Saturday, December 31, 2016

Let Me Tell You A Secret...

"Out of 7 billion people and thousands of collected years of recorded human history, none of us are facing a particular adversity that’s completely unique. Keep perspective — other people have gone through what you’re going through and can help you. Also, remember that you’ve survived hardship before and you’ve come out okay."
 - Brendon Burchard
 Lately, I have been posting more about my struggles and to my surprise, I have found that I am not alone.  The more I share, the more I realize that what I am experiencing is completely normal.  Regardless of how I feel, I am not alone in my struggles.  Being a teacher is hard.  Being a wife is hard.  Being a mom is hard.  Being an adult is hard.

EVERYONE struggles and chances are they are or have or will struggle with the same issues.  Some people make life look easy and it seems like they have it all together, but I have learned that some people are just better at hiding it.  Don't let people fool you.  No one has it all figured out and no one is immune to challenges.  

The biggest secret of life is that everyone else is struggling too.

The Next 365

As the New Year approaches, I have been reflecting on the last 365 days.  Each year brings changes, great memories and sadness.  There are great accomplishments and tough challenges.  As I grow older, I am realizing the importance of learning and growing every year.  2016 gave me many opportunities to learn and grow.  My hope is that I am able to take advantage of each of these opportunities to learn and grow.

My Biggest Lessons from 2016

  • Relationships are #1!
  • Being an adult/teacher/wife/mom/person is hard sometimes.
  • Life gives me multitudes to be thankful for and I need to spend more energy thinking about the positives instead of the challenges.
  • Comparing my life to others steals joy from my life.
  • Reading is a great gift.
  • Children are hilarious.
  • Enjoy the moment.
I am thankful for the lessons I have learned during 2016 and I look forward to 2017.  Each day is a chance to enjoy the moment and to learn and grow.

Happy New Year!

4 Years of Blogging: Top Posts

The end of 2016 marks four years since I began my blogging journey.  In honor of the last four years, I have put together a list of the top four posts from 2016 and the Most Popular posts since I have been blogging.

Four Most Popular
Composer of the Month

Incredibox Lesson Plans

Recorder Karate 2013

Idea Bandit

Top Four from 2016
Kindergarten Concert 2016

Do We Realize

5:1

Emergency Sub Plans





Thursday, December 29, 2016

You Look Happy

Weeks ago, before church I had a few minutes before we had to leave so I picked up my phone to check Facebook. I had five alerts so I quickly skimmed through them and noticed someone had commented on a photo. Earlier in the morning I had changed my profile and cover photos. My marriage is the second most important relationship (behind God) and I decided my profile picture should show this relationship. My girls are also very important to me so I changed my cover photo to a picture of them and my profile picture is a picture of my husband and I.

Someone commented that we look so happy.  A completely innocent comment that made me upset.  How dare they tell me how to feel.  I realize now how silly my reaction was, but in the moment it really bothered me.  I did not feel happy and I did not appreciate someone telling me that I should be happy.  This comment made me realize how much we hide from others.  We give the illusion that we are happy.  On the outside everything looks great, but on the inside we are far from great.

In someways this is good.  Being able to "hide" some of your emotions can be very helpful. In other ways it can be a detriment.  Regardless of what "everyone" sees, it is vital that I have people close to me that I can share how I really feel.  People I can turn to for help when the trenches get a little too deep.  We all need these people.

What we see on the outside does not always match what is happening on the inside. Just another reminder that relationships matter.  Don't judge a book by it's cover.

One Word: 2017

'One Word' seems to be the new way of doing New Year's Resolutions.  The past two years, I have tried to pick a 'One Word' with the hope sit would help me focus my life and energy to make the most out of the next year.  After a few weeks, I tend to get overwhelmed with life and forget about my 'One Word' altogether.  This year I am going to take the opportunity that a new year brings to refocus my life and energy in a positive direction.

2016 has been a challenge at times.  Life is challenging at times.  Being an adult is challenging at times.  Two young kids, a husband, a job, a house and all of the responsibilities that come with each of these can feel overwhelming at times.  As I look back over this year I realize that many of my feelings of anger and frustration are caused by the same issues and most of these issues boil down to me not having enough time for me.  I know this is a common struggle for many moms and it is completely normal, but I still want to try to make things better and easier.

It may sound selfish and I don't mean to take it to an extreme, but my 'One Word' for 2017 is Me.  I have a wonderful family, but at the end of the day I am responsible for taking care of myself.  When I am tired and cranky, I am not the best mom, wife, friend or person I can be.  Now, this does not mean that I am going to forget about those around me and only think about myself. It means that I am going to think about filling my cup.  Often I become too worried about my family that I don't take care of myself as much as I should.

I vow to take care of myself in 2017.  I want to be the best mom/wife/teacher/person that I can be.  I need to make myself a priority (I think this is a struggle for many moms and women in general).  I have created a plan to help take care of all aspects of myself: spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally.  I know my plan will need to be adjusted at times, but I am hoping it is a realistic plan that meets my needs and goals.

Spiritually:  Start the day with a Bible Study (YouVersion Bible App).  End the day with the daily readings from THE BIBLE in a year (YouVersion Bible App).

Mentally:  Take time each week to do something for me.  Listen to audio books during my commute, listen to podcasts/music while I workout, read a book for fun, take a nap, soak my feet or take a bath.  Play music and learn at least one new song a month.

