HOW I SURVIVED MY FIRST SEMESTER OF TEACHING... AND YOU CAN TOO!

So I haven't blogged since September, and that's mostly because my first semester of teaching has been very busy! I've learned A LOT over the past few days/weeks/months and to kick off this new year, I'm going to share a few of these things with you today! Whether you are just beginning your teaching journey, or you're a veteran teacher, I think that you'll be able to find my "survival toolkit" helpful. Yes, these are things that helped me survive my first semester of teaching... but they are also practices that I plan to continue throughout my education career. And now, without any further ado, a few things that I learned that helped me to survive my first semester of teaching that will hopefully help you too!

It's okay to get personal! (but still stay professional)
Going into this semester I really geared myself up for the fact that I need to be professional with all people at all times. As a fresh out of college, first year teacher maintaining a professional, "I've got my act together" persona was very important to me. I wanted to make sure I wasn't wearing my heart on my sleeve, over-sharing about my life, or treating my students/colleagues like I would my friends whilst hanging out at a local coffee shop chatting about the latest episode of The Bachelor. One of the best things I learned though was to find that balance of still staying professional... but being personable as well! It was easy to do with my colleagues as well as with my students. In fact, I found out that sharing little personal details about myself with my students every now and then (such as my love for my dog, anecdotes about my childhood, etc.) actually kept them engaged and allowed for me to get to know more about them too. This, in turn, helped me figure out what makes them "tick" so I could more effectively educate them.

Drink coffee!!
Enough said. I will also add though that I treated myself to a "fancy coffee" from Starbucks or a local coffee shop a few times this semester, but with the mindset of wanting to save money so I could focus on student loan payments I often brought coffee with me from home. Also, (and this goes back to getting personal) one of the teachers on my team has a coffee pot in her room and we take turns getting creamer, coffee, and making it before school in the morning. Drinking coffee aided team bonding as well as provided fuel to help get me through the day.

Laugh it off! (and learn from it)
I have a lot of perfectionistic tendencies. I really try to think things through and even anticipate future problems... however, sometimes things just happen. Things will go wrong, your computer will break down the day you are getting evaluated by your Principal (yes this happened to me), or a student will throw up in the middle of your most profound lesson. Laugh it off!! It's important for your students to see that you don't take yourself too seriously and that you can learn from these "teachable moments." Perfect example from my first semester... I was teaching a lesson about cause and effect relationships. We were looking at different scenarios and trying to identify the cause and the effect. I talk with my hands. A lot. During one of my sweeping gestures while teaching I bumped the jar holding my whiteboard markers and the jar proceeded to fly through the air to the floor spilling its contents everywhere. I could have gotten red faced and flustered. Instead, we laughed as a class as some students popped right up to help clean up the mess. Then, I turned that exact scenario into a cause/effect relationship. I asked students to turn and talk with the students in their group to see if they could identify the cause and the effect in the situation that just happened! The best part, students actually learned from it and they remembered the situation much later in the semester when we came back to the cause/effect relationship concept.

Don't feel bad hanging out with people your own age!
Don't get me wrong, I love my students, but spending time with people your own age is so important for your sanity success as a teacher and human being! I have a lot of friends who are teachers as well, and I love spending time with them because we bounce ideas off of one another and share funny stories from our school days. I also have friends who are not in the education field at all which often provides me with fresh perspective, or the chance to talk about something other than my work day. Spending time with friends has reminded me that I have a name other than "Miss Whittaker." I've had a hard time spending time with friends consistently because it seems that every where I turn there's another unit to plan, paper to grade, or thing to do... but I promise you, even if you only set aside a few minutes a week for a coffee date or two with a friend, you won't regret it! In fact, you'll probably be more rejuvenated because of it!

It's okay to ask for help.
This goes back to my perfectionism. I don't know if you're anything like me... but sometimes I try to do as much as I can in my own power and strength. I especially did this as a first year teacher because I don't want others to see me as "needy" or "incapable." However, I learned that true strength can come from asking for help. Turning to my mentor teacher, my team, and other teachers in my hall was actually not a sign of weakness at all. In fact, I now think it's an integral part of being an effective educator. I see teachers who have been teaching for a few years, or many years more than I have, turning to one another (even to me) to ask opinions, bounce ideas off of one another, and ask for help.

There are many other tools, management systems, and routines that I set up at the beginning of the year that really helped me to survive and thrive during this first semester of teaching, and there will be more to come on that in the future. But for now, I hope that this helps you survive your first semester of teaching!

What are your tips? Something you'd like me to write about? Comment below!

WHAT KIND OF TEACHER DO YOU WANT?

It's super exciting to say that I've survived not just one - but three weeks of my first year of teaching!! I feel like I am learning so much every day, and I'm totally enjoying the process. 

