1st Week of School

Although it is only the 2nd day of school, our students have been wonderful!!! I have also had two hour volleyball practices both days and a two hour parent meeting this evening. I don't think I could be anymore tired than I am right now. I cannot believe that in a few more days I will be done with my master's program. People have asked what I am going to do with all of my free time, ha! I plan on using it to research, plan, and implement new technology-driven lesson into my classes. I can see the light at  the end of the tunnel!!

Will I be ready for Monday????

This has been an absolutely crazy week!!! I started back to work Monday and things were running smoothly the first two days. I am the math department chair and have 5 new team memebers. Two are returning, one from a college fellowship masters program and one from a district position as a math coach, another completed his student teaching with me this past spring, and two others Needless to say, helping them has been my priority the first couple of days. Wednesday we had a district math inservice all day and Thursday was another district full day meeting. In addition to two full days out of my classroom, the technology department decided to perform a data back-up so we could not get into our "h drives" on the network...oooohhh!! Today I was ready for our 8:00 meeting and my 10:00 coaches meeting and hoping to be in my classroom by 10:30, but sadly we were not finished until noon, uggg. So I have decided not too stress that my walls have no posters on them, oh yes they painted our entire school this summer, so nothing could be left on the walls, and I will be ready for my students on Monday, I will wait to worry about the students I need to prepare for Tuesday on Monday. I am just venting to get it out, it will all be good come Monday when I meet half of my new students and then on Tuesday when I meet the other half.

Siblings

Ok let's deviate from school preparation for a moment. I am the mother of a 15 year old daughter who over the last six months has been begun arguing with me and her father. She has been extremely low maintenance up to this point and with her sister of 12 years and brother of 7 years, I am beyond exhausted parenting the three of them during their current stages. Any words of wisdom or encouragemnt? I am so looking forward to everyone going back to school to get on a schedule, hoping this will assist our attitudes!

One week to go!

This is the last week of summer break before I go back to school. It seems as though I am trying to complete all of the projects I planned for the summer that I did not complete, as well as uniform shopping for three kids. Mix in volleyball tryouts everyday all week, and I am back to the grind already:) I am exited for the year and incorporating more technology into my lessons. I just want to saver a bit more of my state of relaxation!

First Day of School Lessons????

I am starting to think of the new school year and wanting to do something different with my classes the first day of school. I have made a survey on survey monkey to get to know my new students but they will have to complete it from home as they will not have logins to the network on the first day. Any ideas or suggestions for high school students?

Weekend Away...

Well I just got back from a weekend in Atlanta with my family. My son competed in a Taekwando tournament Saturday and place 2nd in weapons and 3rd in sparring. It was exciting for him!! I also spent the weekend with my best friend from 9th grade and her family.  I miss her and laugh so much everytime we see eachother. I need to be reminded of how blessed I am to have good friends I now call family!

Conflict

Well, I had one of those days that I wish I could erase. I had to speak with a player and then parent about an additude on the court and the player spending too much time trying to not fit in with the team. Everything went well with the player (16 year old), but not so good with the parent. It amazes me how people twist things around and only listen to what they want to. I really dislike conflict when I am trying to help a child. One of the struggles with our profession I guess. Any thoughts?

Busy Keeps on Going!

Thank goodness I don't need to worry about balance just yet! I am up at Clemson Volleyball camp with my U13 travel team. We are the youngest team here, short several key players, and playing high school JV teams, look out we're in for some fun:)

I also have begun reading for pleasure this summer. I am hoping spending quality time relaxing and enjoying the summer will have me refreshed and refocused for balance.

Starting Back to School

I chose this topic because having balance in my life is something I struggle with. I am a type A personality that up until the last couple of years have been constantly on the go. Breast cancer and turning 40 has slowed me down and forced me to find time to "relax". The majority of my time is spent teaching, a career that was chosen for me and one that I truly enjoy and respect. But I also am a high school and club volleyball coach, mother of three active children and wife to a supportive husband. In just these short two weeks, I am finding resources to add to my teaching strategies and it just keeps getting better and bigger! I am wondering how I am going to balance it all come fall?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/work-life-balance/WL00056