Physically:  Run or walk 2017 miles in 2017.  I thought about doing this challenge in years past, but it always seemed overwhelming.  I am going to walk and run and hope to have my husband join in on the challenge.  5.5 miles a day will be a challenge, but I believe many positives will come from my time working out. We have a treadmill that I want to use more and I want to make walking a priority.  Fresh air is good for me and it is good for my kids.  I am not signing up for the challenge, but I am going to keep track of my miles on my own.

Emotionally:  I am going to be intentional about feeding the positive dog (Positive Dog by Jon Gordan).  I am going to journal daily and keep a gratitude list.  I will continue to work on my Mental Toughness.  I will treat people well, be thankful and have a positive attitude regardless of my situation (Train 2B Clutch).

One of the biggest lessons I learned during 2016 is that being positive and energetic is not always easy or automatic.  It takes effort to look past the negatives and to focus on the positives in life.  It takes effort to have energy everyday and to stay focused on treating people well, being thankful and having a positive attitude.  Even people who look like they have it all figured out have to work at it everyday.  Being positive is a constant choice.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Look in the Mirror!

It's everywhere! It's nearly impossible to miss.
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Articles/Blogs
Pinterest
Teachers Pay Teachers
Pictures of the perfect birthday party.
Pictures of the perfect classroom.
Pictures of the perfect decorations for your house.
Videos of amazing general music performances.
Plans and materials for the perfect lessons.
Articles and Blogs on how to be a good teacher/parent/spouse/friend/person.
Articles/Blogs about how you are ruining your students, kids, friends or marriage.
Articles/Blogs that tell you everything you are doing is wrong.

Social Media brings many benefits but it also inundates us with information and not all of this information is positive. I strongly believe that most people are doing the best they can with what they know and with their abilities. For every study that says X is the best thing to do there is another study that says it is the worst.

Look in the Mirror. Seriously, find a mirror. Ask yourself...

Are you happy? Is your family happy? Are you taking care of yourself? Is your family taken care of?

Stop worrying about what others think or see. What really matters is what you think and in yourself.

Look in a mirror...

You can put expensive windows and beautiful brick and make the outside of a house look amazing while the inside is nothing but studs and plywood. We make our appearance look good and we wear a smile. We post happy pictures on Facebook and we act organized and put together, but on the inside we feel lost or sad or incompetent or angry.  People say we look great or we are doing a great job so we feel like we should feel good.

Look in a mirror...

What do you see? How do you feel?

It is ok to not feel happy all the time. It is ok that your classroom is not Pinterest worthy. It is ok if your choir does not sound like The Vienna Boys Choir. It is ok if your kids birthday party is not worthy of a front page spread in a magazine. It is ok if the dishes don't get done tonight. It's ok if there are crumbs on the floor and something on the walls.

It is ok.

Be you. Work everyday to be the happiest and best version of you. Do things that fill your day with joy. Tell those you care about that you love them. Read a book. Take a nap. Go for a run or walk. Meditate. Do yoga. Go to church. Pray. Forget about the To Do List. Spend time with friends. Spend time with your family/spouse. Spend time with your God.  Give yourself grace.
Be happy with yourself and your situation for you are the one who has to get up everyday and see yourself in the mirror.  Stop comparing.

Look in a mirror.

Are you happy? Is your family happy? Are you taking care of yourself? Is your family taken care of?

If the answer is yes, don't worry about what social media and "the experts" say.

If the answer is no, talk to someone you trust and get help. You have to live your life, you need to be happy with it.

Friday, October 7, 2016

Why Do You Teach?

Last weekend as I was visiting my parents, I had the opportunity to have a short conversation with one of my high school band directors. He lives two houses down from my parents and whenever I am in town I try to visit with him and his wife. They go on mission trips 1-2 times a year and it is always fascinating to hear about their adventures.

He is currently filling in at a local high school for a band director who is on maternity leave. He was sharing some of his frustrations and also the joys of watching students learn and grow. After sharing a story about helping a clarinet player improve her technique he said "this is why we teach."

His comment stood out to me. This is why we teach... I'm sure most jobs are frustrating and stressful at times, but they all have moments of joy which entice people to keep working there.

What are your moments of joy as a teacher?

It is so easy to get caught up in the negatives, but there have to be positives or we would not keep showing up to our classrooms. I occasionally wonder what I would do if I was not teaching and I have never been able to come up with a good answer. I love music and I like seeing kids learn and grow. There is no feeling like listening to kids groove and perform a piece beautifully. I have learned many skills and lessons through percussion. Music is a tool and it is the tool I choose to use in order to help my students.

Why do you teach? What keeps you coming back to the classroom?

I enjoy helping people. I have a passion for music and I choose to use this as my tool to help my students learn and grow. 

Bible App by YouVersion

One of the first Apps I downloaded when I got my phone was a Bible. I downloaded the YouVersion one because it was listed at the top of my search. It took me a while to really understand all that this app has to offer and it is now one of my favorites.

My favorite thing about this App is the ability to download Bible Studies. There are tons! There are read the whole Bile programs, there are Bible Studies based on specific books in the Bible and there are studies that are based on a specific topic: marriage, family, teen, kids, career and leadership to name a few.

