My Teammates (over the years)

Year

Grade

Team

+/-

2006-2007

3rd

4 members

“My First Real Job”

This is back when our lesson plans were jotted down in a planner.

This team consisted mainly of late twenties/early thirties teachers who loved teaching and “cutesy” projects. This was a great team to join my first year because I always dreamed of the “fun” side of teaching. My room was adorable and my bulletin board was festive. Great teaching? I don’t know. Lots of imagination and fun? Yes ma’am!  Did I mention everything was super cute?!

More importantly, I still talk to these ladies on a regular basis. A lot has changed in education and in our personal lives, but I will remember them for cultivating my joy in teaching.

2007-2008

3rd

4 members

“Eye Opening”

This year my team changed, but one of my favorites from last year stayed on with me. We now were balanced with a male opinion and a strong educational leader with years of experience. The cutesy was foregone, but the real lessons in teaching prevailed. I learned how to collaborate more effectively and see approaches to teaching through different viewpoints. This is the year that strong educational leader would leave the classroom to join the administrative staff! She has done a wonderful job and I am so glad she was a colleague of mine!

2008-2009

3rd

4 members

“Too Many Options”

With our experienced leader gone, our team was back to being young and wet behind the ears. We traded out one male for another, so I got to see a softer side to the male perspective. He was very creative and connected deeply with students. I was moved by his approach. The female teacher who took over for our now administrator had a subscription to the educational magazine called “Mailbox” and oh.my.goodness! Each planning day we were shown “cutesy” after “cutesy” project/bulletin board display. At this point in my career, I learned it can’t always be cute. And many ideas were hard to implement without a strong educational reason. But, her enthusiasm for classroom couture reminded me why I came into teaching. So of course, I squeezed a few “cutesy” items into my instruction. (I never want to see that magazine again!) This was the last year with my original third grade teammate- she left to have her third baby and be a wonderful mom. Of course, we keep in touch and see each other often!

2009-2010

5th

4 members

“Stick Together Like Glue”

My principal thought my behavior management was strong; which of course, is a complement. However, once I realized where she was going with this idea I no longer was on the train. The behavior of our 5th graders was a bit “off the chain.” I told her I had no interest in teaching that grade level as I know my strengths and weaknesses. Those hormone filled children would make me die an early death. (I also knew I drew the line on K and First as well!) But, then the good leader in me realized I can’t say “NO” to something I have never tried before. So, I signed on. I was right. I was not a good fit. I spent my days breaking up romances and bro fights, correcting rolled eyes and winking, and recess was a WHOLE new world I wish I never saw before. (You get the idea, right?) Thank goodness my principal listened to my desperate plea and allowed me to return to my comfort zone in the 2-4 grade range for the next year.

The best thing that came out of that year was my friendship with those who I now consider my “besties.” Sometimes when life throws you a curve ball and you’re holding on for dear life, you clasp on to forever friends. That’s just what happens to my team. We stuck together like glue, so much so, we nicknamed ourselves: Elmers, Scotch Tape, Glue Stick & Velcro. 🙂

None of us teach at that school anymore. None of us teach that grade either. (ha, kinda ironic, huh?) But, we see each other weekly and reminisce on that year. And for that, I am grateful I went through that experience.

2010-2011

2nd

5 members

“WILD about Teaching”

I was sooooo glad to be back where the kids loved to learn, hugging wasn’t awkward or misconstrued, and I could teach without a test!! yahoo 🙂  My team was the loudest, silliest group of women I have ever met. Planning was more of a comedy show than an effective educational collaboration (well, we collaborated just fine, but not on the topic of education!) These teachers were fun and kid-like. No wonder the kids never wanted to go home. The poor husbands of these teachers had no idea how much I knew about them, and I am sure it’s better they don’t. This year, I was F.R.E.E. I got back to the reason I loved teaching and began to not worry about what was assessed, but just teach and have fun doing it. This rejuvenated my spirit and my love of education. My team helped me “detox” from my past experience and leave my baggage at the door. They helped me have fun in the classroom again. My students and I raised numerous butterflies and frogs that year 🙂 Very symbolic of my transformation as a teacher. I was now blossoming again!

2011-2012

3rd

6 members

“Be Real”

I realized it was time to try teaching a different population. I loved my title-one experience with the neediest of children. They needed a role model, a teacher, and a friend. But, it exhausted me. After 5 years, I needed to try something new. My recent rejuvenation was the push I needed to find another school to learn from. Our school district finally had a transfer fair (after freezing employee movement for years), so I jumped on the opportunity. I landed myself a job I would NEVER forget.

My students were well behaved, cared for, and loved learning. They acted their age- innocent and young. Their parents were supportive and interacted with me on a daily basis. This was divine! An experience I had never had before. My administrative team loved what I was doing in the classroom and appreciated my input. I was thriving as a teacher and a leader at this new school. My kids and I bonded like no other. We were a tight knit family that was rare but treasured. I knew I was “lucky,” as the rest of my grade level was not experiencing the same dream. I lived and breathed each moment, reminding myself this wouldn’t last forever. My favorite group of kids would soon leave me, but never be forgotten.

My teammates helped me live the dream. They constantly complimented my kids and my situation. They were happy for me and also reminded me to “drink it up” for it soon would be gone. One teacher who I am especially close to was my “reality” buddy. She and I would be able to talk straight about what was going on in our lives and in the school. Often times you have to be careful who you are talking to or what you are saying. Not this friend. We said it like it was and that brought tremendous relaxation and calmed any anxiety. We lived close to one another and spent time together outside of school. Although this would be the last year we worked together on the same team, I knew this was someone that carried me through this year. She’s got my back..for realz.

2012-2013

3rd

5 members

“Handle it”

Welcome to today!  I am blessed with an amazing student teacher to help me out this year. We have a BRAND new administrative team in the district and at the school level. The changes are immense and my head is still trying to wrap itself around it all. I am also a mentor to a brand new teacher who joined our team. I am excited about my leadership opportunities this year.

I have heard I have quite a challenging bunch of students this year (I could have told you that after my dreamlike class last year). My team is going to be the reason I make it through.

….stay tuned to hear all about it as the year unfolds!