Snow Day, Snow Day!

 Teachers and students alike shout for joy when a snow day is called. Who doesn't love an unexpected day off? A completely unplanned day spread out before you. Typically at our house it means fresh bread and cinnamon rolls with some kind of soup for supper—YUM! However, two snow days this early in October is a first in my life. Feet of heavy, wet snow fell on trees that were not yet ready for winter. 

The weight was too much, and many came crashing down.

 We weren't long into Friday before the wind and snow brought power lines down too. Snow days aren't nearly as fun when you can't watch TV and keep up with friends on Facebook! Worst of all for the many ranchers, cattle were not ready. Calves were not weaned, winter coats were not grown, and many were still far away at summer pasture. The next few weeks will bring the extra work of finding, gathering, and sorting the cattle that weathered the storm. Death loss will be huge, but neighbors will come together to help each other. And years from now, we will still be talking about the October Blizzard of 2013.

9/11

Every generation has that one event that makes people stop and take note of their surroundings and etch them in memory forever. For my mom and her generation, it was November 22, 1963. For her parents it was December 7, 1941. For this generation, it is September 11, 2001. Like other tragic events, it seems so long and such a short time ago all at the same time. Today as we remembered the day at school, I realized that after several moves, I teach in the same classroom as twelve years ago. I remember answering the phone that morning to hear my friend and fellow teacher ask if I had heard the news. By the time my students arrived, all four planes had gone down and both towers had fallen. We spent some time watching the news in shock and knew that our lives would be forever changed. Now here I am twelve years later in the same classroom teaching students who were either very young or not even born at the time. Despite this, they know the story, thanks to parents and others who take time to share the tragedy and teach them how our country stood together in adversity. The days and weeks that followed brought us together with more patriotism and faith than I had ever witnessed before. It is sad that it takes an event such as this, but also wonderful to know that we are one nation, under God. In the words of Alan Jackson, "Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?"

Smile...It's Picture Day!

Once again, School Picture Day is upon us. Memories flood through my mind as I think of all the picture days I have experienced. There are always those accidents like chocolate pudding on a crisp white dress shirt or a fall at recess that causes a nice fat lip. One memory that will always make me cringe is the 5th grade girl with her hair stuck in a brush curling iron. What would be worse--a picture WITH the dangling curling iron, or a bald spot where we cut it out? Luckily, we finally got it untangled and didn't have to decide. When it comes to picture days, though, my most memorable is not as a teacher, but as a student. When I was in 5th grade, my mom lovingly sewed me a red plaid jumper to wear on picture day. The day came and she worked to fix my hair just so and made me wear the jumper and lacy white shirt. I'm sure it looked exactly like she pictured it. I, on the other hand, was far from thrilled to be wearing this outfit--and it showed when we got the pictures back a few weeks later. My "smile" (more of a smirk) was the reason Mom opted for retakes. Lucky for me, it was not nearly as publicized and somehow I forgot to mention it to Mom. The day arrived, and I happened to be wearing my favorite clothes-- a purple sweatshirt with bright green bell-bottoms (of course the pants would never show, but I remember them to this day!). My hair was definitely not curled--it may not have even been combed! This is one of those cases where I got my own way but have lived to regret it. Sorry, Mom!

A Picture Is Worth...

Last week I copied a sentence about a cat named Snowball on the board. It took me back to a college reading class where I worked with an elementary student on reading and writing. She chose to write a story about her cat named Snowball. The whole time she worked on her story, I was picturing a long-haired white cat. Imagine my surprise when she colored Snowball black. In what I hope was a good teacher tone, I questioned why she would name a black cat Snowball. She gave me a look that said, "Well, duh!", and calmly replied, "Because he's fluffy, just like a snowball." Until next time, class dismissed.

September 4, 1990

No, the date in the title is not a mistake. That day twenty-two years ago, the Tuesday after Labor Day just like today, did not start out as one I would want to remember. Originally scheduled to be our first day of school, it instead became the funeral of our beloved principal, Mr. Bill Burke. Two years earlier, Mr. Burke hired me for the only teaching job I have ever had. He poured his heart into his job and always lit up the room with his big smile and hearty laugh. His death on the final day of inservice left a void in our whole district but especially at the Whitewood and Rural Schools. It seemed like a day that I would rather forget until 9:03 that evening when our daughter Kristin was born. The day that had started on a sad note suddenly had a happy ending.  As I write this, that “happy ending” is celebrating her 22^nd birthday with a group of good friends. She is my best reason to remember that day.

The First Day(s) of School

                                                             Whether it's grade school,

                                                                        high school,

                                                          or your 26th year of teaching,
the first day of school brings a mixture of emotions. Apprehension is balanced with lots of excitement. Worries about different material and making friends are mixed with excitement over new school clothes, shiny lunchboxes, and sharp crayons. For students and teachers alike, it is a time to start fresh and set new goals--the chance to make this the best school year yet. My 1984 Care Bears calendar said it best: "It's a brand-new year, fill it with fun!" Of course, in my mind I always add "...and learning!"

                                                       Until next time, class dismissed.

 



Let the Fun Begin!

Today I embark on a new adventure I have mused about for years--writing about my classroom experiences...the good, the bad, the funny, the sad, and everything in between. My vision for this blog is  "out of the mouths of babes" meets "kids say the darndest things" combined with reflections spanning my 25 years in the classroom.  Please join me on this journey that is sure to bring a belly laugh or two along with a possiblilty of tears. As former and present teachers know, the classroom is an amazing place to be. Perspectives gained by working with students are immense--over the years they have taught me at least as much as I have them. I can't wait to dig into my memory and my notes to share the experience. I look forward to having you along and hearing what you think. Until next time, class dismissed!