Some of the Bile Studies contain a devotional along with scriptures, while others are scriptures that relate to the topic. Either way, there are Devotionals and Studies about every topic pertaining to life. I have found all of the Bible Studies to be extremely helpful. Right now I have been working through a lot of motherhood and marriage ones. Many of the ones I have worked through are short and I know I can set aside five minutes a day to read through one, so there is no reason to miss a day.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

How Are You?

How are you?

How often are you asked this a day?  How many times do you ask someone else?  How do you answer?

I'm ok.
I'm fine.
I'm tired.

Those seem to be my standard responses.  What does fine mean? What does ok mean?  Do we really mean what we say?

Over the course of my marriage I have had to learn that when my husband says fine, it is not how I would use the word.  I used to get upset because I would ask him how dinner was and he would say fine.  To him, that means good.  To me, it means it was nothing special.  It was tolerable, not terrible, but not great. To him, fine and good all mean the same thing.  

We often say we are ok when we are not.  Why can't we be honest?  Why don't we take time to express how we are feeling? I know we don't have time for counseling sessions every time someone asks us how we are, but I wish we could be honest with ourselves and those around us when things are challenging.  This also means we can be more jubilant when things are going well.  

This goes against what seems to be social norms, but I see it as a challenge.  Be more open when things are both challenging and joyous.  There are benefits to not letting the roller coaster of life get to me, but I don't think saying life is OK everyday time when it is not is healthy.  We need to build relationships and look out for those around us.  We all face challenges and saying we are fine when we are not hides challenges which can make people feel alone.  We are all in this together and we all face challenges.

How are you today?  Is how you answered the truth?

Goodbye Facebook

This morning I deleted Facebook from my phone. I can still access it using a web browser, but it is one more step and I am hoping this will deter me from checking it all the time.  I like that Facebook allows me to stay in touch with my friends and family.  Especially those who I rarely get to see.  Lately though, it feels like I am sharing without really connecting with my family and friends. Facebook makes it easy to share pictures and information, but it does not guarantee that people actually read or notice what is shared.  

Summer and maternity leave have left me with extra time and I have found myself checking Facebook more often and comparing my life to what I see online.  Which usually leaves me feeling like I do not stack up.  Some days, I feel a great sense of accomplishment if my family is fed and my house is still standing at the end of the day.  My life is rarely (if ever) the glamour I see online.  I noticed at times that 'likes' made me feel happy and no reaction made me feel a little sad.  The comparisons were making me feel bad about myself at times. The impact Facebook was having on my psyche seemed to be bordering on unhealthy and was definitely not helpful.

It is a habit for me to check Facebook and like all habits, it is hard to break. I still check a few times a day, but it is dramatically less than I would if I had the app on my phone.  I am trying to focus on truly connecting with my friends and family through e-mail, phone calls and text messages.  I can still share pictures, but I share 1:1 instead of through social media.  It is going to be a process, but I believe there will be many positives from removing/limiting my time on Facebook.

Have you taken a break from Social Media?  How did it go?  How do you balance Social Media and the real world?

Lessons Learned from David Ross

David Ross is a catcher for the Chicago Cubs.  This is his second season with the team and it is amazing how quickly he has become a fan favorite.  Last season many were saying he was only here because he is Jon Lester's personal catcher, but this year he has cemented his place as a vital member of the team.  At the beginning of the season he announced that this season will be his last.  As the season winds down, his teammates are taking time to honor his career and his contributions to their team.  It really is remarkable that a player who is a backup and only plays every few days is getting this kind of attention.  Plus, he has only been in Chicago for two years.  To me, this proves that he is a respected member of the team and is highly thought of by his teammates and organization.

During his last regular season game at Wrigley the fans gave him a standing ovation every time he came up to bat.  In on the most touching moments I have seen, the Cubs Manager Joe Madden took him out of the game in the 7th Inning in order for the fans to recognize him once again.  It was a move that caught everyone off guard.

There are many lessons that can be learned from listening to interviews, watching him play and seeing how his organization respects him.  It may be baseball, but sports can teach and prepare us for life if we are willing to learn.  These are my reflections from watching him play this year.

  • Focus on family. 
  • Cherish the opportunities that come your way and be prepared to make the most of each one.
  • Do things the right way.
  • Relationships matter.  
  • Be a great teammate, there is no excuse.
  • Attitude is a choice.  It does not have to be influenced by circumstance. 
  • One day the game, the job will be gone.  How do you want to be remembered?

Friday, September 23, 2016

A Time for Every Season

Years ago, at my grandfather's funeral, the pastor talked about how there is a time for every season. It is a theme found throughout the Bible. Living in the Midwest there are 4 seasons: Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring. When I lived in Alaska, I felt there were only three seasons: Summer, Cold and Really Cold.

In many ways, the idea that there is a time for every season is comforting. At the same time, I find it brings a bit of anxiety. There are many different seasons and our lives change constantly, but does this mean one season is more important than another? Does this mean I should look forward to other seasons?
In high school, seasons were separate. I played three sports and each had their season. As a musician, there was solo/ensemble season, musical season, marching season and large group contest season.  Seasons in my life also overlap and sometimes things need to be put on the back burning for a while. 

