One of those moments

On Friday, I was able to treat my class to a little extra recess time. They were ecstatic since our weather has been breaking records at 80*+ many days this week. I, too, enjoyed this change of scenery and it was the first time I'd been able to take my class out this year...now that I know what's happening during my day...usually. As I watched kids run in the wide open space that is my school's property and play tag and play on the playground, I had one of those moments. Those moments when you feel like this is what you've always pictured in your head as your dream job. That this is where God wanted you all along...you just had to wait and be patient.

Today I'm grateful for...those simple moments that help you remember who God created you to be.

Eve of my 2nd week

Tonight, as I officially joined the ranks of the Sunday-night-teachers'-preparation crowd, I couldn't help but be thankful. I had a momentary thought of, "Oh the days as an aide..." but then I remembered my lack of excitement for work (some days) and the dread of the non-teaching position and was past that really quickly. I also remembered that I'm getting paid (better than my long term sub job days) to do this and God found the absolutely, positively best niche for me where I'm at. I LOVE my team, I enjoy the rest of the staff, my boss is awesome and my kids are unique and special and I love them each for a different reason. This is such a different environment than I was in before. It's amazing how fewer "procedures" are required of the staff here. They, I mean WE, can actually focus on our jobs, not a whole bunch of other 'stuff'...ya'll know what I'm talking about!
Reflections on my first week (you're getting bullets or this would be 100 pages):
-I'm starting to become a morning person...sorta...don't get too excited Antho ;)
-I love the room decorating...when I have more time.
-I don't have to be so OCD about things...especially when in a time crunch like being hired less than 5 days before school starts.
-Creativity can wait until I have a couple weeks under my belt.
-I am overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you have to learn when moving to a new district from another...I guess I forgot from my internship days.
-My kids are diverse...and so unique.
-On Wednesday, I got my first, "Miss Krieg is the best teacher!" comment.
-I'm glad school starts at 9:15am so I don't have to get up dreadfully early!
-I don't mind the drive...although I think I can only do it a year---max!
-There's so much to learn and remember.
-I've learned all the kids' names....slowly learning all the staffs' names.
-I've had so many staff members welcome me and provide encouragement and assistance in my mad-scramble.
-I'll get in a routine, I'll give my best this year and re-evaluate come next year...hoping I don't have to wait the summer to find out if I have a job in the fall...what will I do with my extra emotional energy over the summer...lol!!!!!
-GOD HAS ME IN THE BEST PLACE and I'm excited to see if this is my teaching home for many years to come!!!!!

The New Teaching Journey Begins

Well, I officially signed my first teaching contract today! I'm going to be teaching 3rd grade and my students start Tuesday which is why this will be the shortest post I've ever written. I'll post pictures and more later! :)

Settling in...

...I am finally, starting, to settle in for the new school year. As my schedule is 'finalized' (never really final for an instructional assistant), I am starting to see what might be challenges and what I can do to help improve the school environment. We are experiencing a lot of change as we have added new staff to the building and will be welcoming our new secretary tomorrow. I am enjoying working with the 1st graders since its the only grade I'm certified for that I haven't had much experience with in the actual school setting...plenty of first graders in my babysitting world! :) I am also supervising lunch for some fourth graders that I have had for the last two years in the classroom. Its definitely a challenge but I know their "shenanigans" and can easily detect any mischief! :)

...I am starting to somewhat, sorta, feel settled at FCCC! Its been a great journey but it has not been without its challenges. In late January, I officially left the church I had called HOME for 16 years! This was definitely a challenge because this is where I was fed spiritually and gained strength and support during difficult times in life as I grew to be who I am today. There are many people there that made a significant impact on my life and I'm grateful for EACH and EVERY single person! I think one of the most difficult parts was leaving the students of GEBC. They had taught me a lot about love, ministry and myself! I hadn't planned to dive into youth ministry...in fact, hadn't even really thought about it, when I moved back and asked Dave if he needed chaperones for a trip (that I knew would be fun but thought I might find a new passion--which I did!) and he needed one so I hopped in a van with a bunch of students I had never met....and I've never been the same. God used these students in my life to teach me more than I ever imagined they could. I know the impact leaders made in my life and I'm daily grateful for the opportunity to TRY and do the same for them. I have left, with much love shown to me by those students...and lots of sadness....to come a minister to the students at FCCC. I'm excited and nervous as we are "starting from scratch". God's going to use me in spite of my inadequacies and I'm excited to see what He does. I've been fortunate enough that Christina has had the faith and patience with me as I have learned to play guitar in front of the congregation. Before a friend of mine left, I would play with him but now that he's gone, I've been "thrown in the deep end" and have been swimming upstream as I attempt to learn and grow as a guitarist. It would have been so easy to say, "no" but I knew that God was opening a door I had never planned but had always dreamed about! The journey continues and I'm waiting to see what God has next!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

1st day of School 2010-2011 and GOD

As I waited for the students to arrive today, I was excited about who was coming, wondering what would happen, who I would see from previous years and how the day would go. When I started to write this, it struck me that God must feel the same thing as He waits for us to come to Him every single day. He waits expectantly, hoping that we will come to Him with a smile on our face and an open heart to what He wants to share. I often find myself going to God saying, I pray for so-n-so or for this situation or please give me ______________ (insert character trait, etc...) or God, WHY???? I pray that as I grow in Him that I would be letting Him speak to me more. I hear Him better than I ever have before but I long to hear and know Him better still.

Looking ahead in the school year, I'm sensing great things happening and praying for opportunities to share my faith with my students (within my legal bounds...gggrrrr), parents and colleagues.

An Exciting Week Ahead

This week is going to be full of new and exciting things. I am starting my job as an instructional assistant again at the same school and am grateful to have a job. Still praying about the classroom!


It's also a big week because we will officially launch our church....We will start the weekend on Friday night with a comedy group, The Skit Guys! Then on Sunday we will have our launch service and a picnic to celebrate! I can't wait to see what God does. I have a feeling it is more than any of us can even imagine!

http://www.fourcornerscommunity.org/

What a Week!

You never really know how much you can fit in a short amount of time until you have to! Monday we had our parent conferences and it was an amazing experience. Most of the parents in my room are amazing...I'm truly being spoiled with such a great class and parents! We have, though, had a parent already ask for another conference after we stayed late for her on Monday! EEKS! We'll see how that goes on Tuesday. Then it was a busy week of after school activities including professional development and class that stressed everyone out! On Thursday morning, bright and early, in the worst rain we've had in 6 months or so, I had my formative evaluation where my supervisor (don't get me started on her) and mentor teacher filled out a professional development survey of how I am doing. It was good to have more feedback from my mentor...didn't get anything extra from my supervisor.

Last night and today have been spent doing my literacy file (composed of way too much to write here!), writing all my lessons plans for the week, writing a math lesson plan for class and preparing my two mini-lessons for math on Monday. It's going to be a busy week any way you slice it. Tomorrow will be spent paying bills, finishing some tax stuff, finishing this week's lesson plans and the math mini-lessons. I hope I can rest at some point!