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Introduction

My first year teaching, I remember going out with my teaching buddies to happy hour on Friday's once a month. We would order some cheap appetizers and let the unwinding begin. The consensus of those nights was we spent too much time at school. We were working 50-60 hour weeks and that was before the weekend began. On the weekends we would continue to work but it never ended. The overwhelm was chasing us but no matter how hard we work, it never ended. 
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The end of that first year, I sat down with my teaching buddies once again and said I am not doing this again. I cannot have another year like this. There has to be a way for me to teach and live. If I can't find a way, I will have to stop teaching as my family comes first. 

That summer, we did a lot of research! We came up with a plan and we put it into action. We succeed and failed all at the same time. The changes we were making helped but the sheer number of projects we took on was overwhelming. Those Friday night dinners once a month, became a way of tweaking our ideas. 

The next year, I had compiled all we learned and began writing our plan. This plan became The Path to Passionate Teaching. I shared my plan and we put it into action. That year we only worked 45 hours each week.  
In the last five years a lot of changes have been made: we moved states, districts, positions, and some of us even left teaching all together. Despite the changes, we have continued to use the plan set forth in The Path to Passionate Teaching with success. We are all now working 40 hours a week. We have time to live our lives with passion and can enjoy ourselves in and out of the classroom. 

How do I get started? 

Staying organized is one of the ways to become a passionate teacher. For this reason, we have created a few items to help you organize your journey to passionate teaching. 

School Year Challenges

When the overwhelm reaches out and begins to haunt you, that is when you know you need help! On the 1st of each month, you will have a chance to jump in and join the challenge. Each monthly challenge is designed to take you one step closer to becoming a passionate teacher. We will give you advice, examples, and ideas surrounding this month's topic.

Just as all teachers do, we want you to make this challenge your own! Use the hashtag #daisiesandchalkpassion to share your journey and help other teachers just like you! For this month's post please see our blog. For past posts, please click on the links below. 

September

Setting up your year for success for you and your students! 
Office Hours
Morning Routines
​Afternoon Routines

October

There are a lot of surprises throughout the year but having a plan to handle them will help elevate the stress of these surprises. 
Indoor Recess
Field Day
​Game Day
The Loss of a Loved One

November

Testing, Data, Tracking, Progress Monitoring, Reviewing, and more. What should you do and when? 
Review Parties
Review Strategies
Tracking Data
​Easy Progress Monitoring

December

Party Planning and Celebrations do not have to be stressful. Creating simple traditions will help you enjoy these more. 
Party Agenda
Party Parents
Easy Decorating Ideas
Party Games
​Party Crafts
Valentines

January

This month we are diving deep into Goal Setting and how one should do that in and out of the classroom. 
SMART Goals
Types of Goals
When to Create Goals
Tracking Success
What to do when Goals Fail
One Word 2021

February

This month we are working with Professional Development. Simple steps to make all of this less stressful!
Evaluation Prep
Surprise Evaluations
Walk Throughs

Portfolios
​Branding You

March

How to Grade
Student Work Samples
Copies

Sending Papers Home
​Email

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April

This month we are focusing on organizing all the things. Organization is truly a hidden key to successful teaching! 
Math Centers                              
ELA Centers
Parent Communication

Party Supplies
Your File Cabinet
​Student Records

May

This month we are looking at prepping for next year and how to handle the inevitable move to a different room. 
Smarter Packing
Prepping for Next Year
Moving Classrooms or Schools
​Working through the Summer
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WARNING! 

DO NOT look at the above links as a list of things you must do! Look at it as a list of options on things that you can improve inside of your own classroom. As mentioned in the introduction, you are picking 1 project to work on this month. ONE way to improve your already amazing classroom.  If you have time you can pick another one or wait until next year to tackle the next thing on your list. 

Trying to do all of these things at once is a sure fire way to fail and become overwhelmed. The goal is to eliminate the overwhelm not add to it. 

Summer Challenges

Despite the popular myth, we all know that teachers work during the summer. This is our time of the year to catch-up, reflection, and to prepare for the year ahead. For this reason, I have created challenges to help us prepare to be our best selves in the upcoming school year.
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June

This month we are focusing on you! YOU MATTER and now is the time to take care of you. 
Health
Fitness
Meal Planning
Beauty

Discounts for Teachers
Hobbies
​Travel

July

Apps for Google Meets
Book Studies
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August

Our focus during the school year is on our students. This month. we will be focusing on all the things and people we have been neglecting. 
Family Bonding
Building Faith
Friendship Connection
The Importance of Traditions

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