Well isn’t this Monday so eye-CATching?!

 I can’t believe that this is the first full week of school (work) and I’m okay with it. Since the beginning of the school year, I decided to change my mentality and embrace each day as my own learning experience (not that I haven’t done that before, but I’m sticking to it this year). I’m taking my own advice that I usually give my students – that everyday is a new day and you can accomplish your goals and to just breathe because everything will be okay! Believing in this everyday has truly made me happier.

I was in a bit of a teaching slump for the last couple of years, but this year is already different and I’m loving everything about the year so far. This is my 12th year of teaching (woah) and this is the first year in a very long time that teaching is fun again and I remember why I wanted to be a teacher in the first place. Even the meetings don’t seem as bad this year – I know; that’s a feeling I’ve never have had before. I’ve also retired from coaching. I thought that I would always be a coach, but honestly, I needed a break from this as well. I do miss coaching and I will definitely feel weird about not coaching hurdles in the spring, but I think taking a break will be a good thing. Besides, I can always coach again when I’m ready. I am going to be co-leading student council though and I’m excited about that! I used to be involved with student council when I was in school and was even the eighth grade president and vice president all through high school.

With everything going on in the world lately, I feel like I make the biggest impact in my classroom. People think I’m crazy when I tell them I teach middle school, but I like this age group. They’re at an age where they understand certain things and can discuss how they are feeling and what is going on in the world. I not only believe in teaching reading strategies and content, but also how to be a good citizen. The message of being kind to one another and treating others with respect is the number one thing I want my students to remember from my classes and that everyday they felt important; well, and how much they love reading 😉 My students are our future, reading and being informed is important and living each day to your full potential is what it’s all about.

On that note, I hope you all have a lovely day and week!

XO!

Photography: Monica Modzelewski

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