its been a while...

I honestly don't know why I thought I would actually be better this year at "blogging" but I guess that's just life, always busy!
Well here is a quick update on the last few months at school. We made it through the holidays and our much needed break. Getting back into the swing of things certainly was a lot easier this year than last. Enjoyed a few snow days, really most of them I wouldn't count as "snow" days but then again I'm not in charge so I don't make those calls. February marked the 100th day of school, which of course is a big deal in elementary school! And the usual Valentines Parties which at the time I threatened to boycott next year, mostly thanks to a few children in my class who thought out carpet need to be stained with pink and red cupcake frosting...lets just hope they actually shampoo the carpets this summer. Our school has been collecting plastic sacks as part of Walmarts recycling program. We had a contest among the grade levels for the month of February and my class (with the help of my parents and friends) brought it over 1,000 bags! Sadly, we did not win. Another class beat us by about 300. And here we are counting down the days until spring break...its 12 days just in case you were wondering! I have been better this year about taking picture so I'll try to add some later this week.

I can't believe its already March, this year really has flown by. As the end of the year is approaching I'm starting to get sad. Not because of my current kids moving on to 2nd grade...at least not yet. I'm getting sad that my kids from last year will be leaving Chicot. Our school only goes to 2nd grade so they will be moving on to the intermediate school next year. One of my girls from last year came up and found me this morning and was telling me she didn't want to go to 3rd grade, and I'm horrible for saying this but I told her I didn't want her to either! Of course I do want her to, but I'm just going to miss not being able to see them. Yes, it was not the perfect year, but those were my first group of kids, they will always special to me and I just feel like its not fair that I have to say bye to them yet.

Things have been so strange this year, so different from last year. In so many ways this year has been so much better but I guess there are just different struggles this year. So much has been happening the last few weeks with one of my kids. Lets call him Jay. This little boy has changed my life as a teacher this year...well him and so many others to be honest. But him I've been fighting for all year, since the very first day of school. Jay has several special needs, and to be honest hes not getting what he deserves, not from me! Lets just make sure that's clear. I really do feel like I am doing everything I possibly can for him. I have done everything that everyone has told me to do but yet I still feel like I'm stuck and it just SUCKS!! I think I've really learned this year what my job really means and that I really do have to be an advocate for these children. Now in Jay's situation of course there are a lot of other factors, but a big one is the school psychologist who just wants to say he doesnt have any problems when there is PLENTY of documentation that says he does. She has a reputation for doing this but its just not right. I honestly don't know how she sleeps at night. I've made a decision today though, I'm done being the nice little teacher...ok, well I'll still be the nice little teacher but i'm done just sitting there and not loudly voicing my opinion. It has to be done, I will fight this until the last day of school if I have to because its whats right, and whats fair for my kid.

Sometimes I think if people only knew what goes on in schools, school districts, etc they would be so shocked. I know I am and I work for the school district. I thought as educators we were supose to be changing the lives of these kids for the better. To love and teach them everyday, no matter what. Thats why I became a teacher. No one tells you how hards its going to be. Not in college, not in real life. I know, life is hard. Being a grown up...or becoming a grown up is hard. I know all jobs have their own struggles and problems. But as far as education and teaching is concerned, I can honestly say I had no idea it was going to be like this. Some days it really does suck. It is getting easier, but I really am thankful for all the teachers I've had in my life. I guess now I know what its like. But unless you've worked in a classroom and been in these type of situations you really have no idea what its like. No idea about the emotional, physical and mental stress that effects everypart of who you are. Just like I dont know the stress of so many other occupations out there. I am so thankful for my "teacher friends" they know what its like and without them I'm not sure what I would do. Oh, and let me just clear something up...dont say to any teacher that you know how easy his/her job is and comment about getting the summer off. Because I promise you if you tried to come and do my job for 1 day you would think differently. And for all the overtime we put in every single day, we deserve 2 months of summer. And usually there is professional development or meetings in the summer!

Well on a more personal note....haha, if this hasen't been personal enough. Which is really werid because I did not plan on "spilling my guts" like that ever in this blog. Its also kind of ironic today, as I was talking with our counselors I kind of started getting upset because we were talking and talking about this kid and I just couldn't help but tear up. One of them said, you should journal or workout or something to release all this stress. And I'm thinking...well I already go to the gym for a hour every afternoon! Yes, part of I guess you could call it my new years resolutuion or I just go because it really does help with my stress! So here is my journaling I guess. Back to the personal note....I've decided to stay in Little Rock for at least another year. Which is a change in plans since I had decided to move to Texas....lets just hope that is still in the near future.
I'm moving into a house with a friend from my Harding days, I'm really excited about the next year!

Now its almost 9pm, which most nights would be my bedtime....yes, I know. I really do miss the days of going to bed at 11pm and calling that early, but 5am comes too early for that. But tonight, is the 2nd night of the Bachelor after the final rose special...and don't even get me started on that!

Fingers crossed that I will get better with the updates! and pictures!