Keep Your Heads Up

Besides having a doc's appointment this morning, I decided that it was plenty necessary to take off the rest of the day. Today was known as my very first "Mental Health Day" of the school year. I figure that if I take one every nine weeks, I could very easily survive this hectic schedule I've got.

I made it through my first two program rehearsals this week as well. (Survived would be a better choice word actually.) I chose 3rd graders to kick off the programs this year, but let's be honest, a first rehearsal for any grade level is always rough. However, starting off the first rehearsal with 3 notes from parents about kids "having too much stress in their life" to have a speaking part (yes, I'm quoting it straight from the note) or won't be there, 4 kids crying after being on the stage for seriously no more than 5 minutes, and a fellow teacher who literally SCREAMS at kids. Interrupting teachers, interrupting students who are speaking, my lord it never ended! (I later found out that one reason a student was crying is because she is terrified of this teacher I speak of. Terr.I.Fied. How sad is that??)

Onto a better note, the second rehearsal went a million times smoother. Kids knew where to stand to say their part, they were ready, and our final dress rehearsal will be Monday, with the program for the school on Tuesday morning and the parents Tuesday evening. I'm not one to complain about not getting paid for this extra time directing (because I truly don't care about that part, but that seems to be the only language that the powers-that-be can understand). I, selfishly, tend to stress about the fact that between an eleven-hour period of the day, I'll have taught 10 classes on top of directing two program performances, while squeezing in a meal and a bathroom break or two. I'm a little anxious. Just a little. (And have to keep hearing other teachers complain about taking their kids on a local field trip, only to change their trip time in order to be back for specials. A few hours off of teaching and a break? May want to stay out of my line of sight for that day... hah) Luckily, our Fall Break is coming up at the end of the week, ergo, giving me a few relaxing hours to collapse into a deep sleeping coma.

Living with a coach of all sports, I learned at a young age that his go-to-phrase was all about "keepin' your head up." He tells each and every player to keep their heads up. (With part of his reasoning being, that if you have your head down on the field, you could get hit.) So seriously, if we don't keep our heads up and watch where we're going, we, too, may not see what's coming from the dark side. Respect the players and they'll respect you. Bringing me to yesterday...

Yesterday, a few of my fabulous co-teachers and I got together to have a nice, relaxing time time over a few cocktails. Well deserved and needed. :) My week has wrapped up very nicely if I do say so. Sometimes you just gotta go "Woohoo!!"

This next post will be chalked full of exceptional ideas, because I have some wonderful people in my life that inspire me to be a spectacular teacher. Stay tuned!

Lucky #57

OK folks, this has already officially been the longest week! But actually, I can't complain because I spent the majority of the weekend at workshops for school, at school, or thinking about new things to do at school. Seriously. I do love my job, but it didn't give me much of a break.

However, last night was also Parent-Teacher Conferences, which kept us all at school until 7:30. (These 12-hour days really wear me out!) On the bright side, being the music teacher, I don't tend to get too many visitors, and I was able to get plenty of things finished! ...Only to realize how much more I still needed to get done again. This job is seriously exhausting, but I wouldn't have fun any other way. Keeps me energized and excited to learn new things!

Today I spent my entire day teaching as a fellow colleague observed. I very much love talking about teacher things and stealing new ideas from people! She is a first-year teacher, and I completely remember how I was my first year. I wanted to take in everything I possibly could because I felt like I knew nothing! All I had to go from was my student-teaching experience (which was more than amazing, but still not my own classroom). Everything around me was brand new (not to mention new to the kids as well, being that they hadn't had an actual music teacher in over 5 years). It was interesting to say the least. :) We stuck with it together though, and I've very grateful for the experience. I can absolutely say that I learned a lot!

But she has some great ideas (and great frustrations) like the rest of us. Luckily, we have an awesome elementary music support system around here. Makes me realize why the music teachers stay in our district so long! :)

Hope everyone else is having a great start to their week! Program rehearsals begin tomorrow on the stage! (Wish me luck!)

October Goals

So I've taken the idea from Leah over at Happily Hitched, and I've decided that she's going to inspire me to start making goals for each month. New Month = New Goals. Personal Goals. Work Goals. Family Goals. Financial Goals. Health Goals. I'm choosing five goals for the month. Five things I hope to accomplish. Five things that cannot be added to a list and checked off in one day (which could be difficult for me).

These are my goals for the month (which I have taken most of Leah's since it's a great place to start). This is what I hope to accomplish. Here we go!

1. Run a full mile by the end of the month. Without stopping. Without walking. I have a best friend's destination wedding in March, so this goal will have to continue up each month!

2. Spend no more than $200. Clothes, classroom materials, Dr. Pepper, anything that is NOT a necessity. I'm sure this one will take practice, but I have to start somewhere.

3. Cook dinner 4 nights a week. Well, maybe this one should be PLAN dinner 4 nights a week. I started to get pretty good at this one last spring, but I took a little break during the summer months. No time like the present!

4. Send 5 cards to special people in my life just for fun. I used to do this one all the time for my grandma. (I guess I stopped when I felt like my sister "stole" the idea and started doing it herself. Who cares!? Gotta get over that, because who doesn't have room for more cards??)

5. Blog consistently twice a week WITH PICTURES! Sorry to everyone that has been waiting for classroom updates!

I'll check back at the end of the month to see what progress I've made! Hopefully, I can have all five accomplished! Wish me luck!