled with the spirit of my clubbers!  But I lost all that go-get-'em juice approximately 2-3 months into the school year.  I did accomplish what I said the club dues would cover:  designed a rockin' t-shirt that has the 'famous' pep-rally chant on it, purchased maroon and gray shakers and face tattoos!  Then I quickly peace-ed out of any responsibility.

Today is the first Tuesday of the month.  And when I got my reminder event email yesterday, my eyes tricked my brain into reading "Event Cancelled".  I didn't even question anyone, I just made a mental note that I was off the hook for this month!  I even told a student today when they walked into my room to ask if we'd be doing anything that "We aren't doing anything because its cancelled!".  I should've looked into it when the student thought I was crazy but I just told her "I have the email, you want me to pull it up to prove it?!" (Should have followed through with my sass.... Then this whole entry would be null and void).

So, I am on the phone with my insurance company trying to figure out how to get the best bang for my buck for a new pair of eye glasses when I hear the assistant principal get on the intercom and announce the clubs that will be held today.  And because I am the world's WORST multi-tasker I can't hear her nor the nice helpful man on the phone telling me what I could have paid if I had just done some research...  The bell rings, I quickly and respectfully get off the phone (I just finished a survey with the company giving him my 2 thumbs up in hopes he won't have a horrible rest of the day due to my urgency) and call my co-sponsor to see if Rocket Club had been listed. 

It was.

Now, I normally don't have any plans for the club to do but I at least have a nice new print out of the members and who still has yet to pick up their spirit pack but instead, I grab a Manila folder to make myself feel like I am legit and run like I am not on the 3rd floor with a skirt and high heeled boots on.  I get to the cafeteria after most of the club has and sit down with Jennifer.  Almost immediately, a student asks what we are doing today.  When I look up to give her a sass answer, I see an administrator.  AN ADMINISTRATOR IN OUR ROCKET CLUB MEETING!!!  Seeing as though this is the one time I actually have nothing prepared with me, I say "Start a chant!  Now!".  Luckily, this girl was a confident, fun and spirit filled-girl who smiled real big and went back to her table.  Within minutes, she had her entire table participating by either dropping a sweet beat on the lunch table or throwing a line about the Rockets!  It was kinda hard to understand, which may or may not be a good thing, but it grabbed the attention of everyone in the lunch room, even the I'm-a-senior-and-too-cool-for-anything table! 

Whenever I hear a beat, I can't help but tap my feet, swing my shoulders and wave my hands like I just don't care! And that I did.  In front of 9-12 graders, a teacher and an administrator.  Once that particular table finished, they said some mumble-jumble that 'challeneged' another table where a weak little cheerleader tried to express her love for her school but when that failed, the first table just did it again; as another administrator joined the party!  When they threw it back one more time, the cheerleader (who is also a soccer player and had been showing her I'm-a-senior-and-too-cool-for-anything table how I "cheer" at the games) yelled: "Throw it to Peters!".  And they did.

My friends, it was thrown and it was caught. 

If you know me AT all, you most likely know that I will not and can not throw down a challenge, especially when it has to do with spirit and/or potentially making a fool or myself.  So, Ms. Peters, the teacher but at the time clearly actin' a fool instead, said (while I move around like I am straight up Will-I-Am rappin'):

'We got spirit, YES WE DO!  We got spirit, HOW 'BOUT YOU?!'.

Yep.  That's what I said.  Out of anything  I could have said or done, I shouted back the lamest chant there is because my club was being monitored by 2 administrators and I had a room full of students staring at me, expecting me to deliver.  And who am I to let those kids down?!  Instead of the typical response of a louder "We got spirit" dialogue, I of course got a roaring outburst of laughter.  And then a round of applause.  Even from the administrators. 

From then on, we went from more beat droppin' to chant line makin' to step dancing creatin'.  And today, the Rocket Club had fun!  Today, the Rocket Club fulfilled the description of 'leaders of spirit in their school'.  Today, there were no plans for Rocket Club. 

May you have a no-plans-but-gonna-make-it-HOW-'BOUT-YOU kind of day as well!

