Creating a Classroom They Never Want To Leave: Chapter 1 "Who Are You?"

Creating A Classroom They Never Want To Leave
Chapter 1
"Who Are You?"

I started with this particular topic because it is the MOST important of all when it comes to your classroom and you as a teacher. If you have no clue how to answer the question “Who Are You?”, you are going to spend a lot of time battling yourself, the students in your care as well as their parents, and the staff in which you work with. Your school year will become more stressful than it needs to be and sadly you will begin to feel the excitement for the new year dissipate  as well as your energy.

It took me a few years in the classroom day in and day out before I realized that if I didn’t know who I was inside and outside of the classroom then I was just playing school like I did when I was a child. If you enter the classroom without knowing your beliefs as a teacher, than you are short changing yourself as well as those under your care.

I highly recommend you take some time and write out a Teacher’s Creed for yourself. There are many online that you can view if you just type in the words “teacher’s creed” in a google search. Basically a creed is a set of fundamental beliefs. So a teacher’s creed is mainly a list of your beliefs of personal responsibility as a teacher and how you want your classroom to run from that list. I will share a bit of mine as an example but please know that this has to be done on a personal level. None of us will have the same exact beliefs and we all teach different.

Mrs. Sheila’s Teacher’s Creed for 2015-2016

1.      Every day is a new gift that I will embrace as such as soon as my eyes open in the morning. Just as I open a gift, I will gently open the day without expectation and will be appreciative for whatever may be inside.

2.       Each child deserves a fresh start, every single day. What was done the day before, no longer matters today and was just a stepping stone for what’s to come.

3.      When I walk into the building, any of my worries of the tiny world I live in will be left at my Savior’s feet. No child deserves to carry the weight of any of my concerns, and as God’s child neither do I.

4.      I am not my student’s friend, but their teacher. In that we have the promise of friendship the following year when they are no longer under my care.

5.      I will assist my coworkers anyway I can to ensure unity in our program and encouragement along the way. Division is not an option. Complacency should not be encouraged but rather inspiration to take it to the next level should be the normal.

That is just an example of what my creed would look like as I know where my weaknesses are, as well as my strengths. I know that outside of that school building I have a busy life that involves four people that I am somehow responsible for one way or another. Being a wife and a mother is a high priority to me, but once I walk inside that building if I am going to be the best teacher I can be, I need to be completely present. I cannot be present if I am too worried about situations that I really cannot do anything about until after work anyhow. I have to leave those thing at the door. I almost envision an imaginary wall that I walk through as I walk through the doors of the school. As soon as I walk through, I become a different person. I am not mom, though many students accidentally call me mom from time to time. J I am Mrs. Sheila and with that title comes a HUGE responsibility. See, I don’t see myself as just a preschool teacher. I am helping to lay the foundation for these kids for their whole educational career. It’s a heavy responsibility and it is often achieved in those moments that many brush off as mundane or every day moments. The nothing special to the naked eye, unless you are in my classroom every single day, day in and day out to see the progress that was made.

Progress cannot be noted if you do not learn who those kids are! If you don’t know their ins and their outs, you will never know what you’re working with unless they happen to be one of the few that remain pretty steady throughout the year. Remember I teach preschoolers so they change so much day to day, let alone hour by hour! They can be moody but if I get to know them I can usually spot those things ahead of time helping me to detour around or gear them up for some personal conflict resolution. If I know that when Jenny’s grandma brings her, Jenny is likely to be clingy and tired I can come up with ways to buffer the goodbye and throw in a few relaxation activities early on. If I just assumed that Jenny was having a bad day however, and instead of adjusting the environment to meet her needs but instead make Jenny rise up to meet my needs we are going to have conflict all day and sadly find ourselves taking steps back in any progress we might have made.

At the beginning of the school year, and often with little reminders throughout the entire year, I make it know that I cannot be my students’ best friend. They try, the desire it, almost beg me to be their friend until I let them know that I can’t be their friend and their teacher at the same time. I always tell them that next year when they are not in my class anymore I will come see them in their new class and I can be their friend then. Most times this puts a smile on their face and we have a mutual respect. It doesn’t mean they can’t trust me, that I don’t care, or that I don’t like them. It simply means that I have a job to do, and sometimes friends do not always hold one another up to the same standard as one would in a professional relationship. Don’t believe me? Take a look around your staff at your school. It is inevitable that we are going to find friends, but in that, we lower our standards for one another if we are not careful. We give a pat on the back and a “that’s okay” when we should be giving a pep talk and some professional encouragement to take it up a notch.

