Let's take a walk back to 2012. A teacher by the name of Deanna Jump spent many hours emailing and inspiring me to become the teacher I always dreamed of. Later that year, she became TPT first millionaire teacher. Her fame didn't stop her passion but only compelled her to reach further and do more. My friend has a heart of GOLD! 

In the past few years, Deanna along with several other teachers I admire got together to take our field to new heights! It is THE professional development party/experience of the year and this year... it is going virtual! 

With remote learning well under way, connecting with students has become the biggest obstacle to remote learning.

Only a few months ago, I would stand at my classroom door to greet my students. I eagerly awaited their arrival to here the stories from the night before, for hugs, high fives, and fist bumps. I looked forward to smiles, reconnecting, and preparing for the day ahead. 

Now I sit at a computer in my home waiting for Dojo messages, pictures, or schedule a virtual meeting using Google Meet. This is the perfect choice for those using Google Classroom. 

The announcement came. The one we all knew was coming but dreaded. We will not go back this year. 

I sit not knowing how to react or what to say. I still haven't said anything to my students and their families. What is there to say? We will work remotely until the end. 

I am shocked, heartbroken, and relieved. Going back means worrying about someone getting sick. Not going back means never getting to have all of those amazing end of the year experiences. So many emotions; more than I can put to words. If I can't explain it to me, how can I explain it to them? 

​I am always looking for new books to read to my students. Books that they connect to and that show different perspectives of life in America. These are always the favorite for #bookaday in the classroom. 

This book popped us as a free option for teachers in March 2020 on Libro.fm.  You can learn more about Libro.fm and their free books for teachers in my post titled Free Audiobooks for Teachers.

Pencils. We all need them. We all have them and we all know about the pencil problems we have every day. Who knew pencils could cause so many issues? I never did until I started teaching!

This month we are focusing on organization. For those who are new to teaching, solving the pencil problem is one of those things I tell pre-service teachers they can plan for ahead of time. You need to find what works best for you. There are so many options but you need to think about your students, your school, your expectations, and what you can/are willing to do to solve this problem for the entire year. 

Have you ever wonder what makes a school worth of 5 stars or that elusive A+ rating? Dr. Connors asks us to take a different look at our schools. Picture a 5-star restaurant. How does it make you feel? Why would you pay top dollar to eat there?

Now compare this your local school. How does it make you feel? Why would you want to go here? What makes it special and unique? 

As we contemplate these questions we begin to see not only the problems in our schools but also the solution on where to begin to correct it. 

​Today is a big day. Our district has officially gone from E-learning to Remote learning. I know that it is basically the same thing but my heart doesn't know that. What started out so simply as an extended spring break has turned into something bigger, scarier, and unknown. 

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that a school could just close. Mid-year without warning. Who would have thought that not just a school but schools around the country would be questioning if we go back but yet, here we are. 

We all know that organization is one of the keys to success in our classrooms and homes but how to become organized is a bit more complicated. 

Some people seem to be born with the ability to organize while others struggle to organize and yet seem to never accomplish it. What magic do these people possess to be able to organize so effortlessly? AND once you are organized? How do you keep it that way? 
​

I started with Daily 5. I have really struggled with my ELA instruction this year thanks to the implementation of a new curriculum that I am still not sure I like. 

Anywho...

Imagine my surprise when inside the book I discovered the Above, Pause, Whisper technique. I use this somewhat in my classroom but never knew it was a technique or where I learned it from. This is one I need to implement as soon as classes resume. 

Today our audiobook-loving district librarian challenged us to read Jason Reynolds' Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and you. Her reasoning: each day we challenge our students with the text that we present to them but when was the last time we challenged ourselves.

Okay. I'm in. I am always up for a challenge. 

Racism is a problem in the United States but not everyone is racist. I am hoping for a solution to the problem, for a better understanding of the issue and not more whining without resolution.