Oh Hey There :)

Wife, momma, teacher. ENFJ-T. 2w3. Romans 15:13.

[joyabounds]

This year already feels different.

It’s not admin, or my team. The curriculum still blows and the state is demanding things that are impossible.

But my mindset hasn’t felt this focused or flexible in several years. I ended last school year knowing I would never repeat 25-26: how I thought, how I reacted, how I drowned, how I allowed myself to let go and become someone I disliked… and it seems that’s the difference; the mindset I choose.

So far, I like where I am. Somewhere in the middle between Let Them and FAFO, and rose-colored naïveté. I’m happy for it.

Anywayyyy I’ve been looking at my classroom with what feels like fresh eyes. I will do things my way, the way I was trained through my psychology degree and child development courses. I will follow the standards and use the curriculum to guide, but ultimately this is my classroom and my 40-something students. They’re still kids. They need play, and laughter, and read alouds, and writing practice. They need off these gd screens.

I’m feeling good; my goal is to keep it that way.

[joyabounds]

EOY School Updates!

The last school year was AWFUL. Check back in my most recent posts for a reminder, but truly it was a terrible year.

That said, I got the best STAAR results out of the whole team and carried the school RLA accountability ratings on my shoulders. 💅 I will absofugginglutely shout this from the rooftops over and over because I DID THE HARD THINGS AND IT PAID OFF!

My Accountability: B

Teammates’: C, D, D

I also had the most growth in SpEd students (of which I had 95% of the entire grade level), high-achieving (masters) students, and dyslexia kids.

I also went up to Exemplary status in TIA from 24-25 years’ data (earning me $10,000), and my admin believes that my data for 25-26 school year should boost me to Mastery status (which is an extra $25,000).

Like, YES. After such a completely GARBAGE year, I at least benefitted and had a rainbow at the end of the storm!

[joyabounds]

It’s about that time…

We are in the final weeks of summer and my mind is starting the initial preps of what meals, after school activities, and my own personal hobbies might look like.

Today, I am:

•Curating our Meal Matrix, and including categories like “super simple”, and “healthier”, and “delicious but more prep.”

•Buying the final items needed for school supplies, including updating lunchboxes from plastic to stainless steel (not a full overhaul, but steps towards a full change)

•Talking through possible schedule changes for the kids, including dropping after school activities for the fall semester (we don’t want this, but the BJJ gym we use is changing things and uggghhh)

•Looking at whether I want 4:30am workouts, or to do classroom workouts after dismissal

This summer has been FULL of the BEST memories. It’s been busy, but not needlessly so. I feel like we spent our summer break well, and though I’m not ready for it to be over, I’m also not dreading returning to school because I feel like we really did get the most out of this break.

[joyabounds]

I think there’s about to be a huge shake-up at our campus. Nobody has been told by admin what their role is next year, and we have 9 work days until summer.

I have a feeling I may get moved down to 3rd grade.

[joyabounds]

More clues I might be moved to 3rd.

I don’t want to. 😩

5 more days with students, and NOBODY is confirmed for where they’ll be next year, and NOBODY has any info.

[joyabounds]

I think there’s about to be a huge shake-up at our campus. Nobody has been told by admin what their role is next year, and we have 9 work days until summer.

I have a feeling I may get moved down to 3rd grade.

[joyabounds]

10 more work days before I can give a gigantic 🖕🏻 to this school year for good.

[joyabounds]

I allowed myself to count up my accomplishments for the last two weeks today, which led me to count my successes for this incredibly difficult school year.

I did that. Me. I did it.

The worst days, I did it.

The mediocre weeks, I did it.

The struggling months, I did it.

The painful and difficult year, I did it.

On a professional level, personal level, and everything in between… this year showed me that I can do hard things, even when I fail.

[joyabounds]

They made it!!! 😭😭😭

[joyabounds]

Happy Easter from the President of the United States of America

[joyabounds]

I didn’t even acknowledge St. Patrick’s Day with my children this year, which is very off brand for me.

I’ll be interested to see if that part of me shows back up once this school year is good and gone.

[joyabounds]

3/26 - I’ve already begun to plan and set the foundations for April fool’s pranks at school and home… which means the work I’m putting in to Let Go is effective.

I’m not done yet, but it’s rewarding to see progress.

[joyabounds]

I can’t actually believe that anyone would genuinely want a robot to teach their child.

[joyabounds]

Witnessing my husband effectively parent our kids is such a turn-on.

[joyabounds]

I didn’t even acknowledge St. Patrick’s Day with my children this year, which is very off brand for me.

I’ll be interested to see if that part of me shows back up once this school year is good and gone.

[joyabounds]

Has anyone taken their kids to see Hoppers yet? I saw some adult reviews on TikTok about how it’s a very emotional movie — I guess like Toy Story can be?

But it’s spring break and I’d love to take the kids to see a movie, and there’s nothing else kid friendly.

[joyabounds]

Oh, Spring Break

This is our first year in 14 years together we haven't had this break off at the same time.

My husband was off last week (lucky him, house to himself to do whatever he wanted). The kids and I have off this week, and I am already eye-twitching at the struggles that are inevitable. While yes, I can manage the kids during the day and keep them busy, I won't quite have the respite at the end of the day that will be much needed because it's UIL/contest season, and my husband is already going to be StReSsEd from that alone.

A bit of a pity party for me here... where is my break? :(

[joyabounds]

I fear a colleague that I’ve worked with for 4 years thinks I’m a clique-y mean girl, when in fact, I’m just finally working on a team with women/friends who value me beyond what I offer and helped me learn how to set boundaries.

[joyabounds]

I’m surprising my husband with a Pretty Big Gift for Valentine’s Day, and he either absolutely knows I have it, or he’s going to be REALLY surprised and excited.

The guy won’t stop mentioning how much he wants it, or something related to it. I have no idea if I’m going to be able to wait until Feb. 14 to give it to him. 😂