Has it SERIOUSLY Been 2 Years??!!

What??!!!
How did this happen?  It is seriously been 2 years since I have written a blog post for this blog.  I want to apologize to any followers who may still be out there! 

No excuses, but WOW, the last 3 years have been filled with change for this teacher! 
After a family move...

2013-2014 school year
I taught self-contained 2nd grade in a rural school that was an hour commute each way daily.  After 5 years in my previous school, I cannot say I made this change with as much grace as I would have liked.  I was hired the day before Meet the Teacher night, and the entire year I felt disorganized and out of my element.

2014-2015 school year
I taught my beloved 4th grade at a charter school much closer to home (only 25 minutes away).  I began the year teaching Math and Reading to two classes and added Writing later in the year.  It was a challenging year, but a year of beautiful people and children I will likely never forget!  Teaching 4th grade again was a dream, except... the state standardized tests that tortured my students. I decided at the end of the year that I would leave teaching and asked listened for God's direction.  I was distraught to leave teaching, but knew it was the right thing at the time.

God has a plan, perfect timing, and a sense of humor!

2015-2016 school year
I got a call asking if I would be interested in teaching at the school in our community (12 minutes away).  Before I realized what was coming out of my mouth, I said, "YES!"  I was hired the week before school started, and again I didn't feel organized the entire year!  I taught 2nd grade Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies with a huge team of 10 to 2 adorable classes full of kiddos.  And...I'll be back doing the same next year minus Social Studies.

I'm glad to finally be working in our community where my husband and I can more easily meet people, as this has been difficult.  When you are "empty-nesters" you no longer have "instant friends" through your children. It's been quite an adjustment.

Our school is going to implement a balanced literacy program next year using Fountas & Pinnell.  I'm super excited about this, especially since we have a specific time set aside for writing!

I shall try to get back into the swing of things, as I have missed blogging.  I hope all of you are having a fun, relaxing, safe summer!  I hope you have turned your teacher brain to low power for at least some of it. :)