And so the Crazy Begins

              It has been a busy last two weeks! I have been on the go getting all the "teacher" stuff rockin' and rollin'! Teaching 7th and 8th grade should be super fun this year, and a chance for me to grow in my career! Early mornings and late nights are in my future, but I am blessed to have this opportunity. There are a lot of similarities, but WAY more differences this year, than last. One thing I'm able to tell everyone though is that this group of students are amazing! I can't wait to see what they can accomplish. I believe the novels I am going to teach are; The House on Mango Street, The Watson's go to Birmingham, and A Christmas Carol. For 8th grade I'm thinking...lol, I'm still thinking.

              Looking for a car is another task on my list of things to do. Being in a one car family has it's challenges, but I kind of enjoy the ride to work and ride home with Travis. In good timing we will find the right vehicle for me.

             Football season!! Yay, today is the day that we've all been waiting for. Hopefully we can attend a game in Charlotte this year, while the 49ers are there! :) Yes the hullabalu about Colin Kapernick, and I totally agree with his right to express himself. Military members fight and die for Americans to express themselves and to practice those freedoms. To say that he can't do that, would be defeating the purpose all together. It all makes sense to me. It's sometimes sickening to see how people respond to others. We see so much hate now days, if you are not doing what the majority of society is doing. Any way.. the way people are reacting to him, is exactly proving his message. Off this topic, I'm super excited for the football season. Hopefully it will be more about football, and less like a soap opera!

             I'm praying that this week is successful, and that everyday I can try to get better. This post seems like a little glimpse into my thought process tonight. :) Until next time!

New Beginnings

September 1, 2016 You can call me Ms. Durrance Good News!           I've been given an opportunity to teach at a Charter School this year! I am so excited for the chance to change young people's lives again. Timing is everything. I am so thankful and relieved, that I got to start at the beginning of the school year. It will give me a chance to lay down routines, procedures, create class rules, and get to know the students! I didn't get that chance last year, and over these last four days, I have seen just how important it is to have the teacher there the first day!           I have a new set up. Tile floors, pretty rug, no lockers, glass white boards, and a huge TV. It's homey, but I hope to add a few more "warm" touches over this next week (like lamps, more poster boards, and a huge calendar for the wall).            I'm grateful to have had the extra motivation from Travis. I was just about to substitute for the rest of the year, but I'm glad to have pushed forward in my application process. These students are so impressive, and their writing has blown me out of the water! The seventh and eighth graders have already read Shakespeare's, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer's Night Dream!All some of my favorites, and I can not believe they read it at this grade level. The students are advanced in areas of reading and writing, which is beautiful for me, because now I have the opportunity to make more rigorous lessons for them. I am looking into novels that we could read over the year, because next week is when we will dive into heavier content.              Congratulations to all my other teacher friends and family for starting off another school year strong! Keep your head up and continue to love these students! Ms. D :)

THANKFUL Thursday  Given the opportunity to teach. 7th and 8th grade  The future of the world is in my classroom.