The first day of school already seems like it was sooo long ago, but today I'm sharing an activity I did on the first day that I LOVED. (This activity was not an original idea, I've seen people do things similar it on Pinterest and such, but I tweaked it to make it my own.)

The morning portion of the first day of school was devoted to getting my students settled in their seats and acquainted with each other and me! Students got to share a few interesting facts about themselves with one another, and after that, I shared about myself. As a transition out of that introduction time into this fun activity, I set things up by saying, "Now that we've gotten to know a little bit more about one another, I want to know some of your expectations for this school year and what you'd like to see from me." And then I turned and wrote the following prompt on the board:

At first, the room was quiet as students were trying to figure out what I was writing. But when I was finished, I heard some giggles and whispers from students who were eager to answer the question. I passed around sticky notes and students captured their thoughts and stuck them up on the board. When everyone was finished, I read the notes aloud and asked my students to help me group them into different categories by finding comments that were similar. The students were totally engaged, eager to help out, and not even thinking about the "work" (brainstorming, writing, categorizing, speaking & listening) that they were already doing on the first day of school! After we finished with our sort, the students went to lunch, and I got to work.

When the students came back in from lunch  they were so tickled to see that I put this poster together and hung it up in the room. (I love how it turned out! 5th Graders crack me up.)

I feel like this activity gave the students some "buy-in". Because they had a voice and got to take ownership in listing out the qualities they want in a teacher, they were more invested in finding out some of the things I was looking for from them later in the day.

Have you done an activity like this? How did it go? Let me know, and comment below!

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR...

If your weekend looks anything like mine you're probably putting the names of your students on popsicle sticks right now and staring at your lengthy to-do list. I get it. 'Tis the season! Here's a little poem I wrote, an "ode to back to school" if you will, that will take two minutes to read, while hopefully putting a smile on your face and giving you a quick moment to pause during your preparations. Enjoy!

T'was the Night Before School

T'was the night before school started and all through the halls,

that "Back to School" feeling was starting to fall.

The desks were all lined up so neatly in rows

and teachers were losing their nice summer glow.

The children were anxious to lay down in bed

and visions of homework danced 'round in their heads.

Their backpacks were stuffed and their clothes layed out nice

and parents were giving some friendly advice.

Now back to the teachers who were getting all prepped

and hoping for positive change they could affect

in students, beyond curriculum they'd be learning...

for new kids, but also for those who were returning.

With pencils, and markers, and lined paper too

the list just kept growing, there was so much to do!

They couldn't wait to match faces with names

and also try out that new team-building game.

But finally, at half past ten,

the teachers decided to find their zen.

And all around town, parents and teachers alike 

said, "Time for bed! It's a school night!"

This really is the most wonderful time of the year! Enjoy the process, get some sleep, take Vitamin C, and comment below.

UPDATE! As the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is approaching again, I have created a free download-able version of this poem as a gift for you! This is something you can print out, keep for yourself, or gift to your teacher friends/staff members. Enjoy!

SEEING RED

It's back to school season and I'm so excited!! The smell of freshly sharpened pencils and the anticipation of new students fills my heart. As a new teacher, I'm trying to stretch my budget and buy pieces for my wardrobe that are really versatile and timeless, while still looking professional and put-together. I recently got some new clothes, including a new red cardigan from Target. Today, I will be featuring 4 different ways to wear this sweater. The possibilities are ENDLESS... but here are a few looks I love and will wear throughout this back to school season.

Look 1: 

This outfit is something I would definitely wear to teach in and could easily transition to after-school activities like meeting friends for dinner or coffee. It's professional, while still looking fun... It makes me feel like I'm living life like Jessica Day on "New Girl."

The Look:
Red Sweater- Target
Navy Herringbone Dress- Old Navy
Grey Oxford Shoes- Gap Outlet

Look 2:

This look is surprisingly comfortable, while looking very professional. I can wear the sweater on colder days, or when I have morning duty, but then take it off when I start getting hot and show off the fun & flouncy sleeves on the blouse. 

The Look:
Red Sweater- Target
White Blouse- Forever 21
Black Polka-Dot Pixie Pants- Old Navy
Black Flats- H&M

Look 3:

This look is a more modern twist on a classic staple- the pencil skirt! I would wear this for Meet The Teacher Night, the 1st Day of School, or even to an interview to nail that teaching job. Basically, this is a look for a more professional setting where you want to make a positive first impression.

The Look:
Red Sweater- Target
Black Statement Necklace- Walmart
White Button-Up Shirt- Target
Black and White Pencil Skirt- Target
Black Flats- H&M

Look 4:

Casual Friday, anyone? I could not be more comfortable in this outfit. Some people mistake "Casual Friday" for "Frumpy Friday" and that's too bad! You can still be comfortable and casual without having to give up style-wise. Plus, when you get off work on Friday this could transition to a great weekend look.