As a mom of a toddler, coaching for me has taken a back seat for the moment. As a mom of a 5 week old, this season is focused on staying home with her. Soon I will go back to teaching and my season will be as a mom and a educator.  The struggle for me is that some seasons feel like a let down.  I am 'only' a mom or 'only' a teacher.  That is where this idea of seasons really starts to bother me.  I know that my life will not always be like it is right now.  Eventually, I will be able to sleep through the night again and eventually my kids will grow up be more self sufficient. It is easy to feel like my season is not as important as what others are working on at the moment and I think this will be a constant struggle for me.

I am slowly working on accepting this new stage of life.  There is a season for everything and this season will not last forever, although sometimes it feels like it will never end.  There will come a day when I will miss the baby snuggles and miss the hilarious (albeit sometimes frustrating things) that my kiddos do.  I am trying to learn to enjoy this new phase of life and not compare my life to what I see around me.

What season are you in?  Are you enjoying it?  How do you accept this season and enjoy it to it's fullest?

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Passion

What are you passionate about?

This has been a challenging question for me.  I always saw myself as a teacher and a coach who was willing do fill any positions that my school needed me to, but now I am starting to wonder.  What am I passionate about?  What activities fill my energy?  What activities sap my energy? This is not an easy question for me to answer and it is one that will require more time and reflection.

Morning Yoga

One of my fitness goals is to work on my flexibility.  I decided to start each morning with a quick Yoga routine.  YouTube makes accessing workouts and videos very easy.  Right now, my playlist includes only Tara Stiles workouts.  I find her to be laid back and her workouts are effective, but easy to follow.  Plus, I appreciate the variety of workouts and the fact that many of them are short. 5-15 minutes is the perfect length for me in the morning.



Sharing vs Connecting

One of my struggles lately is the idea of sharing on social media verse the idea of forming connections using social media.  Being home on maternity leave is wonderful, but I struggle with the lack of social interaction and I have found myself posting more often on Facebook.  It may be a random comment or a picture.  My life at the moment is consumed by Kiddo 1 and Kiddo 2, so many posts include them and their randomness.  

I find many benefits to being on Twitter, but I am beginning to question the role of Facebook.  At times, I find myself feeling like a slacker because I don't feel I  "measure up" compared to what I see online.  On Twitter it is easy to compare myself to what others have done and what I have not: I have not created a Twitter chat, I have not written a book, I have not created an organization and I am not an administrator. On Facebook, it is easy to compare myself to "perfect" lives others show in their pictures.

There is a place for social media, but I am concerned that we (maybe it is just me) are sharing post and pictures without really connecting with people.  We click the like button on Facebook, but do we communicate with others and make sure they are doing alright? Do we connect with them and enjoy their successes? Do we support them during times of struggle?

I know there is research about the dopamine that is released when a post receives likes and although I have not done a lot of reading on the topic, it is an area that interests me.  Life is wonderful and joyous, but it is also hard.  My life is filed with hilarious moments.  Toddlers have a way of adding joy, but they also bring moments of frustration.  This is real life, not the candy coated version we often see on social media.

It might be time for me to take a break from Facebook.  I know my family and friends appreciate seeing pictures of my family, but at times the level of frustration out weights the positives. It is time to text, e-mail or maybe even call people and connect with them instead of relying on Facebook and likes.

How do you balance connecting and sharing on social media?

Monday, September 19, 2016

Reflections While On Maternity Leave

I feel like my life is either busy or boring.  I am either running around trying to take care of many responsibilities or I am "relaxing."  I don't get a lot of time to relax and maternity leave is supposed to be time for me to relax, recover and adjust to a new baby.  Although it is nice to spend time catching up on TV shows and having time to work, I am finding the calm pace to be challenging at times.  Over the course of the past four weeks I have had time to reflect and think about teaching and life in general and I know I will learn even more in the next three week.  This is what I have learned/thought about so far...


  • I should enjoy each day and moment and not live for vacations, weekends or time off of work.
  • I need to learn to take care of myself during moments of calm and busyness. 
  • I need to find time for myself: learn something new and take care of my health.
  • I need to be intentional about the time I have with family.
  • It does not need to be fancy, but each day should include some family activity (a walk, the park...)
  • Each day needs to include reading and writing. 
  • Time spent doing Bible Study needs to be a cornerstone of each day.
  • I need to remember to focus on what is really important (that is not how many things are left on my To Do List.)
  • I need to remember to enjoy the little things ever when life is crazy.
  • I need to live life based on principles not feelings.
  • Life is constantly changing. 
  • Enjoy the Journey.

I'm Just Me...

Most people compare themselves to those around them. I know I do.  Social Media, specifically Facebook, makes these comparisons even more difficult for me.  Everyone posts their happy pictures, bright moments of their lives and all the great things that are happening.  Rarely do we get a true glimpse of the struggle and challenges.  All of these happy moments make it easy for me to feel like my life does not measure up to what I see on Twitter and Facebook.  I have not created a chat, written a book or started a business.

These are some of the comparisons that I am struggling with right now.
  • Husband gets to sleep. I'm up with the baby.
  • Classroom teacher has prep, but I have to drive to another school.
  • S/He has a better job than I do. (I am "just) a teacher.)
  • They are more successful/more important.
  • They have better friends than I do, they are always going to games/concerts...
Comparisons steal joy from life and make it impossible to enjoy life.  I am trying to make a conscious effort to not spend as much time on Facebook.  At times I find Twitter to be overwhelming, but most of the time I find it very helpful. Facebook is where I struggle the most with comparisons.  