One of the best ways I can share to get to know your students is to simply spend time with them observing what is happening when they are in free play and given activities with directions. When I say observe them, I mean really watch them. To someone who may see you from a doorway they may think you are just sitting there, but if you are taking in every conversation happening around you in the way the children interact with one another it may just amaze you! It is so easy at the beginning of the year to set hefty goals and find our way trying to meet those goals in the time frame in which we allotted. But if we do not know the children in your care (whether you have them every single day or just an hour), you honestly have no clue what goals are even achievable! I used to get a lot of flak from other teachers because I never use the same exact lesson plan year after year. Being in the same age group for eleven years, I can tell you I have never had one class that was exactly the same and could achieve the same goals. To be honest, I would never give each class the same goals to reach anyway. Just as no child is the same, no teacher is the same and no class is the same.

I have learned that each child in my care, deserves the best the teacher I can be and getting to know them inside and out is the best way to do that. If I know what sparks a light in their eyes, brings them comfort, and encourages them to be who they were created to be I have done my job as a teacher. If not, I am wasting my time, the children’s time, and the parents money (as I work for a private tuition based preschool).

Make this year be the year you get to know each and every child for who they are and find out what makes them tick. By doing so, they will value your relationship with them and in turn, will be free to be who they are instead of what others expect them to be.

“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.” ~ Josh Shipp

January's Book Reviews: Attacking one of my 2015 goals

One of my personal goals for 2015 is to read 24 books by the end of the year. To reach that goal, I know I need to read a minimum of 2 books a month. I am blessed to say that I reached January's goal of reading 2 books! Both books.... I would highly recommend to add to your list.

1. Twelve Lessons by Kate Spencer
I read this off of a suggestion from a Facebook group that I am apart of, I had no clue how much I would ADORE this book from cover to cover. I was intrigued. If a book can't grab ahold of me, and draw me in quick, I am not wasting my time. This book... filled that fun pleasure of forming these characters from head to toe in my head as I read along. I cried. I laughed out loud. I learned some life lessons of my own. That is what I call a good book! I give a 5* rating out of 5! Feel free to get your copy from Amazon HERE.

2. The Noticer By; Andy Andrews
OH my word! Where do I begin with this book? It was easy for me to relate the character "Jones" to God. Have you ever seen the  movie Bruce Almighty or even Evan Almighty? Morgan Freeman played a good God character. Anyway, this was an amazing book and I learned to begin to look at things with a whole new perspective ~ down to the little details. I LOVED it from cover to cover. If you feel like your stuck in a rut and need a new look on things~ take a peek at this book. I did not buy this one for myself as I checked it out of the library, but this would be one I would want for my own personal library. It can also be found on Amazon. It too would get a 5* out of 5!

February starts tomorrow and I start reading a new book too!

What are YOU reading?

Book Review & Giveaway : Song of Renewal

Back in December, I was approached via email by The Story Plant to read and review a book here on the blog. First, let me tell you what an honor that in itself was. When I received the book, I was finishing a book that I had began reading prior to receiving the exciting package.

Song of Renewal is an amazing tale that will bring Hope to any situation you are facing that seems hopeless. From marriage, to a near death experience, this book had me pondering my own life. Personally, the relationship between Liza and her sister Charlcy was a bit painful to read, as most of you know about the death of my sister back in November. However, it kept me turning the pages, through laughter, tears, anger, and almost a sense of desperation for the characters and the situations they were dealing with. I was honored, to be able to read of such a tale. Emily Sue Harvey did a spectacular job in painting the picture of each character so that they came alive the more I read.

A big thank you to The Story Plant for choosing me to read and review this book.(I was not paid for my review, nor would I ask to be. Reading is an honor and a pleasure in my life. However, the book was sent to me for free to review.)

It is my pleasure to offer this book (my review copy) to one of my lucky readers to enjoy as well. I truly believe in the aspect of "Pay it forward", and I love the idea of helping others find renewal in their own lives that could come from reading this story.

To be able to be eligible for this book, simply post a comment in the comment section. You can easily just say you would like the book for one entry per comment (limit one per day please). If you would like to earn two entries per comment (one per day please) then share a story that you may have where you have seen signs of renewal whether it be in a relationship, or in one's own personal life. All entries will be accepted through midnight (CST) on Friday February 11, 2011.