The Look:
Red Sweater- Target
White and Navy Gingham Shirt- Old Navy
Blue Jeans- Old Navy
Grey Oxford Shoes- Gap Outlet

Did this inspire you to get more use out of some of the pieces in your closet? Have you been Seeing Red lately? Sound off below!

CLASSROOM RULES

One of my favorite things about my classroom is my Classroom Rules! It is so important to set students up for success, and making sure that they understand my expectations will help them with that. I already knew that I was going to have 5 main rules displayed in my classroom. I didn't want to overwhelm my students with hundreds of DO's and DO NOT's plastered on my walls. Here are the rules I landed on:

   - Treat everyone with respect.
   - Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
   - Follow directions.
   - Always do your best.
   - Golden Rule.

I feel that these rules cover all of the bases. After I decided which rules to highlight, I took to Pinterest to get some inspiration. I found a super cute idea (click here to see Kinder Craze's version), and decided to tweak it and to make it my own. I typed out my rules using one of my favorite fonts (KG Shake It Off, which you can download for free at dafont.com) and printed them off.

I ran into a crazy awesome deal at Michael's and scored 6 these frames on sale for $4 each. I got the Krylon spray paint at Walmart and went to town, spray painting three frames "Bright Idea" yellow, and the other "Blue Ocean Breeze." After my frames had dried and cured overnight, I mounted my printed out rules on black poster board and attached them to the frames. They are now happily hanging in my classroom awaiting the 90+ students who will come in my classroom for the first time in two weeks.

I could NOT be more happy with how they turned out!!! The bright frames catch your eye when you walk into the room and the white font on the black paper really pops.

So what do you think? How are you displaying your Classroom Rules this year? Let me know in the comments below.

LOVE YOUR TEACHER BINDER

Hello there! I'm so excited to share with you my Teacher Binder for the 2015 - 2016 school year. It is so organized & beautiful & I'm geeking out over it! I've seen a lot of adorable Teacher Binders, but I chose to create my own so that it could be organized the way I want and personalized. I'll use it for planning, record keeping, parent contact info, and so much more! I'm looking forward to carrying it into important meetings and having everything I need handy. If you're gearing up for back to school and looking for a new way to organize things this year or are looking for some fresh inspiration to show off your personal teacher style, then read on!

First things first, my binder cover! I printed out my cover and used washi tape to personalize it. My goal was for the cover to look professional without looking too uniform or boring. Not only was I able to achieve my goal, but it was inexpensive, easy to make, and turned out really cute! Let's open it up and see what's inside...

Say hello to my Flair pens! I can't wait to use them to grade papers and color-coordinate my calendar (it's the little things in life)!! I covered my binder divider tabs in washi tape not only because it looks cute, but because if I ever change my mind on my tab labels, I can peel off the washi tape, put a new strip on, and create a new label. Here's a break down of the sections of my Teacher Binder and what you can find inside:

To - Do List:

My to-do list comes from my deep desire to be super organized. I combined a few ideas I had from some books I've read, things I've seen on Pinterest, and ideas from my own brain. I have a few copies of my To-Do List in this section of my binder for me to use either day-by-day or week-to-week, just depending on how busy I am or how much I have to do. 

(If this To-Do List works for your organizational style, feel free to download the PDF and please comment below letting me know how it works for you!)

Calendar:

Next tab is my monthly calendar I got for free from Teachers Pay Teachers! I like it because it gives me a month at a glance view, so that when I'm in meetings I can quickly refer to it and make sure I don't overbook myself. I plan on using my Flair pens to color coordinate the events on my calendar so I can keep things straight.  

School Policies:

This section is where I am keeping important information about school and district-wide policies and procedures as well as my state's Code of Ethics for teachers. Now I can quickly reference those important materials right when I need them and not have to wonder, "now where did I put that again?".

Seating Charts:

I have three sets of students that rotate in and out of my room every day. I photocopied a blank mock-up of how desks are arranged and placed them in here. I will write in students names once school starts. This seating chart will help me match the faces to the names and hopefully help me get down all 90+ names sooner! It will also be a great resource for me to add to my substitute notes. 

Grades:

A place for me to put my spreadsheets... I'm one of those people who loves to have a hard copy of grades everything as well as a digital. I also decided to put my gradebook in this binder because it will go everywhere with me, so I should never have to worry about leaving my gradebook out somewhere or forgetting to bring it.

Communication:

I'm super excited about this Information Sheet/ Communication Log I created! Each student will have one of these sheets that I can refer to to look up contact info, birthdays, and other important information, as well as a record of all contacts with parents/guardians. 

(If this Communication Log works for your organizational style, feel free to download the PDF and please comment below letting me know how it works for you!)

Plan Book:

Lastly, I will attach my lesson plan booklet in the back. This booklet is something given to all teachers from our District and it's basically a weekly calendar with room for lesson plans, and mapping out scope and sequence. 

