You Just Give Off a Teacher Vibe

After the final 2 hour day of school my teacher friends and I went out to lunch (and then to kick butt at an escape game!). When I was being rung up the cashier asked me, "Are you a teacher?" And I replied, "Yes!" thinking she went to my school. But then she explained, "You just give off a teacher vibe!" AND THAT MADE ME SO HAPPY!!!! #Goals. Haha. Turns out she did not go to my school, nor did she know any of my teacher friends. 

But also that comment was heartrendingly bittersweet. Because you see, I am technically not going to be a teacher anymore; I have accepted a Curriculum Coach position at my same school for next year. I will be in charge of mentoring new teachers and attending each department's PLC meetings. I am super excited to nourish professional growth at my amazing school. I HAVE ALL THE IDEAS! LHS is going to be the most supportive place for teachers, and especially new teachers, ever! 

But you guys... my precious almost-adult babies. My dearest darlingest physicists, I called them as I greeted them every day. I will hold the last 7 years so tenderly in my heart forever. Nothing is as rewarding as teaching. Getting to know 150+ unique, talented, and hilarious students every year, making a difference in a young person's life... these things are priceless.

Seven is a lucky number. And boy was I lucky to have been a physics teacher at LHS for 7 years. I also like how after this past year, I hit over 1000 physicists that I've churned out into the world. I am ready to close this chapter, but I will cherish my memories of teaching for the rest of my life. 

I am ecstatic to serve my school in a greater capacity. I am closer to my goal of being an assistant principal. I can't wait to spend my energy nourishing teachers like I nourished my students. So much learning takes place within the walls of a school, and I look forward to learning a lot next year myself. That being said, I hope I always give off a teacher vibe to teenage girls working cash registers at taco shops.

My "Happy Wall" collection from 7 years.
Layers upon layers of notes from students.
I carefully took down and kept every tiny paper.

My empty "Happy Wall" after I had taken everything down. *Tears!*

I wouldn't want to be a student anywhere else

I was walking down the hallway during my planning period today and two students were walking toward me. Me being me, I couldn't just say hello like a normal person. I greeted them by exclaiming, "Hello, students of the most wonderful high school in the universe!!!" The students laughed at me and smiled good-naturedly. I went on, "I wouldn't want to teach anywhere else!" And one of the students responded, "I wouldn't want to be a student anywhere else!" Ahhhh I was so excited!!! I told all my class periods after that. 7th period told me the student lied to me and were just trying to be nice. Hah hah. They funny.

In other news there may be a video of my 5th period class floating around the internet... we're in the Waves Unit talking about harmonics, and someone brought up singing, and before you knew it the entire class was singing Row Row Row Your Boat as a 3-part round. Be jealous. #PhysicsLife

I WON A MASSAGE WITH THIS PICTURE!!! We were supposed to wear red for heart disease awareness, and email a picture of ourselves to our insurance guy to be put in a drawing for a free massage. I feel like everyone says this, but I never win anything like this!!! So WOOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

A prize-worthy piece of artwork from one of my talented students for my Happy Wall. He remembered from months ago that I had mentioned Jiggly Puff is my favorite Pokemon character! (She's pink. She sings. She's fiesty. And she's one of two Pokemon I know. Ha!) This guy is way talented!

My OCD students and I have decided that my new gem colored rulers are not to be used as rulers. They are tangibles for us OCD-inclined people to arrange in beautiful, symmetric patterns to soothe our disorder-induced stress when it arises.

Gems of Wisdom and Jewel-Toned Rulers

During an in-service today our Assistant Principals had to share "what good teaching looks like" by using an example of one of their own teachers growing up. It made me reflect upon my own teachers and what I learned from them. I love school!!!!! And was blessed with so many amazing teachers. Here are a few gems of wisdom I was able to glean from some masters of this craft:

Mrs. Waters (transitional)--I got held back in kindergarten y'all. But I wouldn't trade it for anything! My transitional class with Mrs. Waters was small, and we definitely all shared a special bond. I am certain Mrs. Waters is responsible for facilitating that special bond. I'm sure I learned academic things in her class, but all I remember are the fun things! Space Day: my favorite day in school ever. We were locked out of our room before school. When we were finally allowed in, Mrs. Waters had transformed her classroom into a space station. I remember drinking Tang like astronauts in space.  I tell my high schoolers about Space Day and we do our own Space Day in honor of it even though it is not in my curriculum! Another special bonding experience we had in Mrs. Waters' class is when one of my classmates was diagnosed with leukemia, and we held a lemonade sale at our school's Field Day to raise money for him. Mrs. Waters taught me that sometimes there are more important things than academics, and that people are going to remember the fun experiences they've had for the rest of their lives. So make some fun experiences for your students people!! To this day I am still in touch with Mrs. Waters and she continues to encourage me and be one of my life role models.

Mrs. Brinker (1st and 2nd grade)--Let your students latch on to something you like, and use it as a theme for your classroom. Mrs. Brinker loved Bugs Bunny. Her room had a Bugs Bunny rug, decorations, and candy dish, and we loved buying her more Bugs Bunny things as gifts. It made class more fun! I am a high school teacher, and my students have latched on to the fact that I love turtles! So much so that my first year a student gave me Pyro haha! My students draw pictures of turtles for me, and give me turtle things, and I use turtles in my example problems. It makes class more fun!

Ms. Ringel (3rd grade)--Have extra special weekly/monthly activities! Ms. Ringel had special things she did once a week. There was also a Question of the Month, and if you got it right you got a cookie! I remember how I looked forward to those activities and how happy I was that I was in Ms. Ringel's class because we got to do all these extra fun things that no other 3rd grade class did. Now as a high school teacher I have "Minion Mondays" where I do a dance with two Minion stuffed animals and sing a popular song with only the word "Banana." (Yes, I am that crazy.)

Ms. Sanger (5th grade English)--The first time I was truly praised for my creative writing was when I wrote my first short story for her Creative Writing class and Ms. Sanger believed in it so much she wanted to get it published! (We never got around to it though haha.) She told me I was talented at creative writing, and without a doubt she is the reason I have written so many short stories and why I believe in my passion for creative writing to this day. Sometimes students just need to be told they are good at something!

Mrs. Callahan (7th and 8th grade Science)--She was funny and crazy! Every other Friday we had Activity Day where we could explore whatever we wanted! I grew crystals, mixed chemicals, and made a few minor things go boom! From Mrs. Callahan I learned the importance of allocating time for students to be creative. That part of their brain is so important! Mrs. Callahan also went above and beyond to create experiences for us. She knew people at NASA, so for two days we polished mirrors for a satellite and when we were finished we got to engrave our name on the back of our mirror. Not many people can say their name is in space!! Mrs. Callahan also put together our summer class trip to Key Largo, an amazing week of snorkeling with sharks and jellyfish in coral reefs and mangroves that I will never forget!

Mrs. Wilson (12th grade AP English)--Mrs. Wilson was known for being very strict! Her class was indeed difficult and demanded a lot from her students. I think I spent more time doing AP English homework than any other class in high school. I learned SO much from Mrs. Wilson, and even though I never felt like I especially stood out in her class, I received the English Award for my senior class, a medal I got to wear at graduation. From Mrs. Wilson I learned to hold students to a high standard, and they will rise to it, and learn a ton!!! Win, win, win!

Thank you to every teacher I've ever had for providing me such great examples that I try to emulate every day!

Unrelated, I bought these gorgeous "jewel-toned" rulers for my class. Except they are so pretty I just want to keep them and look at them!!!