Book Review: Call Me Mrs. Miracle

Every year, I love to spend time in the evenings reading a Christmas tale or two. I read a lot of non fiction books (especially this year), so from time to time, it's nice to let go and just enjoy a good story. This story did NOT fail to bring a smile to my face, or the Joy of Christmas to my heart. Mrs. Merkle or Mrs. Miracle as she was "accidentally" portrayed was such a feisty little one. She could easily fit the bill for your favorite grandma!

Debbie Macomber includes a few tasty recipes in this tale as well, which sound delightful. As one of my favorite authors, it was my pleasure to purchase this book and read it just as my Christmas break was about to begin. I was actually sad when the story ended but only because I wanted to read more. If your looking for a nice read this week, I highly suggest this book!




P.S. I did not receive this book for review, but chose to do so on my own because I really liked the book! While I am given books to review from time to time, I fully purchased this book on my own.

Christmas Book Review : "Little Star"

I was approached by the Author of this book (Anthony DeStefano) to read and review. In fact, Mr. DeStefano gave me this book to review back in the Fall. I wanted to completely wait until it was the perfect time to read it to my classroom. This week was the week!

From an audiance of three (and a few four) year olds, this  was such a lovely story. I don't want to tell the story, becauase I seriously encourage you to purchase this for any child. My eleven year old read it before I did, and she was almost in tears. Her first reaction was "Mom! THIS was a GOOD story!" My eleven year old is pretty picky and to get this from her is a HUGE compliment to Mr. DeStafano. The tender tale of the "Christmas Star" is one that will continue to be read the last week of school in my classroom before Christmas break every year that I continue to teach. In fact, next year, I may just purchase one for each child in my classroom.

Mr. DeStafano ~ thank you for sharing the truth of God's word in a way that makes it easy for children to "get it'. As adults we often make things so complicated. And thank you, for sharing your treasures with me to share in my classroom. I am honored and blessed beyond words. May you have a very merry Christmas!

Spring has sprung and have I got a spring in my step!

Wise words, time to ponder, and those punk hurdles

Wise words
There has been alot going in in blogland, and one particular post got a few of you out there pondering some things. Funny thing is, I think I have touched based on this, yet barely looked past just the surface of it all. So while reading Believe It, Be It: How Being the Biggest Loser Won Me Back My Life, a few more things popped up.

In order to have any chance of success, I've lerned that you have to accept yourself and let go of the past failures or weakness that have been holding you back. It's important to look forward, not backward to get really clear on your future and what YOU want to be. It's not written in stone. Once you know what you want your life to look like, you can figure out how to make it happen. (Ali Vincient pg 12 Chapter: Where change begins)

So, for this post I am going to ponder failures and weaknesses that have been holding me back, look to where I am currently, and where I want to be in my near future.

First, I am going back to my "aha moment" that started this journey back in April of 2008. THAT is why I am here. I am here to change my life, and hopefully inspire others to do the same along side of me. Sometimes I get too focused on others, and my own journey takes a break, but I always come back full circle to why I am here.

My failures (Time to ponder)
1. Showing love: Sometimes I show too much love and appreciation through food, yet not anywhere else.  This is including but not limited to myself.
2. Going from plan to plan, always looking for a new fix. (I know low carb works, but even to this day, I don't know if I can continue for the rest of my life.)
3. Focusing on the outside forgetting that if it is junky on the inside then the outside packaging doesn't matter.
4. Not understanding when someone doesn't see things as clearly as I do, when I know they should. (Yeah, I will admit to being judgemental)

My Weaknesses (Punk Hurdles)
1. Junk food. I will find a way to squeeze it in my week. I find comfort in it, yet immediately feel terrible mentally and emotionally afterwards.
2. Looking at #1, I realize that I have a weakness to feel bad about myself. I think too often I can find my weaknesses and failures and I hold on to them .... for a cushion whenI feel abanadoned, or rejected.

I have to stop here, because this is the first time that I realize that I often eat to find a way to be upset with myself. I am floored. I never thought this was a possibility, to WANT to hate myself, and be so self destructive but yet I think I have been doing it and finding satisfaction in it. I am seriously speechless.
3. Eating or shall I say binging in private. Sneaking food. I haven't done that in so long, but yet it has come back full force, especially this week. I think I feel very inadequate at times when I am NOT in the classroom or working outside the home.  