Is your Teacher Binder similar or totally different? What sections do you absolutely have to have in your binder? Did you download any of my planning documents? Share below!

ME + TARGET = MAD LOVE

Earlier this week I walked into my happy place, Target, and as I was greeted by the smell of popcorn and soft pretzels I was also greeted by this beautiful entrance:

At first, I was a little taken back by the sight of school supplies in the middle of July... but then I looked around and saw freshly sharpened pencils, reams of lined paper, and it was like Christmas morning. I turned towards the $1-$3 bins (my kryptonite!) and ran into some AMAZING finds! If you're starting to think about your back to school preparation wants/needs, you'll probably want to head to Target to see all of the wonderful stamps, pencils, stickers, banners, and more for your classroom. Today, I'm going to share with you some of my favorite finds from the dollar bin section and how I'm incorporating them into my classroom to show off My Teacher Style.  

Okay, so these clothespins were obviously way too cute to pass up!! They came six in a pack for $3. I loved the way that they looked and figured I could find some way to use them in my classroom. What I ended up doing was adhering a thick strip of magnet-tape to the back of each. You can find magnet tape at just about any craft store (I found some at Walmart for about $3). I super glued the magnet tape to the back of the clothes pins to make sure that it was very secure. After they dried I tested them out and I couldn't be happier with the results! I put them on my white board, and plan on using them to hold up anchor charts, showcase student work, or hold some "no name" papers... so much more personal than regular magnet clips.

This Classroom Rules sign caught my eye right off the bat. I loved the design, colors, and message so of course I had to say YES. There is a sink area towards the back of my classroom and that is where I decided to place this sign. I figure as students get a sip of water, wash up, or are waiting in line to take their turn, it's a great little reminder of what kind of culture we want in our room.

My final find that I'm sharing with you today is this little glass No. 2 Pencil Jar. I was trying to figure out how I wanted to use it, but I ended up deciding to be a little selfish. I've placed in on top of one of the file cabinets behind my desk-area and I'm going to fill it with some M&Ms or some sort of chocolate just for me as a little break.

So Target has done it again, and my classroom has just become a little more cute-ified because of it. Have you found any great pieces this summer at Target (or someplace else) to show off your Teacher Style in your classroom? Is the Target Dollar Bin section your kryptonite as well? Comment below!

CUTE CLASSROOM KEYS

A fun way to show off your Teacher Style at your school is by personalizing your keys. I did mine last week (pictured above) in school colors and LOVED the results. You can personalize your keys too in a few easy steps. To start the process gather the following supplies: keys, colored nail polish, clear nail polish, tape, glitter (if desired).

Step 1: Wash keys. You want to make sure you get all of the dirt and grime off before you start the beautification process.

Step 2: Cover section of keys that you do not want to get paint/glitter on in tape. I used clear Scotch Tape and it worked just fine.

Step 3: Cover top portion of keys in one coat of clear nail polish.

Step 4: Paint keys in color of your choice. Do two coats on each side waiting 15-30 minutes (varies depending on polish used) between coats for it to dry well. After you're satisfied with the color of your keys move on to Step 5 while nail polish is fresh.

Step 5: Sprinkle glitter on keys while nail polish is still wet. I decided to only do glitter on one side of my keys, but you may cover both sides (or not do any) if you like.

Step 6: After glitter is set, cover in 2-3 coats of nail polish waiting 15-30 minutes (once again, just depends on your nail polish brand) between coats.

Step 7: After top coat has tried, remove tape and ... Enjoy!!!

Did you glitter-ize your keys? Did this post help you in the process? If so, share your experience below!

FALL 2014- SPRING 2015 STYLING

Parent/Teacher Conferences - Spring 2015

This conference look helped me feel comfortable while professional and pulled together. I wear this watch every day so that I'm not constantly pulling out my cell phone or having to stop by a classroom to look at the clock if I'm on-the-go.

Watch- Target

Patterned Pencil Skirt- Target

Yellow Blouse- Walmart

Black Ballet Flats- Target

Everyday Look - Winter 2015

I love layering in the Fall and Winter... how about you? Added a statement necklace for a little sparkle and interest.

Chambray Shirt- Target

Blush Sweater- H&M

Statement Necklace- Claire's

Parent/Teacher Conferences - Fall 2014

I cannot say enough how much I LOVE chambray! It can be layered over or under, dressed up, or casual. I wore this look to Parent/Teacher Conferences. It's cute & classy.

Statement Necklace- Walmart (there now- $5)

Chambray Shirt- Target

Black Aline Skirt- H&M

Red Ribbon Week - Fall 2014

For Red Ribbon Week I wanted to show support while looking classy and stylish. I love layering different patterns and textures.

Sweater- Target

Chambray shirt- Target

Lipstick- Wet 'n Wild/ Stoplight/ 911D