Another One Bites the Dust

Oh, 2011- 2012 school year, where have you gone?

It seems like Christmas just happened.

I can't believe I only have 12 more days of school left!

Actually, the gray hairs on my head beg to differ.

Now, I won't say that this years' class has been the "best ever" and I'm crying as I type this just thinking about them graduating on to second grade because then I'd be a darn liar.

To be honest, {some of} them have been a challenge - a real challenge - and still are.

But, they all have good hearts, despite their challenges, and I will miss them.

ESPECIALLY MY GIRLS - LOVE my girls.

Anywho, I am linking up with Amber at Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher for her Another One Bites the Dust Linky Party.

3 GREATS:

1. Getting a SMART Board

I wasn't even going to apply for the grant. 

Our district had 10 oldish SMART Boards that they were going to award to teachers who best completed the grant application. Since I had just won the grant last year for the class set of iPod Touches, I felt awkward applying for this grant. However, the day before the grant was due, my mom talked me into applying.

I waited about two months before I heard the news that I had been chosen for the board.

I LOVE it! I am soooooo glad that I listened to my mama!

2. Busch Gardens Teacher Night

Another event I won.

Our state's DOE was awarding 200 teachers a chance to spend 24 hours in the park.

Actually, I didn't win at first. Someone rejected their spot, and I was on the wait list.

It was an incredible experience. The animals, the rides, the teachers - so cool.

I met some teachers from districts in my state that I hadn't even heard of!

Good times, for sure.

3. My Team

Just think of the A-Team as my grade level team!

I wish I had a picture of the ladies on my grade level.

My team has been really awesome this year.

No drama! 

It was so nice to have a team that just got along with each other, helped out when we needed it, and worked together when the time called for it.

Since I've been grade level chair for a while now, I've seen a lot over the years. Every year my team has changed and grown. We have seven teachers on our team! It just isn't easy to manage a group so big. We have one of our members retiring this year and I am going to miss her a TON.

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3 NOT-SO-GREATS:

1. The Lost Weekends

Every year, I talk about spending less time in my classroom.

Every year, I add a little more time spent in the classroom {typically on Sundays.}

What the heck?!?!?

I wish I could get all of my school work completed in a timely manner.

I'd like to have more of a life during the school year.

Will it ever happen?

2. Anger Management

Like I had mentioned before, I have some very challenging students in my classroom this year. For the most part, I have dealt with it well, but there have been some days where I wasn't as nice as I should have been. And there have been a lot of days, where my little guy was sent out of my room. I feel bad about that, but he just couldn't control himself and I needed to teach my other 17 students without the constant disruptions.

I am hoping for some relief next year - PLEASE!

A person can only take so much before breaking.

3. Losing My Freedom

Slowly, our district has been moving to more and more scripted programs. It is really difficult to find the extra time to teach anything outside of the pacing guides. As much as I have learned a lot from these new programs, I still feel like my kids are losing out on the important social/developmental/fine motor activities that I used to have time for.

I have two days a week, where I am not allowed to go to recess, so I try to do the fun lessons then. It hasn't been easy. I feel for these kids. 

School isn't the same as it used to be...

There's my list for better or worse.

Link up with Amber and join the party!

Now, I need to start thinking about what to do during the summer....