Scared that my students will suffer. Scared that I won’t succeed or pass these courses. Scared that I am wasting time and/or money. 

But most of all, I’m excited because I am following a dream and I am hoping to realize or prove that I can be more than just a teacher. That if, lord forbid, I ever lose my position that I won’t be stuck in one career choice. 

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”

Four is my number, it’s just apart of who I am. 4-28-88. All multiples of four, I’m just that awesome. Which makes this year another one of those awesome years. 4-28-12 = fate. Not to mention I’ll be 24 this year.

Now that we’ve got that settled, some things to look forward to in 2012 besides my birthday:

1. Starting my second BS Degree in Biology- It will be hard. I may cry, but I will complete it.

2. Finishing out my second year of kindergarten.

3. Spending more time traveling. Last year was awesome – Colorado, Alaska, North Carolina! This year will be more local and low-key, however I want to complete at least one leg of the Florida Saltwater Circumnavigational Paddling Trail before 2013. Check out my other blog for trip information! : http://bearsadventure.wordpress.com/

What I’ve done on winter break: Learning about and catching up on all things Kardashian (or not, you know), cooking/shopping for Christmas, and spending my time sitting outside with the dogs.

Filed under: Day to Day ]]> http://jnwells.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/winter-break/feed/ 0 jodie DSC_0272 http://jnwells.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/happy-holidays/ http://jnwells.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/happy-holidays/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:22:08 +0000 jodienicole http://jnwells.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/happy-holidays/ ]]> For those traditionalists, it hardly feels like Christmas at 72 degrees in Tallahassee and only 6 days left till Christmas. Luckily, I’m not a traditionalist. I love Florida and the fact that I can wear tank tops in December.

Kids deserve the magic though, so even if it doesn’t feel like Christmas my class spent the last two weeks researching winter holidays and decorating our classroom. I also found a project that works out so much better than those silly gingerbread houses…. snow globes!

We made ornaments for our parents. Here they are, halfway done.

And last stop, our christmas lights are up I wasn’t there to see how my students feel about them now that they are up, but I hope that they loved it!

I have also been reading these super cute teaching blogs that have different activity ideas. I don’t know how these teachers do it. I feel like I stretch myself thin just dealing with the school aspect. Seriously though, If I have to spend everyday in the classroom during winter break, I will have my lesson plans and smart board lessons finished for the 3rd nine weeks. Taking a college class next semester will be hard enough as it is without my procrastination to add to it.

However, I loved my trip and it only reinforced my need to continue traveling and doing what it takes to get it done.

I will miss my friends dearly, but I’m glad they’re happy in their new home.

I am thankful for having a job in the career field I chose.

I am thankful for my family, who loves me unconditionally.

I am thankful for the puppy that saved me in a sad time, and grew into a goofy dog with a mind of his own.

I am thankful for the opportunities life has provided for me to follow my dreams.

I am thankful. Give thanks, receive thanks.

Now don’t get me wrong. In the last two years, I have grown exponentially as a teacher (I’ve sat on that exponential growth comment for a while). My classroom environment has gone from fluctuating with my moods as an intern to a fairly stable calm. I’ve been able to get a handle on routines and rituals that help the students and my sanity instead of my old go-to method of ‘go with the flow’. Also, my understanding of kindergarten has grown the more I go through the motions.

Yes, sometimes I drop the ball. I don’t always post the calendars, newsletters, or homework online the first day of the new month, it may take me a couple of days. Something (usually untied shoe laces) always pops up that will distract me from what I was originally doing which also causes me to loose papers/markers/controllers/buzz bucks/timers/etc. And I always plan my lessons at the end of the week. I wish I could plan earlier, but it’s hard for me to think ahead of what needs to happen for that day or even that hour.

Bottom line: This year, I am working on creating a better system for my classroom communications, organization and lesson planning.

Side note: I am so proud of my kids! Another teacher observed how calming I was with my students in the hallways and how well my kids responded to it. Today, Coach (Who is a local celebrity in his own right) walked by my class and each one of my kids did their JOB. Kept their bubble instead of talking , stayed in line, and kept their hands to themselves. First time ever that any group of kids kept quiet when Coach walked by. Though I bet it is nice to have your own cheering section sometimes!

Kindergarten is a challenge, everyday. There is this saying, “Everything I ever needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten.”  I’m not entirely convinced that this wasn’t meant for the teachers instead of the students. I’ve learned that it isn’t the challenges that hold us back or make our day challenging. It’s how we handle those situations. Kindergarten is all about how we handle our conflicts, how we interact with the people, problems, and the environment around us. I really thought my classroom management and my real strength as a teacher was all something I had gained genetically as well as in Tampa. However, kindergarten has only made it stronger.

Off and on, I have felt that kindergarten isn’t really where I belong.But, more and more, I am beginning to realize that it is where I need to be.