Mind, Body and Soul Manifestations

Our last day of school for the year was on Friday, but I am currently participating in three days of curriculum writing at the Board of Ed. While this may sound rather monotonous, it's actually been nice to work with my colleagues and compare ideas and methodologies. We don't get to do that often enough. It's also been great getting to share our happy stories about our kids and families. I haven't written a ton of happy blog entries this year, but I feel like I have to share how much I adore my little one. I am ecstatic that on Thursday, we get to spend approximately 80 days together uninterrupted by work! While I feel like the school year took a lifetime to end, I am so happy that I finally get to have quality time with my peanut over the next few months. This is the longest summer break I think I have had since I started teaching 11 years ago. It's even more time off than I got for my maternity leave! I am counting my blessings for that one and thanking Mr. Larr...

My soul is hurting today. I woke up this morning stressed about trying to get my hundreds of students to stay focused in the midst of PARCC testing and 5 days left of school; however, when I got in my car and turned on my radio, I learned about LeBron James' home getting spray painted with the n-word, a noose being found at the Smithsonian African-American History Museum, and the United States making another move against science and improving the environment. I feel a bit like a deflated balloon. Not one that got popped, just one that had a slow leak and is finally starting to crumple onto itself. Last week, I had a terrible Friday. I had posted a funny video about teaching and feeling worn out and someone took it upon themselves to tell me that it "screamed school choice" and "no one wants to listen to folks whining about their work when they have every summer off, every weekend, every holiday, etc. Try doing it all year, 24/7, 365 and give the rest of us a call....

I have had a million and one thoughts racing through my head over the past 24 hours. I learned yesterday that a former student of mine committed suicide on Thursday. His birthday would've been today. I can't even begin to imagine what his family is going through and I am seeing my other former students, his friends, processing this whole awful situation. It has got me reflecting on how we got to this point. This is the second teen that I've known this year that has taken his own life. That is two too many. I never want my students, my friend's children or my own daughter to feel so helpless that they think ending their existence is the only way out. I originally became a teacher because I wanted to help students and make a difference in the world. I am beginning to notice more and more that we are so focused on data, statistics and results that we neglect the mental and emotional well-being of our students. They are bombarded daily with social media, instant access ...

So I am feeling a bit like a crazy person this week. I have so many thoughts running through my brain constantly and I seem unable to sort them all out. This post may be a bit all over the place. I apologize in advance. The main thing weighing on me is finding childcare for my daughter. In general, I absolutely hate feeling like I am burdening others with my existence or my problems. I know that my family members enjoy taking care of the baby, but I can't help but feel like I'm taking advantage of them. However, I am completely terrified to leave my daughter in the care of someone that I don't know. We are currently researching two potential daycare facilities for her, but my anxiety is at an all-time high about it. My stomach is in knots and it did not help that I read about a daycare in our county that had two children (ages 2 and 3 respectively) escape - for lack of a better word. They were found wandering down a street close by the daycare. This, of course, sparked a ...

Look back over the course of this blog, it seems that I write a lot when things are hard for me. I know that may not always be the happiest thing for people to read, but I process what I'm feeling much better through writing. I used to seek solace in drawing or artwork, but the past few years of my life, writing seems to satisfy my soul a bit more. Today, I learned that a friend lost her teenage son. While I have absolutely no idea what the circumstances were, my heart just breaks for her and her family. My earliest memory of experiencing death was when two classmates of mine were killed in a car accident in high school. I have never understood why young lives are yanked away so quickly or in such horrific manners. I remember being angry and sad and confused that God could let something like this happen. The same feelings arose again later in my life when a close friend's sister was also killed in a car accident. Part of me still feels this way when I hear about someone losin...

Well, I am happy to report that I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl on Tuesday October 11th. It was a pretty scary day actually, but it had the best results! I wanted to share my story with you and express how absolutely amazing Anne Arundel Medical Center is! I went into labor while teaching classes on Tuesday (for those who don't know, I teach 6-8th grade art so it was an interesting experience - my students were pretty understanding, but I hope I didn't worry them too much!). Around 11am, my contractions began to be around 5-6 minutes apart consistently. I called my Doctor during my planning period to see if I should come in or continue working. She said she wanted me to wait until my contractions were 3 minutes apart for 2 hours. Since this was my first baby, I guess they weren't concerned with her coming early, but it made me nervous. My contractions continued to get worse and by 6th period, they were only a little over 2 minutes apart so I called my Dr back. The ...

I have had Salt n Pepa's "None of Your Business" stuck in my head since yesterday. In case you don't know what people say about opinions, they're like a$%holes. Everybody's got one. I have been trying to take people's unsolicited advice and opinions with a grain of salt, but I've got to be honest, I'm getting a bit sick of people feeling like just because I have a baby bump that they are free to discuss my choices about birthing, breastfeeding, and other personal topics even if they are complete strangers. I will say that it's one thing if I'm already discussing something and I've put it out there. I realize that opens me up for feedback (desired or not). However, when I am sitting at lunch trying to discuss Labor Day plans and someone interjects with "Are you planning to breastfeed? You should totally do XYZ." Umm...thanks, but no thanks. I don't recall asking for your opinion about what I will do with my breasts curren...