WOW! Again I have to stop! Looking at the times I struggle, they so correlate with times I am off work. This Spring Break has been HARD! Christmas break is HARD! Summer is just as HARD! Wow! Why? I love my life and I do get deep satisfaction from it, but when I am not consistently in the classroom/ or working, then I guess maybe I do feel not worthy of simple pleasure without "earning" it through hard work.

4. Putting a price on holidays. It always has to revolve around the food, which is a big stresser. Why?

Looking ForwardI am looking forward to letting go of those failures and weaknesses and yet now that I see them, I have no clue where to begin. I am shocked really, at what has come forth just by sharing this little bit. But I can tell you I see a clear direction of what I need to work on. I guess, it pays to sit down and be honest with yourself from time to time. *sigh* This is definately a life changing journey, and one that I welcome. Even the hard parts like this.

I am off now ~ going to go get dinner prepped, clean up some, and take more advil for this headache. Until tomorrow, I wish you wellness, happiness, and joy.

A trip to the library has changed my life

A Blessing to this Momma's Heart

On Friday, I am proud to announce that we replaced our children's bibles. Our Daughter, was ready for the "next step" and I really wanted to get her a girly one. In fact, I need to order a few more items which I will share when I get them in. They are going to be for her birthday this year. Kris is 10, and will be eleven in August, and starting Jr. High. We are entering a pretty scary time for her, as well as me. I remember Jr. High, and it still brings back lots of ill feelings. Sure, I had alot of good times, but the bad ones just took over in my mind and memory.

For Kristen I got her the Faithgirlz Backpack Bible. The twins had story bibles that they had gotten for preschool graduation. Well, they will soon be eight and it was time to move it on up a bit. So for them, I picked up the NIV Adventure Bible. Now I know kids get excited when they get new things. BUT.... the overwhelming joy that was on their face when they knew they were getting new bibles was just something every momma should experience. It wasn't a video game, a new CD, the hottest sneakers. No. It was God's word! AND .... I can say they have begun digging in it to find scriptures already!

I want my children to be so involved in God's word that it is a daily need of theirs. I still struggle getting into the word everyday. I buy all these study materials and well, I allow other things to take priority. The love of learning that my children have has put a spark in my own heart to get excited about God's word, His truth. I want to dig in. In fact on Friday I found an amazing study material that I felt was needed for my own life. And if you read yesterday's post, then the title of the study is so fitting for what season in my life I am headed toward.

Being Yourself: How do I take off this mask? by Women of Faith Studyguide series. I actually got mine at Sam's, and they have several in the series. I am starting this one this evening, after all settles down. If I like it, and feel like I get anything from it, I will go back and choose a few more. This one was just so fitting for me because I am always trying to please everyone.

As this new season in my life begins, as well as the new season on Earth, I am finding myself longing for quiet times. I LOVE spring! And our mild temperatures, budding trees, and singing birds are telling me that it is coming soon! Spring break for us is next week. I am so ready. Ready to just be a wife an a mother for a week. NO other responsibilities. LOVE IT!

Have a blessed  Monday my dear friends.

The Baxters: Redemption Series (Book Review)

The Baxters: Redemption Series
I just finished reading this series and let me tell you, it has changed my whole mental capacity of family. The mother of the children ( yes ADULT children which I cannot even fathom at this point) is simply just amazing. I just wanna say 'I want to be like Elizabeth when I grow up." As I finished this series last night, I was just broken, but first let me explain. When I read, especially fiction, I formulate these characters in my brain, in that special creative little pocket as I always have. I think that is why I love reading, because it becomes personal. I get "involved" and often take on many of the emotions that are being displayed in the storyline. When it gets sad, touching, I cry. When the characters are angry, I get angry too. Just in the last two weeks I have read four of the five books. That is alot of reading. But for me, it is alot of processing. The exciting thing is this series continues ~ with two other sets about the Baxters!! But, emotionally I need a break!
If you like reading books about Christian familes, friendships, and a bit of romance this is a fantastic series. I love how Karen Kingsbury invovles scripture and a solid foundation in this book. It gives you hope, and yet something to work towards in your own life.

The best part of this, my local library has this entire series in it's selves! So, it didn't cost me a dime! Now, I need to move on with my other books on my summer reading list ~~~> to the right hand side over there. I will start reading "Summer on Blossom Street" by Debbie Macomber this evening. ~ Smile~ I have read the other books in this series and bought this when it was just released. BUT... then I got caught up in not having much time to read, then getting caught up in this series I just finished. LOVE it!

