My First Sunday Scoop... and it's on a Monday

I'm linking up with Teaching Trio for "The Sunday Scoop!" Their linky title makes me want an ice cream sundae... Yum.

  

3 things I have to do:

1. Laundry- Seems to be a common theme for this linky party. It's a never ending battle.
2. Cook dinner- I'm actually pretty excited about it. Bertolli makes these great frozen pasta bags. You just put everything in a skillet and heat! They're so easy and SO delicious! Tonight we're having Chicken Florentine over Farfalle. Mm mm mm!
3. Start working on SGOs. In New Jersey, SGOs are part of our teacher evaluations. They are long-term academic goals that teachers set for homogenous groups of students in their classes. I've been collecting data to create my tiered groups. I just need to analyze it all!

2 thing's I hope to do:

1. Stop being sick!- I woke up with a sore throat yesterday and I'm nervous because strep is going around with the kiddos. I hope that's not what I'm getting! I can't afford to miss any more school.
2. Spend some quality time with my boyfriend- Life has been so crazy lately with being sick and starting my new job. He is the most supportive person in my life. I'd love to just spend a lazy Sunday together just catch up. Hopefully this weekend!

1 thing I'm happy to do:

1. Finally be blogging!- As I mentioned in my last post, I had big plans for this blog. I'm hoping to post at least once a week from now on!

I am so happy that Teaching Trio created this linky. It's short and sweet and it makes my one post a week goal seem realistic!

Can't wait to check out your posts!

xo Liv

P.S. I really need a button for my blog for these linky parties. Any advice? I have no idea how to make one!

As could have been expected...

I had big plans for this blog. Huge. I was going to post at least once a week with all of my teaching adventures: setting up my classroom, professional development, new teacher orientation... I was going to post pictures, give credit to all of the great Teacher Bloggers I purchased resources from, show their products in action! I wanted to do a perfect classroom reveal, detail my first week's activities, gush about my adorable kiddos... As could have been expected, life just gets in the way!

As I'm sure all of you are well aware, the beginning of the year is a WHIRLWIND of planning, paperwork, routines, procedures, etc... and this being my first year of teaching... it has been hectic. I had the added misfortune of MISSING my first week of school. On the morning of my first teacher in-service day, I woke up with the vertigo of all vertigos. I ended up in the hospital for two days because I was unable to even lift my head from the dizziness. It was a terrible experience, but the absolute WORST part of it all was that I missed my students' first two days of school! My principal was so supportive and I had a great substitute who really accomplished a lot in my absence, but needless to say I was heartbroken to miss my first two days of my first ever teaching job. I was determined not to let this hinder my first days of school plans... so I just pretended Monday was the first day for all of us! Last week was my first full week. I spent a lot of time getting to know my kiddos, establishing routines and procedures, and really just getting my head on straight after being sick. Without going into too much detail, it was a challenging week but a successful one in general.

I am hoping to begin blogging more now that I've officially started teaching and I feel like I've finally got some sanity in my schedule. I'd love to eventually share some pictures of my room soon!

I'm not sure how many readers I have, but if there are any of you out there I would LOVE to read any advice you have for the first weeks of school!

xo Liv

The First One

Hello to anyone on the web who happened to stumble across my little piece of the blogosphere! I wanted to write an introductory post before I start my... drumroll please... very first year of teaching!

I began this blog a few months ago when I started student teaching. I had anticipated sharing my adventures I would have with my fantastic third graders, but I decided I to hold off until I had a true classroom of my own. I instead spent the last few months stalking the blogs of other lovely educators, gaining inspiration, motivation, and more love than I could imagine for this wonderful career.

I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in December 2013, after which I began student teaching third grade. The four months I spent in that classroom were a whirlwind of emotions on both ends of the spectrum. I laughed, I cried, it was crazy! I wouldn't change anything. I was so sad to see it end and I've missed my kiddos, but I was excited to begin the job hunt. I applied to countless school districts, but just when my faith was beginning to falter, I received a call for an interview!  The level of nerves I experienced throughout the interview process is not to be underestimated. However, I kept my head up and had faith in my abilities. After an interview with the principal, a demo lesson, and a final interview with the superintendent, I can say that it was all worth it.

I am happy thrilled ECSTATIC to announce to the world that I am officially a Fourth Grade Teacher!

I will be teaching math and science in an upper elementary (4th & 5th grade) school and I could not be more excited! I cannot wait to meet my colleagues, grade-level teammates, and of course.. my STUDENTS! It will surely be an adventure, and I am excited to share my experiences with all of you!

Stay tuned!

xo Liv