How do you deal with the comparing yourself to others?  How do you limit your Social Media access?

What is the Goal

In education it seems we are always looking for the best curriculum, technology or teaching strategies to use in our classrooms and schools.  There are many different options and each of them comes with their own set of success stories.  The same is true for other areas of my life.  I am excited to work out again after many months off and I was creating my plan I realized that there are so many choices. 

How can I possibly know which is it the best?  This reflection reminded me of all the technology tools that are available.  There are so many choices and the most important thing is that the technology we use aligns with our goals and what we want to accomplish in our classrooms.

There is no one correct answer. There is no magic tool that will fix all of my problems.  The main question should be, what do I want to accomplish?

Fitness encompasses many aspects. When thinking about a fitness plan it is vital to think about what you want to accomplish. This was an "ah ha" moment for me recently. As an athlete, it was always simple. I wanted my workouts to make me better for my sport. Now as an adult, things are a bit more complicated. I don't have a sport dictating what I need to do.

My fitness goals include increasing my flexibility and becoming stronger.  I enjoy running so that will also be  a main part of workouts.  My main goal is to be in shape so I can play with my kids.

Fitness Goals
Overall Strength
Flexibility

Chosen Activities
Body Weight Exercises (ex. XBOX workouts)
Yoga
Running

What are your goals?  What tools are available to help you reach your goals?

Daily Journal

I have been keeping a journal off and on for over six years.  I started being more diligent when I lived in Alaska.  It was a way for me to reflect on everything was going and for me to work through challenges.  After two years in Alaska it became part of my daily routine and I would either write in the morning or before bed.  At times I would type my thoughts in a Google Document and others I would use a basic notebook.  


This past Christmas a good friend of mine gave me a Journal with Daily Prompts.  I have never used a journal like this before but I really enjoy being given a topic to write about.  This forces me to think and write about different topics each day and does not allow me to dwell on one challenge. The space to write is only one page which I find helps keep me motivated to keep my routine.  I know that it will only take a few minutes, so even on busy days it is something I can make time to complete.


Do you journal?  How do you keep track of your thoughts and reflections?

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Reflections on Mental Health

Mental Health is an important topic and one that is becoming more talked about, which will hopefully help take the stigma away.   Urban Meyer opened up about his struggles and made me realize that mental health is not black and white.  It is a great article and brings information about struggles many people face out of hiding.

I am not a Division 1 football coach and I do not pretend that my life is as stressful as his, but I found myself relating to many things that he talked about.  Often when I think about depression or anxiety, I think about a person not being able to get out of bed or overwhelming sadness.  I don't think about the high level of expectation I place on myself or the negative self talk that fills my head at times.

Many people, myself included, live under the illusion that people who have it all together never struggle.  Not all depression or anxiety leads to medication.  I have never experienced severe depression, but at the same time life is not always roses and sunshine.  Severe depression and anxiety need professional help, but I also believe it is vital that we all realize that we have moments of struggle.  Although these moments are "normal," it is important that we also notice these symptoms and learn to handle them better.  

At the end of the day it does not matter how many items I check off my To Do list or other non-important stats that we tie our happiness to.


Symbaloo Lesson Plans

Towards the end of last year I discovered Symbaloo Lesson Plans.  I find this website to be perfect when I have multiple videos or pieces of information I want to share.  In a 1:1 setting, this program allows students to work at their own pace on lessons created by their teacher.  I do not work in a 1:1 district, but I still find this program to be very useful and it presents everything with a fun game board.

Symbaloo Lesson Plans

Common Curriculum

I have been teaching for eight years and it seems like every year I spend time reinventing the wheel.  Last year I discovered the website Common Curriculum.  It takes a little more time than my normal planning (I used to write my lesson plans in a notebook), but I can transfer the lessons over from one year to another.  I don't want my lessons to become boring, but having the standards and lesson information already done makes planning a lot easier.  It allows me to change and update lessons as needed without having to rewrite everything each year.

My current district uses the Quaver Curriculum and are lessons align with those standards and resources. 

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Time to be Selfish

I don't know if it is a women thing or if it is just part of my personality, but I have learned (the hard way) that I have a hard time asking for help.  After the birth of my first child, I was more uncomfortable than necessary because I refused to ask the nurses for help.  I did not want to bother them, so I did not ask for things as often as I should have.  I learned my lesson and recovery after my second child went a lot better. Even though I asked for help more often, the nurses never once seemed bothered.  There are people in this world who genuinely want to help those around them.

My husband tells me I am an independent, self sufficient women.  I have learned that this is also code for being stubborn.  I expect to be able to take care of everything and do everything myself.  As I have added a husband, a commute, a job and two kids to the equation, at times it becomes too much to handle all on my own.  Unfortunately, I am still working on learning to recognize the signs of feeling overwhelmed so I can take steps to avoid a frustration/stress induced meltdown.  Thankfully I have a husband who is supportive and is learning to recognize the signs so that he can help me.

