Cups

As I'm on my way to school on this beautiful Sunday morning, the popular song "Cups" from the movie "Pitch Perfect" starts playing on the radio, and it reminded me of a little conversation I had with a student on Friday...

Our class was working on a class book about the first week of school. As I was walking around checking on the students' work, I noticed one quite lively boy was filling his new clipboard (the kind that has a storage area inside for papers) with all of his school supplies rather than working on the book with us. I have the students keep their supplies in little cups so they are easy to access and carry with them if they are working at other places around the room. Well, in an effort to stay positive and redirect his behavior, I ask him, "Why did you empty all of your supplies out of your cup?" ...with the hope that he would simply put everything back and get back on task. Instead, he looked up at me with that "caught" expression on his face and very nonchalantly said, "I just wanted to play Cups..." Then, he precedes to flip over the cup and start playing the song, which he did quite well. What else is a teacher to do except smile. Kids and their sense of humor and innocence never cease to amaze me. :) 

Happy Sunday, everyone! 

Teacher Appreciation Week

The great thing about teaching first grade is that teacher appreciation day/week comes nearly every day in the form of pictures, words, hugs, and so on, but this week (the "official" teacher appreciation week), I am completely spoiled with wonderful gifts from my students and families. I am so grateful for all of their kindness and support! Here are just a few of the wonderful things I have received!

Idea Behind "Memoirs of a Teacher"

As I began my teaching career, people told me to keep a journal of all the funny and silly things kids did or said.  Well, as the old saying goes...it is easier said than done.  As my first year of teaching quickly consumed my life, the last thing I felt that I had time to do was to record all the funny or sweet things that happened in my classroom.  I was always concerned about the next deadline I had to meet or parent I had to contact...and so on.  Well, as I near the end of my second year of teaching, I have realized that far too many moments in my teaching career have went by--unrecorded, and soon, not remembered... So, in an effort to remember those moments and share them with others, I have created this blog, Memoirs of a Teacher.  

I hope you enjoy the wonderful stories I share and appreciate the innocence of the children I get the opportunity to work with every day!  As I heard at a recent teacher banquet..."Teaching is the most difficult job, but also the most rewarding."  This blog is for all of the stories that make me remember why I became a teacher!