2 States in 2 Days

Charleston, South Carolina is home to many things:  my sister, Rainbow Row, cobble streets, many-a-island, good food like this place and this one coffee joint called Hope & Union. Needless to say, Charleston is a neat city that incorporates a beachy atmosphere and chic-couture.  And I spent my weekend there!  We planned this whole trip around the Cooper River Bridge 10K Run.  Oh, and for a visit to see my sister!  I had never run more than 3.1 miles before this past Saturday nor had I ever run on a bridge.  Why I was up for this challenge, I am still not sure.  Why I was able to actually run the 6.2 miles, I am still not sure either.  Maybe it was a runner's high (doubt it) or maybe its because there were 41,000 other people constantly around me?  Or heck, maybe I have some runner in me!!?  (My dad is an avid runner.  I'm pretty sure the man can't sleep at night if he doesn't run 4-6 miles a day.  He runs during his lunch break.  Normal, right?  Oh yeah, he also ran 50 miles on his 50th birthday.  Yeah.  ON.  Not for.  Like on the day, the one day.)

I digress. 

After 5 hours in the car with 1 puppy and 2 eager 10k-ers, we arrive in Charleston just in the nick of time!  We quickly dropped Huntley off with my sister and made our way downtown to pick up our racing bibs.  Now, keep in mind, Charleston is a city but no big city.  There are 41,000 other people trying to do the same thing we are doing.  Trying to pick up their bibs while enjoying the free give-aways and intriguing sale stands.  Well, once we enter the fun filled tent full of people and all-things-runner Justin goes immediately into 'we-have-to-get-what-we-came-for-before-we-soak-anything-else-up' mode.  Whereas my eyes catch everything there is to offer from the free Ritz crackers to the 80's style running shorts.  However, at any brief amount of time spent looking at those I couldn't dare brush off the nervous/antsy guy to my side looking around.  So we carried on.  And then we carried out because once we got the necessities, I had lost all excitement to spend time with these overly excited people.

We grilled out at my sister's boyfriends condo for dinner.  Delicious.  He made homemade french fries (healthy style) with this thing!  I'm gonna get me one of those things one day... And it'll be trouble for all parties involved.  We kept it chill that night by watch T.V. and I would boldly say that all 4 of us are now addicted to the show Shark Tank.  Watch it. 

The next morning was an early and chilly one.  We took a Ferry Boat across the river to the other side of the bridge.  I love riding boats!  And I even loved it that morning amongst the avid runners who spent their ride applying sun screen, stretching their legs and eating bananas.  The two of us didn't partake in any of those activities on the boat.  Once we got off the boat and caught up to the 'F' corral, the race began!  Just like that.  No down time, no pump up, no nothing.  So maybe we pushed our time a little?  But it worked out.  We ran that 6.2 like pros!  Well, pros who average about an 11 minute mile and finish in 1:11 kind of pros...  But I am proud of the fact that we (I) only walked about 7 minutes of the race!  You can laugh or judge if you must but nothing will not make me proud of the fact that I ran over an hour straight!!  Nothing.  So say what you want. 

After the race we walked back to Claire's apartment, finding Radcliffe Street (COOL!!!) 

and stopping for iced coffee (a good after-the-race drink, eh?).  We spent probably the next 2 hours sitting in front of the TV with Claire and her roommates.  Stretching.  And stretching more.  We then went all over the island and found a place for lunch where Huntley could be with us.  (My sister wanted Hunt to be able to do everything with us... So she pretty much did).  Claire drove us around showing us the sweet scenery of downtown, the battery and the local spots.  We attended a Oyster Roast where we cracked open some legit oysters and helped ourselves!  By around 8:00 that night, Justin and I were done.  Exhausted.  In over our heads.  We tried to play it cool and suck it up to act like fun people but we just aren't weren't.  We were home and in bed by 10:30 after leaving the place to be only minutes after arriving there. 

Sunday morning we participated in Sticky Bun Sunday at Wildflower Cafe (link provided above) and headed home.  Home to the tortuous routine of parent meetings, math help, soccer games and responsibility. 
All of which I'm sure doesn't happen in Charleston. 

Sing to Me, Jack Johnson

Apparently my life is playing a game with me and its called the 'Waiting Game'.  Jack Johnson puts it much more eloquently so I too will chose to say it the Jack way: I'm playing the "Sittin', Waitin', Wishin'" game.

Sittin': on my butt overloaded with work...  Kids these days are all getting a bad case or senioritis or just plain ole the-weather-got-nice-and-now-all-i-can-think-about-is-summer-so-i'm-gonna-act-out-itis.  And because of that and any kind of diagnosis, I am nose deep in parent conferences dealing with next year, 'fixing' behavior problems and teaching math (HA!). 

Waitin':  on a lot.  Too much to list all out but I'll give you a sneak peek- summer, soccer season to be over, to hear about any new job prospects, for 3:02 every day and to know some sort of plan for my life or even just the next year.

Wishin': for a job in Atlanta, specifically at this wonderful, undisclosed (for now) school!, for cheaper gas, for the war to end so loved ones can come home and that my dinners could come themselves every night.