It sounds selfish, but we need to take care of ourselves.  As moms and wives, I know this can be hard.  For me, it is extremely hard! We need to put our own well being as priority one.  During an airplane crises, they tell you to put your air mask on first because if you are not taken care of, you cannot take care of your family.  Now, I realize there is a fine line.  I cannot become extravagant in my mission to "take care of myself." It is not in the best interest of my family or myself for me to sleep 12 hours a day, miss work or other responsibilities and call it "taking care of myself."  However, I do believe it is important and vital to make time for myself during the day.  Even if that is an hour broken up throughout the day.  Finding balance does not mean equal.  Finding time to pray, Bible Study, journal, sleep and exercise are important for my mental, physical and emotional well being.  When I take care of myself, I am better able to take care of those around me. 

How do you make taking care of yourself a priority?  What activities help you be at your best?

Reading

How do you keep track of your reading?

One of my monthly focuses for April is to use GoodReads more consistently. After a month of using it regularly, I have increased the amount of time I read and it has allowed me to keep track of books I want to read and ones that I have read. I read a lot of short eBooks and I find I forget to write these down.  I also go through periods where I read many books in a short amount of time.  Taking the time to enter these into GoodReads (or any other program) is something I often forget, but it is important.  I also would like to spend more time reflecting and writing about what I am reading, so that I can make sure I gain the most I can from each book.

I also appreciate the social aspect of GoodReads. I signed up for a reading challenge and it motivates me to make reading a priority.

Tough Choices

We stopped at Walgreens over Thanksgiving Break and as we were shopping another car backed into our vehicle and left the parking lot.  Luckily, two employees saw the car and were able to get a description of the other car.  Unfortunately they were unable to see the licence plate and at this time we have not heard anything more about who hit our car.


Life is full of choices and we make hundreds of choices a day: what to wear, what to eat, what to cook, what to buy, what to do, what to say and the choices go on and on. Some of these choices are easy, some are of little consequence and others are very important. Sometimes I don't feel like doing the right thing or saying the right thing and sometimes doing the right thing is hard, but the consequences can be severe. 

Being a mom is teaching me a whole new level of patience. I know how I want to treat my child and I know she deserves to be treated kindly and respectfully. It does not make me proud to admit I have raised my voice at her when I am tired or don't feel like dealing with something she is doing. How am I going to respond to her when she is cute and loveable? How am I going to respond when she is screaming, I am tired and it's the middle of the night? It's hard to be kind. It's hard to be respectful, all the time. The consequence of being rude or mean to my child ruins far more than one positive action gains and at the end of the day it is worth it to be kind. I would much rather continue to build on our positive relationship than spend even more energy trying to fix what I broke in a moment of frustration. The same philosophy works in terms of all relationships. 

The person who hit my car would have had a consequence had they taken responsibility for their actions. If they are caught now, their consequences will be more severe. 

We have choices everyday. Are you going to admit you hit the car or drive away? Are you going to treat those around you respectfully even if they don't deserve it or you don't feel like it?

We make hundreds of choices a day. Choose wisely. 

Audio Books

I am thankful for a random conversation with a coworker that reminded me about audio books. I spent most of this school listening to podcasts and I enjoy them but sometimes I like something more in depth. Also, sometimes I have to wait for new episodes and I am stuck with nothing to listen to.  I find that I feel more overwhelmed when I don't get a chance to read. Reading is time for myself and a chance to learn and grow.

My library uses the program Axis360 which allows access to eBooks and audio books. The best part is it is free. Most audio books I have found are around ten hours which means I can finish about a book a week if I listen during my commute. I feel like I am now using this time to the best of my ability and taking advantage of this time to learn and grow.

If you enjoy reading but are short on time, I strongly suggest audio books. Plus, there are so many great programs that allow access to audio books.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

June Update: Toddler To Do List

Summer seems to move very quickly and I have found over the years that having a plan helps me stay on track and ensures that I accomplish most of what I set out to in May.  July was supposed to be full of traveling and family time, but due to a few unexpected events, our traveling has been limited.  I am still trying to make sure kiddo and I spend time together and that she is exposed to experiences that help her learn and grown.

1. Visit different Zoos
2. Read A LOT of Books (85 as of this morning)
3. Visit different Parks
4. Splash Pad
5. Go Swimming

6. VBS
7. Summer Reading Program
8. Picnic Outside
9. Build a Fort
10. Play with Bubbles

11. Draw with Chalk
12. Go on Walks

13. Watch Fireworks
14. Watch a Parade
15. Go Hiking
16. Play with Cousins
17. Play with Friends
18. Visit Family

19. Finger Paint
20. Eat an Ice Cream Cone
21. Go on a Bike Ride
22. Spend Time with Mommy and Daddy

23. Go on a Road Trip
24. Play in a Sprinkler
25. Visit State Parks (1)
26. Paint with Water
27. Play Catch
28. Go Camping (even if it's in the back yard)


Monday, May 2, 2016

Emergency Sub Plans

I thought I was organized with my sub plans but this year has proven I was wrong. At the beginning of the year, I was excited about the ability to create personalized Quaver Lessons for sub plans. It seemed perfect! I could create the lessons at home if needed and the sub could lead the students through the activities. This seemed like a great, simple way to do sub plans. Unfortunately, I quickly learned that many of our subs are not comfortable with technology and will not use it, so my great plan was out the window.

At my old schools, I would go in the night before or morning of to get sub plans organized and this seemed to work. I also rarely had to take sick days. That is, until I added a forty minute commute and a child to the mix. Once I realized that my online plan would not work, I ended up  relying on a coworker to print stuff off or make copies when I had to take an unplanned day. Worst case, I would end up dragging my daughter to school with me so I could get things setup. That is exactly what I did this morning and during those eighty minutes of driving, I realized there has to be a better way and I set out to come up with a plan. Being sick or waking up in the middle of the night with a sick child is stressful enough, having to deal with sub plans just makes everything worse.

