A Teacher's Purpose

Many teachers across the nation are preparing to head back to school in the upcoming weeks, while some have already began their year.  

Once the school year begins, teachers quickly get bogged down with never ending to-do lists, supplies to buy, curriculum to learn, and professional development to attend to.  The list keeps going......  

This overflowing educational plate is all the more reason teachers should spend time reflecting on "why" they chose this profession.  

Each year I elect to read (and keep posted in my classroom) a poem adapted from Loren Eiseley's work titled "The Starfish Story."  It is a perfect message for teachers to recall why they do what we do.  

We are here to invest in youth. 

Invest in our future. 

Often I present professional development to first and second year teachers, and I like to give them this poem as they leave training.  Attached to the poem, I glue a small plastic starfish to serve as a reminder  of our true purpose in education.  

I know all teachers reach point in the school year when teaching seems too hard and they feel as if they are barely keeping their head above water.  My hope is that they will look at that little starfish, and take a moment to refocus and realize the impact they are making. 

If you would like to share "The Starfish Story" with your colleagues, click the first image above or click here to download the poem for free.  

A Teacher's Summer Bucket List

My previous blog post was devoted to kids and what they want to do over the summer months.  

BUT.........

What about us?  What about teachers?  What about adults?  We DESERVE to make fun plans for ourselves too!!

Can I get an Amen?!?!

Every school year is taxing for educators, administration and support staff.....

Your summer break should be spent doing things that make you feel rested and recharged! 

All too often summer break seems to quickly slip through our fingers, and we arrive at the beginning of August and wonder how the new school year arrived so quickly?!?  

Summer is an elusive little season, isn't it? 

In order to take full advantage of your time off, I urge you to make a Summer Bucket list for yourself! 

Bucket lists are a great ways to ensure that relaxation, fun and meaningful moments happen. By the end of the summer I want to look back on the the two months and have something to show for it---and I want that for you too!  

Click here, or the image below to download this free resource!  Included in the download are multiple bucket list bingo boards.  There are two pre-filled bucket boards with lots of fun options!  You don't even have to think of your own fun--just print and start enjoying life.  Ha!  

There are also two boards that are mostly filled, but with a few blank spaces.  The mostly filled option is great if you have a few of your own ideas you want to insert! Last, there is  a completely blank board for those of you who have a brain swimming with fun ideas!

I truly hope you find this Summer Bucket List for Teachers helpful and that you have an opportunity to take these next few months to take time for yourself.

Summer is the perfect season to slow down, take a deep breath and breath fresh perspective into your life.  Remember that self care doesn't mean me first, it just means me too!  If you are looking or more ways to relax and take care of yourself click here or the image below!

 

Summer Bucket List for Teachers

My previous blog post was devoted to kids and what they want to do over the summer months.  

BUT.........

What about us?  What about teachers?  What about adults?  We DESERVE to make fun plans for ourselves too!!

Can I get an Amen?!?!

Every school year is taxing for educators, administration and support staff..... but the 2021-2022 school year had an exhaustion level like none before.  

Your summer break should be spent doing things that make you feel rested and recharged! 

All too often summer break seems to quickly slip through our fingers, and we arrive at the beginning of August and wonder how the new school year arrived so quickly?!?  

Summer is an elusive little season, isn't it? 

In order to take full advantage of your time off, I urge you to make a Summer Bucket list for yourself! 

Bucket lists are a great ways to ensure that relaxation, fun and meaningful moments happen. By the end of the summer I want to look back on the the two months and have something to show for it---and I want that for you too!  

Click here, or the image below to download this free resource!  Included in the download are multiple bucket list bingo boards.  There are two pre-filled bucket boards with lots of fun options!  You don't even have to think of your own fun--just print and start enjoying life.  Ha!  

There are also two boards that are mostly filled, but with a few blank spaces.  The mostly filled option is great if you have a few of your own ideas you want to insert! Last, there is  a completely blank board for those of you who have a brain swimming with fun ideas!

I truly hope you find this Summer Bucket List for Teachers helpful and that you have an opportunity to take these next few months to take time for yourself.

Summer is the perfect season to slow down, take a deep breath and breath fresh perspective into your life.  Remember that self care doesn't mean me first, it just means me too!  If you are looking or more ways to relax and take care of yourself click here or the image below!

 

Teacher Appreciation Sale

Today (and tomorrow) is THE DAY!!

It is officially TPT's Teacher Appreciation Sale!  Whoop Whoop!

My ENTIRE store is set to 20% off, but you can receive an additional 5% off when you enter code: THANKYOU22 at checkout.  

This is a great time to purchase all of those items you have been eyeing for a fraction of the original price.  I know I have my cart loaded and ready to go!

Happy Shopping!  I hope you all snag some great deals....you deserve it! 