Make a song out of that Jack Johnson.  Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Melody.

Motivation, Motivation, Where Art Thou Motivation

I have no motivation.  I am sitting here at work, staring at the list of things I need to do.  And instead of working on any of those, I have done the following:

-Made a new list of things I need to do once I leave work
-Browsed blog background and successfully destroyed my new blog creation that my boyfriend so generously worked on (consider this my pre-apology and polite plea to still help me as I promise to NEVER touch it again)
-Spent an entire period talking with a teacher friend of mine about our jobs and how we are both in our first year and neither one of us want to be a teacher anymore.  Awesome.
- Shuffled my iPod 3 times to finally land on a song that doesn't prove any more so that my retro iPod isn't from my high school years. (isn't the caption from website ironic?)
-Looked over my To-Do list for after school and added more.

I got me a bad case of the Monday's.  And it's raining.  Which doubles triples the bad in the bad case of Mondays.  And might I add that rain doesn't cancel a high school soccer game.  Yep.  Who knew!?  Apparently everyone else in attendance of our Saturday game besides me.  At least I know now.  So fingers crossed for bad weather today.  And for tomorrow.  And the rest of the week, except Friday. PLEASE!

Excuse My Absence

I'm not going to try to justify or reason why I haven't blogged in so long. I could list reasons such as: I was on Spring Break and never once got online or that my Internet in my apartment has been off (including cable) since I returned or even that I have had a soccer game every day this week, thus getting me home no earlier than 8:00. But I won't elaborate on those. Instead I'll just trust that I have forgiveness and promise that I will be better starting now.
With all that said, this entry will still be short because I am at school in the midst of 9 week exams and parent meetings all day, every day. However, living on the edge of risk is where I like to be and if typing away at the computer pretending I'm writing an important email or document can grant me some time to write a little entry, then living that lie is what I'm about. Yep. I said it. And I meant it.
Since returning to work, I have been swamped with stuff that I should or should not have completed before Spring Break but hey, I get it done for when it needs to be done. Okay?! Anyways, because of the overwhelming amount of work on top of 9 week exams, let's just say I may not be the most pleasant to students who happen to ask the most RIDICULOUS questions! So, to add to another reason I have been absent here, I give you the case of my 'Just not in a good mood'.

With this as my story I feel certain I will win 'Not Guilty' in the plead of 'Unfaithful to Blogger Relationship':
          Yesterday, during the Algebra I test, after I had told these particular boys to be quiet 7 times and eventually told them they were driving me nuts and to shut their mouths or else!, I was asked by the sweet Marquise, "Ms. Peters, why are you PMSing on us?". To that my only response was "I'm not! You guys are just annoying the crap out of me!!"
Yep. I plead not guilty because I had a 10th grade boy ask me in front of other boys why I was PMSing. When I wasn't even. I swear I am not that teacher, I am fun, usually don't care if they talk, and am willing to help any student! But I got asked why I was PMSing on them.
Let's just say my attitude toward Algebra I, my blog and all things taking time away from the things I love is changing immediately!

My Little Girl

I've been at home sick the past two days due to a 24 hour bug (I'm crossing my fingers that it was just a 24 hour thing... I've never been one to say I can predict the future).  Today was by far the better of the 2 days, offering me time to do some much needed things and some not-that-needed things.  But one thing I feel certain I did get a slight dose of was what it's like to be a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM, what those people refer to it as, I believe).  

No.  I do not have a child.  No.  I am not trying to have a child.  No.  I do not stay at home.

Yea.  I have a sweet puppy.  Yes.  I would like to have kids at some point.  Yes.  If I could, I would love to hold the title of a SAHM.

Today, Huntley, my sweet 6 month old MaltiPoo (half Matisse half Poodle) gave me a glimpse of this lifestyle by:

-Looking at herself in my floor to head mirror, stratching it to see who that was she was looking at.  (Much like a toddler would).  But then went beyond the capabilites of any toddler and climbed behind the mirror where she proceeded to sit and hang out for awhile, perhaps forgetting about the mysterious 'twin' that earlier held her captive.  When she left behind the mirror, this process happened again.  Twice.

**I tried my darnest to capture this on camera.  But alas, I had the wrong setting so the first shots were off focused and the few that I did get didn't do it justice.  And needless to say, I can't even find the cord to my camera to show you the bit that I did capture.  This blog will have pictures one day, promise.  And that is more of a challenge to me than a promise to all you followers... Because there are SO many of you...

