12 kinds of busy!

Ok, so I failed big time at posting regularly for a bit there. Sorry if I kept you on the edge. I got a job offer and ended up taking it. Needless to say I've been cah-razy busy since then! I packed up my classroom and then Monday afternoon got the call offering me a position teaching 1st grade at a different school.  I had to think about it since there were lots of things to consider.

Pro's-

-It was a 1st grade position - I really like the primary grades!

-It was a newer school right by the ocean!

-It would be a great experience to teach a new grade, get to know a whole new staff, and see what it had to offer.

-I'd still have a teaching job.

Con's-

-The school is on the other side of town.

-Potentially less time with Ty.

-Unfamiliar territory teaching a new grade with only a week to prepare.

-I could potentially not like the school, staff, or 1st grade - big gamble!

Joe, Ty and I did a test drive that evening during rush-hour traffic. I figure I'd time the commute during the worst time of the day and it took about 40 minutes. The school is big and newer than my old school, and it's literally right next to the ocean. Unfortunately, my classroom does not have an ocean view.

I decided to accept the position and the next day was introduced to the staff and I went and moved all my stuff to my new room. It was CRUNCH time. It was now Tuesday afternoon and I finally had my things moved to my new room.  The Meet & Greet (where I meet my kiddos and their parents - and they get to scope out their new classroom) was on Friday. 3 days to prep! I was 12 kinds of frazzled and worked my booty off to get things somewhat presentable. Thankfully, I was able to recruit a few good friends to help me out. I couldn't have done it without them!

The first week of school was a whirlwind.  I survived.  I'm still not fully set-up. As in, I don't have a functioning classroom printer (my co-workers so generously share theirs with me), no type of projector set-up, no student computers, no full set of textbooks for the kids in any subject (a few borrowed teacher manuals from other teachers), and boxes shoved in closets and corners that I wasn't able to get to. One day I'll get organized and not feel like I'm drowning in chaos!

So far, I'm really enjoying things. My co-workers are super sweet, the drive isn't too terrible, and my kiddos are pretty darn cute. There is a BIG difference between 1st and 2nd graders, but I'm thinking it's going to be a really fun year!

Loving all the bright colors I added this year!

We will be bucket fillers this year and doing lots of reading!

Tables instead of desks this year!

Classroom library area.

Amazing bulletin board my two girlfriends put together for me while I frantically ran around trying to make my room presentable for the Meet & Greet! It looks a-amazing! I have the best friends a girl could ask for!