Self Care

When the back to school season hits, many teachers quickly forget about the importance of taking care of themselves.  Educators are SO BUSY getting their classroom ready, creating routines, thinking about schedules, new curriculum, old curriculum, standards, data..... All of that back to school brain busyness results in personal care getting put on the back burner.

So, this is just a friendly reminder that it is okay to make yourself a priority. It isn't selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself and make yourself happy.  It is necessary.  If you are constantly giving your all to everyone and everything, you will eventually burn out.  Your cup will be empty and you will have nothing left to give.

Take a moment and read through the 50 self care actions you can take to nurture yourself.  Pick your favorites, or try all of them! If it takes you scheduling personal care time on your calendar--then DO IT!  

If you are interested in tips on how to create a plan to keep you mentally healthy this school year, check out the Teacher Self Care.  This post gives four great tips on how to create a self-care plan. Another way to stay emotionally aware is by doing to a self-check using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid.  Check out this post which give great reflective questions for each level of Maslow's pyramid.   

Click the image below, where you can download the self care printable.  If you know of someone (spouse, friend, colleague, student) that needs self care--SHARE IT! 

Teacher Appreciation Sale!

Dear Teachers,

Thank you for all that you do in our classrooms.  Thank you for continually putting your own needs on hold and keeping the focus on the little minds of our future. We appreciate the planning you do even before the day begins, and well after the day is over.  We are so grateful for the hand you put on a shoulder, the hugs you give in the hallways and the smiles you share throughout the day. You are constantly thinking of new ways to reach students--, socially, emotionally and instructionally. You are SO LOVED!!  Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Teachers Pay Teachers is having a site-wide sale where you can save up to 25%.  The sale runs May 5th through 6th.  Make sure you enter "thankyou" at checkout.

 
Happy shopping, and thank you for all you do!

The Starfish Story

Tomorrow is the first day back for many teachers, and it is easy to approach the first day like this.....

BUT.....how about challenging yourself to begin the year like this....

I know it is hard.

I know it is tough to set the alarm and actually remember what day it is.

I get that it is painful to put on real pants (pants that actually button, zip and aren't made of stretch fabric).

I get that the thought of styling your hair and putting on makeup makes you want to curl into a ball and cry.....but you can do it folks!

In fact, here is a bit of inspiration that was shared with me, this week, from my district's Director of Learning. It is called The Starfish Story, and you may have heard it.  If you have--that's okay--it is a good reminder of how we can make a difference.  If you haven't--then you are in for a treat!

So, as you are beginning your year remember you have the power to make a difference.....one starfish at a time!

If you would like to share The Starfish Story with colleagues, you can download this freebie by clicking below!

Free Food....and a TPT Sale!!

Just here to spread some good news....

First..... tomorrow teachers, paras, support staff (basically anyone who works in a school)  ALL across America can snag some free food from Chipotle!  Simply bring your school ID into ANY Chipotle and receive BOGO (buy one get one free) burritos, burrito bowls, salads or order of tacos.  If you want more details, click here to read about it!

Second....If you are a teacher in Kansas you can receive a free McDonald's breakfast extra value meal! Just like with Chipotle....all you have to do is bring in your school ID to receive your free meal.  Please check the flyer....as not all McDonald's are participating!

Basically I am going to be STUFFED on Tuesday....but my belly (and my wallet) will be happy!

Now for my third bit of good news.....TPT is having a Teacher Appreciation Sale!!

Most sellers (including me) will be offering 20% off of their products, and then TPT throws in an additional 8% when you use code CELEBRATE at check out!

All of my products will be on sale...but you will really want to check out the latest product I just uploaded: End of the Year Student Awards Soda Style!  I mean...it is getting close to the end of the year and teachers need to start thinking about last day festivities!

On the last day of the year, I always give each student an award.  For the past few years I have given out candy awards, which you can see by clicking here, but this year I wanted to do something different.  So, I made the following awards which are all drink themed! Fun, right?

These soda pop awards come include two options--large certificates (full page) and smaller tags that you could hole punch and attach to the drinks (quarter page). Check them out by clicking here!

The awards included are:

Crush

• 3 crushed it awards (academics, sports and fine arts)

7Up

• Looking up to you award
• Looking up award
• Uplifting award

Fanta

• Fantastic award
• Biggest fan award

Root Beer

• Rooting award
• Rootin-Tootin good year award
• AWesome year award

Mountain Dew

• Dewing it all award
• Reached the mountain award

Kool-Aid

• Kool cat award

Soda (any type)

• Soda bomb award

Sunkist

• Sunshine award
• Sunny award

Dr. Pepper or Pepsi

• Pep in your step award
• Pep up the class award

Dr. Pepper

• Doctor award

Tea

• Tea-rific award

Cream Soda

• Cream of the crop award

Powerade

• Powered up award
• Power up to change award

Propel

• Propel it forward award

Happy eating and shopping!