-Talking with her mouth full.  Multiple times, just even within the past 10 minutes, she has had her teething bone in her mouth but tried to speak at the same time...  It didn't turn out good for anyone invovled.  Her bark sounded muffled and made me believe she was choking or about to throw up dinner, aka I was convinced I had given her my 24 hour bug.

-Potty Training!  We use the Puppy Pads with her since I can't come home during the day and I live on the 3rd floor currently.  But, recently, we have started putting her on the pad and saying "want a treat?!  Go potty!".  Sometimes it works brittantly.  Sometimes she likes to show me how brillant I am not...  You would think after 30 times of her running to me, jumping on my leg and then shortly peeing after I would catch on and take her to the Pad at first jump.  I've learned that now.  You would also think that I would put 2 and 2 together and know that my girl is kinda high maintenance and doesn't/WILL NOT pee on a Pad that has been used more than 2 times.  I can understand that and appreciate that.  I like her cleanliness and will honor it!  Plus, that girl can pee her some BIG pee spots.  You would wanna give her a new Pad too.  Promise.

-Understanding Mom is sick.  When I throwing up, she was by my side.  Yes, she did jump back each time but that didn't keep her back.  She stayed in bed with me ALL day, even though she had the opportunity to play at any chance; which is never gets to do because every other day the 2 dogs are locked in their perspective corners of the apartment.  She gave me love (stopped when I pushed her off, knowing her limits), cuddle with me like she was getting paid for it and was on her best behavior!  **This mostly happened yesterday when I spent the entirety of the day in my bed, unless I was cradling the great Porcelain god. 

-Loving her in ways I don't normally.  Like allowing her to chew/destroy a pair of my unmentionables she found because she has a weird obsession with it..  I don't put it too far past her though because my room mate's dog does the same thing.  But I usually take them away from her as soon as I see it but today I didn't.  I know she loves it, and it was an old pair I had literally just placed in a donation pile.  (Plus, what her Ditty doesn't know won't hurt her...)

All these things, and many more, made these past 2 days at home relaxing and enjoyable at times when it seemed not possible.  If you asked any of my friends from high school and heck, even college, they would all probably tell you I'd be the absolute last person they'd imagine having a dog... And I'd most likely agree.  But, I have lived with one of my best friends for the past 2 years that has a Maltipoo and its hard to tell if Layla (the dog) fell in love me first or I, her.  It doesn't matter though, it was love and still is the sweetest kind of love!  I got Huntley on Halloween this year as a early birthday present from my boyfriend and Hunt has brought the 2 of us so much joy, happiness, fun and rewards!  Neither one of us are 'dog people' but we are soaking up the endless possibilities of trying to prove we are.  And hey, little girl with the brown nose doesn't know we aren't her kind of people but to her, we are the ONLY kind of people she needs. 

apparently I love making lists.....

Things that have made me smile this week:

1. The girls on the soccer team saying, multiple times mind you, "Peters, you are legit. Why did you ever quit soccer?! Your high school needed you!".
2. A teacher coming into my room to just sit and talk while her class was at lunch.
3. Going on a quick Wal-Mart run with my room mates, and making 'over an hour' the new definition for quick.
4. Running.
5. Tripping 3 times in a row as I walk through the halls of the school, in front of a massive group of students. Each time. (Okay, so that didn't really make me smile, made me very self-conscious actually but I'm smiling now.... )
7. Honesty.
8. My sweet little puppy, Huntley girl, and her precious brown nose.
9. Thinking about my blog and imagining it with SO much more potential... I see pictures in each entry, edited with word art and decorative banners; pictures taken with a Cannon Rebel, and maybe at some point a Cannon 50D. I'll keep smiling about that idea for a LONG while...
10. Love. And how lucky I am to have it in my life in so many forms. And how all I want to do with my life is love.

Ode To March

10 Reasons Why I Am Looking Forward To The Coming Month:

1. A week off of my job, aka Spring Break.
2. Finding reasons to reference Leprechaun, rainbows and pots of gold at any time.
3. A new friend's wedding events!
4. The Bachelor finale.
5. Seeing Peter Pan 360 in Atlanta!
6. Soccer tournaments.....
7. Saving some Day Light Time (Daylight Savings Time)
8. Wearing green on March 17th and making sure everyone who isn't is made aware of that. (Especially thankful I won't be at school that day; the potential for awkward moments is far too high, even for me.)
9. SPRING!
10. Hopefully, maybe, my fingers are crossed for, finding out more stable plans for where I'll be and what I'll be doing next year....

Hope you make you a list too- enjoy the small things today friends