When I know ahead of time that I am going to be gone, I try to plan activities that do not break the flow from what we are working on. I may have the sub give a test or have the students continue to work on our current project.

These sub lesson plans are for last minute days when I have to be out. Having five lessons for each grade level organized and ready to go, which allows me to pick and choose what activities the sub does based on the time of year and where we are in our lessons.
I see my students for thirty minutes, every other day (which allows me to use each lesson twice.) Some of these sub activities will take the whole period, while others I'll not. On those days I include multiple options for extra activities: read a book while students clap the rhythm to certain words, students read a book, drum freeze, music freeze or play Apple Tree or another one of their favorite singing games.

*Disclaimer - I did not develope these resources. They were either bought from a music store or found online (Pinterest or Teachers Pay Teachers.  I have included links to their websites and I take no ownership for their development.)*

My Plan
I have used these resources for sub plans this year, but my plan is to be fully prepared. This means having all materials printed, copied and ready to go. I used to keep my sub materials in a file cabinet drawer, but I have decided to use a file crate. This will allow me more space to keep everything organized. This way, I will only have call the sub caller.

Option A
Kindergarten - Instrument BINGO
First Grade - Rhythm BINGO
Second Grade - Rhythm BINGO
Third Grade - Rhythm BINGO
*Instrument BINGO
*Rhythm BINGO: the teacher before me wrote out all of the rhythms as Ta and Ti-ti so a non musical person can just say the rhythm and does not have to know what each symbol means.

Option B
Kindergarten - Video: Elmo's Peter and the Wolf
First Grade - Video: Carnival of the Animals
Second Grade - Video: Animusic, Rhythm Coloring Sheet
Third Grade - Video: Animusic, Rhythm Coloring Sheet

Option C
Kindergarten - Ta and Rest Turtle Coloring Sheet (also include a Kidsongs Sing Along DVD)
First Grade - Rhythm Coloring Sheet
Second Grade - Rhythm Coloring Sheet
Third Grade - Treble Clef Coloring Sheet

Option D
Kindergarten - Instrument Packet
First Grade - Rhythm Packet
Second Grade - Rhythm Packet
Third Grade - Recorder Packet

Option E
Kindergarten - Ta and Ti-Ti Coloring Sheet
First Grade - Dynamics Coloring Sheet
Second Grade - Music Symbol Coloring Sheet
Third Grade - Treble Clef BINGO

Option F - Quaver Lesson
I still plan to have Quaver Lessons organized just in case I have a sub who is willing to use technology. These custom lessons include Smart Board games we have played,  music history videos, lesson introduction videos and some of our favorite songs.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Toddler Bucket List

Life changes in so many ways when children are involved. This is my first summer with a toddler and I know I must keep her busy in order keep my sanity. I have made a list of experiences I want her to experience. Summer is a hard time for me because I don't always do well without a schedule. This list also serves as a schedule of sorts to help me stay on track.

What is on your bucket list? What are your favorite memories with your family?

1. Visit different Zoos
2. Read A LOT of Books
3. Visit different Parks
4. Splash Pad
5. Go Swimming
6. VBS
7. Summer Reading Program
8. Picnic Outside
9. Build a Fort
10. Play with Bubbles
11. Draw with Chalk
12. Go on Walks
13. Watch Fireworks
14. Watch a Parade
15. Go Hiking
16. Play with Cousins
17. Play with Friends
18. Visit Family
19. Finger Paint
20. Eat an Ice Cream Cone
21. Go on a Bike Ride
22. Spend Time with Mommy and Daddy
23. Go on a Road Trip
24. Play in a Sprinkler
25. Visit State Parks
26. Paint with Water
27. Play Catch
28. Go Camping (even if it's in the back yard)

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Kindergarten Concert 2016

My original plan was to include songs from books.  I soon realized I did not have enough material so I decided to go with more of an informance model.  Students chose three of their favorites from our Song of the Month songs and we ended up having ten songs total to perform.  I have never done a single grade level performance before, but I like the flexibility.

Next year I would like to have the students pick more of our songs from our Monthly Songs and to include more of our classroom singing games.  I would also like to break down each set of songs by concept and explain more to parents what concepts we worked on through learning each song.

2016 Concert (Many of these songs are from Quaver)
BINGO
5 Green and Speckled Frogs
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
If You're Happy and You Know It
Lunch Box
Superhero
Grizzly Bear
Ickle Ockle
Apple Tree
Stinky Pirates


Monday, February 22, 2016

Do We Realize...

This year has been a challenge.  I am excited about the opportunity to learn and grow each day, but it is sometimes a painful and slow process.  I know I will exit this school year as a stronger person and a better teacher.  Some days are just hard. These questions have been on my mind a lot this year.


