Ch Ch Ch Changes

A few things about my new and exciting job(s) journey that starts TOMORROW!

1) People seem to think I know what I'm doing. While I do have multiple years of experience working with individuals with disabilities I struggle to label myself a specialist. Not because I don't think I know what I'm doing, but rather it makes me feel old. I cannot believe that this is my 5th year of teaching! And, yes I am aware that some of you reading this have been teaching for a lot longer than me and think I am crazy for feeling old. Too bad: it is what it is. Also, what does specialist mean anyway? It's not like I'm going to be able to use my knowledge in the field to coerce kids to do what I want. They are the ones who are ultimately going to dictate what is learned (with my guidance of course) and many times I feel like I learn more from them than they do from me.

2) On Friday I get to go on an exciting 1.5 hour bus tour of Harrisonburg. I don't know what I'm going to learn about this city that I've lived in for 8 (wow!) years, but I will be sure to keep you posted if we find a new feed plant, or hitching post for your horse and buggy.

3) JMU starts one week after Stone Spring. I had a little freak-out sesh about if I was actually qualified to teach college at the age of 25, but now I'm cool with it. I'm stoked to have the opportunity to spread awareness and knowledge about that field I am so passionate about. I have 80 students who willingly or unwillingly are going to hear my stories about the countless special people who have impacted my life. From childhood playing hide-and-seek in my uncle's restaurant with Norman, to working at camp and in the classroom, to my interactions with family members-they get to hear it all. And, it is my desire that they come away with just a little piece of the treasure that my heart holds. Because a little exposure can plant a seed, and a seed can grow into a vine, and then well you get the picture.

4) Non-job related but so job related-I moved. One of the main reasons, besides wanting to use my degree and work in special education, I changed jobs was because Clymore was so far away. Well this week I moved. I am now 5 minutes from school, 3 minutes from JMU (because my class is on the ISAT side so no Port traffic-hallelujah), and 7 minutes from the gym. I can bike and walk to places and am just happy about being centrally located. Yay for living in the community where I work. And, no I won't leave my favorite farmers alone either-you don't leave family!

Here's to doing things that scare me. Growing as a person. Trusting in God because he hasn't led me wrong yet!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
*I'm thankful to be blessed beyond words and am shouting his praise in my life as it is revealed before me.*

"Back to school back to school to prove to dad that I'm not a fool"

*Disclaimer: I am well aware that hebdomadal means "weekly" and I haven't posted since June aka not weekly. It's summer. I've been busy.*

My first back to school dream occurred last night. It is here! The new year is upon us!

I've been going through kindergarten withdrawal the past few weeks. As the aisles have filled with markers, glue sticks, crayons, and hand sanitizer my heart has filled with nostalgia. The excitement and nervousness of the first day will be different. I won't have 20 bright eyed-some with tears- 4 and 5 year olds ogling at their new school and "giant" teacher. (*Sidenote-one of the upcoming kindergarteners actually referred to me as "the giant" over the last two years. I can't wait to hear about the first day for her and other soon to be K kids I know.) I'm not sure what the main point of my first day will be. For the past four it has been getting students into the classroom, making sure they eat at some point, and getting them on the right bus or in the right car to go home in one piece, at least halfway happy at the end of the day.

I will miss my K team-a group of very dedicated teachers and even better friends.

They are going to need someone to pick up the comedy and the blackhole (I admittedly have organizational problems) in my room that I took with me, but I'm sure one or two can step up to the plate. They are all good sharers which is a very important kindergarten trait.

 I will miss popping across the hall to ask Kristen questions or chat even though I ended up scaring her 93% of the time because she would so engrossed preparing for her students that she wouldn't notice me coming into the room. But, as busy as she was she always entertained my conversations and for that I am thankful.

I will also miss my hundreds of lunchtime conversations with a little friend named Ann. We started at Clymore together and my next-door neighbor, planning partner, salt to my pepper teacher has been through it all with me. I'll have to find some way to mess with her through email or some other form of technology and she will have to find someone else to reach things for her when someone *probably me* put them too high on a shelf.

The one thing I will NOT miss is memorizing 20 lunch numbers and bus numbers. I tried to come up with some other things, but I just can't at this time, so I'll stop trying and know that with the mixed feelings of the unknown great things can and will come. Go forth little K stars and shine this year, you have some of the best teachers on this planet. And, to my favorite 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders on the planet, I love you too.