Between Sundays

I absolutely love reading. Summer reading is the best, because well, there is no time limit! For us anyway. I mean if I get into a storyline, and I usually do, and just can't put the book down, well ~ I dont'! During the school year I often have to peddal through the books when I can grab 20 minutes before bed or whatnot.

Anyway, I just finished my first Karen Kingsbury book and I have a feeling I picked the right one to start with. Between Sundays captivated me from the get go, and when I read if I am not captivated, I might as well not go any further.





As a writer, I get very invovled in characters, so when I read I am the same way. This book was an emotional roller coaster ride, that has left footprints on my heart for a long time. I will forever remember that this book challenged me to not only make my mark in this world on Sundays, but also and mainly between Sundays!

I definately give this book a 5 star rating, and would even recommend REREADING it one day.

As a deer pants for water...

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  Psalm 42:1 NIV

That is where my heart is today. I have just been in a spirit of worship today. I have not "dealt with" all that I needed to this morning with the Lord, and I feel incomplete. This is what I have longed for! I need that unity with my Father, that love letter with my first love. I need that passion back, both with my Lord and Savior, with my Father the Creator of all things, the Holy Spirit ~ my communicator when I am speechless, and with my husband.

Prayer and passion, two things I can no longer go without, that I was completly dry on! Those streams were dry as dust.

Deep calls to deep  in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. Psalm 42:7

As I was taking the sheets off the Master Bed this morning to launder, I had this urge to begin praying for my husband, for myself, for our marriage, for our passion to explode like never before. I love my husband and often times when we love someone we are so close to, we can take one another for granted. I often get sore in the heart and wonder if he ever notices all the things I have done for him that he takes for granted when *gasp* I am so deeply convicted today to change my heart and open my eyes. That was my prayer yesterday, to take this coat of hoityness away from me, so I can change and not always want others to change, especially my love. I was reading pretty faithfully "Facinating Womanhood" because well I am an old fashioned kind of girl. I want to please my man ~ that is my whole objective as a wife and a mother. I cant' explain it right now, as I am still soaking in what the Lord is speaking to me. It is funny, how a big huge part of me felt so alone ~ and it was the same part that kept pushing my Lord away over and over. He kept pulling closer and just like an agitated child I kept pulling away harder and harder. Finally throwing myself on the ground and throwing a tantrum, did I finally see what was happening.

See, I want to be this quiet and meek woman found in Proverbs 31, I really do. And I try. But each time before it hasnt' been to do anything but to benefit myself. Now... I want to be that proverbial woman to glorify God, to bring honor to my husband to love each of my children as they deserve. I am just amazed how many times God hasn't given up on me, but instead come back to me with a deeper more passionate look at my path ahead of me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would feel so passionate right now about life. Not running around smiling and enjoying doing things, but instead ~ LIVING for the God most high even in the midst of being a wife and a mother.

The children are now in a good resting mode, and I must tend to some things around the home. One of them being some prayer time for my husband, and family. May God move in such a powerful way this beautiful Monday in ways that will change your life forever.

Is the grass greener if you swap?

I am probably going to turn alot of you off by what I am about to admit to, but I love the abc show Wife Swap! IF you have never seen nor heard of this show (reside under a rock?) it takes the wives of two families and swaps homes and families with them. In every case, they basically pair up opposites and then ut them in the position of seeing if the "grass is truly greener on the other side" (or was that the motto from trading spouses?). Now, I could never participate in this kind of show because well ~ I dont' want to face the opposite of me. Make since?

So, if I would never participate why do I love it so much? I love seeing the diversity of the families. I love seeing what other famlies do ( kinda like why I love to read your thoughts on your blogs) and see if just maybe I can change smething to work better in our home/ relationships. Sometimes I have to pick my mouth up off the floor and shake it off, but wow. On Friday night, ABC runs a new episode ( or a repeat from the season), and then I will switch it to Lifetime for two more hours of old old old epsidoes. The older ones from the first and second season I have not seen all of those, so their fun to watch.

Anyway, if you have been reading any of my blogs for a while, you might remember me mentioning a book called "Facinating Womanhood". I have raved about what I have read, and to be honest I put the book down mid chapter, part of the way through the entire book and just haven't touched it since!! I have put it back in my book basket to finish this upcoming month. Anyway, the book was talked about on this show, and I am grateful. Otherwise I wouldn't have ever heard about it!

Have a blessed day, and never wonder if the grass is greener on the other side. Just do what you can to make your OWN lawn as green as it can be!