  • Do we realize when a teacher in our building is struggling?
    • What do we do to help them?
  • Do we realize when teachers/staff are close to burnout?
  • Do we take the time to truly listen?
  • Are we too wrapped up in our own lives and problems?
  • Do we take the time to connect as human beings?
  • Do we show that we care (if we in fact actually care)?
  • Do we realize that a teacher in our building is thinking about quitting?
  • Do we understand that good teachers struggle?
  • Do we say enough positive things?
  • Do we truly pay attention?
  • Do we think about our interactions with those around us?
  • Are we too busy?
  • Do we realize that a teacher leaves right away because they don't want to cry in their classroom?
  • Do we know who needs help?

Book Reflection

I go through periods of time where I read a lot and other times when it takes me months to finish a book.  One of my goals this year is to focus on quality instead of quantity and to ensure that I am learning the most from my time reading.  I created this short form to help me journal and keep track of books I have read.  I always plan on writing blog posts about the books I finish, but that never seems to happen.  I am hoping this simple form will help me stay on track.  How do you keep track of the books your read and information you have learned?

Book:

Author:

Finished:

Main Message:


Key Points I Want to Remember:


Actions Steps:

The Best Observation!

Two weeks ago I had one of the best observations ever!  Now, you may be thinking that is was great because I was rated highly and everything went smoothly.  Both of those are completely wrong.  The two classes were a challenge and I felt like a terrible teacher for most of it.  How could this possibly be my best observation?  I call it my best observation because I actually learned from the experience and the person who observed me helped me make a plan to improve.

This year has been a struggle. I don't remember a year where I have doubted myself as much as I have this year.  I am adjusting to a new school, a new district, a new job, a new commute, a new curriculum, new students, new administrators and trying to balance my professional responsibilities along with being a mom, wife and friend.  It's been hard.  Some days I feel great and others I am just hoping I can make it through (preferably without crying in front of anyone.)

I mentioned to the other music teacher in my district that I am struggling with two classes at my one building and he offered to come observe me.  It was embarrassing (feeling incompetent is not fun), it was hard, but I learned so much and I feel blessed that he took the time to come help.  It was not about a grade on an evaluation.  It was not about writing down everything I was doing wrong.  It was not about catching my mistakes.  It was not about justifying why I did what I did.  It was about learning, sharing ideas, sharing experiences and making a plan to grow and get better.  How often do your evaluations end like this?  

Having someone help me create a plan was vital.  When I am struggling I get into a negative mental loop and soon it seems everything is hopeless and impossible.  Having another person see the problems and brainstorm solutions allowed me to see the possible solutions and believe that things were truly fixable. 

I understand we need evaluations and we need a way to weed out 'bad' teachers, but where is the learning when you fill in boxes saying you did this, this and this?  I would love to see evaluations that are meant to help teachers grown and not just tell them everything they did not score well on.  Yes, there are some bad teachers out there, but I also believe there are many who simply need guidance and help in order to become great.

Thank you Mr. O'Donnell for taking the time to observe me.  It was a painful experience, but one I am growing from.  I am thankful for your time!

Thursday, January 7, 2016

5:1

Have you ever felt annoyed with someone due to something they said or did only to realize the same comment/action probably would not have bothered you had it been said or done by someone else? I have realized throughout my life that 'friends' are able to say and do things that I would find upsetting if they were done by 'non-friends.'Now, in many ways this makes perfect sense and it is logical to think that 'friends' have different boundaries due to our friendship than 'non-friends.'

Psychologist Dr. John Gottman has found that a ratio of 5:1 for positive to negative interactions can predict whether or not a marriage will survive. His research looks specifically at marriage but researcher Dr. Barbara Fredrickson has similar data that takes the 5:1 ratio even farther.  According to her research 3:1 is the ratio needed for flourishing.  This, she says, is true in all situations: relationships, business, at home and at work.  3:1, 5:1.  Think about all of the interactions you have throughout a day.  How many would you classify as positive?  How many are negative?  When I think back to "bad" days, it almost always comes down to these ratios.  Days that are filled with positive interactions are fun and enjoyable.  Days that are filled with negative interactions are stressful, frustrating and exhausting.

Go back to that time a person annoyed you because they said or did. Think back to all of your interactions with that person.  How many were positive?  How many were negative?  When I think about the situation the other day when I became frustrated because of something someone said, I realize that I have not had many positive interactions with this person.  I would not qualify our interactions as negative necessarily, but they are not overly positive.  I would qualify them as 1 negative and many neutral interactions.  For me, I think this is exactly why I became frustrated.  It was a negative interaction without positive ones to counteract it.

Joshua Medcalf (Train to Be Clutch) introduced me to this concept of positive interaction ratios through two of his books ('Burn Your Goals' and 'Chop Wood, Carry Water.')  This information was eye opening to me and made me better understand moments when I was feeling frustrated or stressed.

As teachers it is easy to focus on what our students are not doing and sometimes it feels impossible to create a positive interaction, but this research proves how important it truly is for ourselves and our students.  I know how I feel when the majority of my interactions with my husband are negative.  Now, imagine how a student feels has they go through a day at school and they receive only a few positive comments but are constantly corrected.

I have found that class goes smoother and I feel better when I am focusing on giving my students positive feedback.  It is not always easy, but I have found hammering students on all the things they are doing wrong is also not beneficial.  As I finish my first week back since Winter Break, I am going to continue to focus on being more intentional on giving positive feedback.  Humans in general are not told often enough about all the great things we are doing.  Yes, we can all get better and we all have room to grow, but we are also already doing great things.  We need to take small moments to enjoy and acknowledge these acts of greatness.