10 Things I Love About School This Year.

In no particular order, because there are so many things for me to love about teaching this year.


1. Teaching Adventure Education. Timm totally hooked me up for this school year. I love being able to use my master's degree knowledge and develop this new curriculum. Student's have responded really well to this program and all the teamwork and character education components that go along with it. It has been an adventure for me.

2. All my classes are 10 week quarters. It's so refreshing to have all new groups of students every quarter. I like that I get to repeat the same curriculum 4 times in one school year because it gives me the opportunity to adjust and perfect some of the activities and framing. Plus if a student gets under my skin, its only for 10 weeks! :)

3. Athletic clothing! Oh how I missed wearing my sweats and tshirts to school last year! And this year being pregnant I'm even more comfortable. Although I did dress up today in a sweater. It's a movie day and I wanted a a warm fuzzy sweater to combat the cold. :)

4. My huge Adventure Ed. Classroom that is right next to the gymnasium. It allows for so much flexibility. We can do a lot in the classroom and when we do need the gym it's right there.

5. My own staff bathroom in the locker room. For as many trips as I'm taking to it this year, I sure do appreciate it.

6. Incorporating Character Education. Adventure Ed. allows me so many opportunities to throw in the character ed. spin on activities and lessons. Through discussions and debriefing I even discover things about my own character that I never realized before. There are a lot of powerful metaphors that go along with the activities.

7. 1st hour prep. It is the absolute best! I don't feel rushed in the morning, which is important due to my long drive. I'm always productive and it's a great transition time to get prepared for the entire day. I wish I could always have 1st hour prep.

8. Lunch time. This year I'm enjoying lunch with some awesome colleagues/friends. Last year the staff I shared lunch stayed in their classrooms, so I was always solo on my lunch too. I need and enjoy the 30 minutes of adult time.

9. Creative opportunities. I have so many opportunities to be crafty and creative with my ideas. I have a lot of freedom with this curriculum.

10. .................. ?????????????? I had it in my brain just a second ago....................
It's lost in my pregnant brain right now. I'll have to edit when I'm able to recover it. :)

I have many things to be thankful for this year. Last year was very challenging in the 5th grade classroom. I learned alot, and overall I think it made me a better teacher, but I don't miss it. The only things I miss about last year are having teammates and the principal (Timm).


Only 12 more weeks of school for me! April 9th will be my last day! (maybe this should be #10)