My First Year

This year has been quite a year of change- graduation from grad school, moving to Texas, my first year teaching, buying a new home, and finding out that I'm having a baby! It's been fun sharing the ups and downs throughout the year on this blog because what an adventure it has been!

Wrapping up the first year of teaching was bittersweet. Actually, I take that back...it was pretty amazing. It feels great to have the summer ahead of me and a fully year of experience behind me. They say the first year is the hardest... and just so I don't forget, these are the lessons I learned this school year:

1. The beginning of the year is crazy. It's chaotic. You need to clone yourself. But it get's better. (Hip hip hooray for Abigail's due date and getting to skip the craziness this year!)

2. Never underestimate your students or yourself. One of my students in particular this year taught me that the sky is the limit. He came into the year not knowing the whole braille alphabet, and he left a reading lover who passed the TAKS test. Reaching for the stars pays off.

3. Follow your gut. There were many times this year I felt conflicted about the way things were done or decision that needed to be made. I trusted my instincts, and it paid off in the end.

4. Never stop enjoying the students. There were a few times this year that I got caught up in deadlines, testing, etc. When I stepped back and remembered to have fun, laugh, and love on my kiddos, it made all the difference for all of us.

5. Make friends...and stay out of the drama. I can pat myself on the back for doing this pretty well this year. You have to reach out and use your resources. You have to make friends at work to laugh with and support each other....yet you have to stay out of the chitty chatty teachers' lounges with too much drama.

6. Remember how lucky your are to have this job. For one, I have a teaching job. For two, I get to work with some inspiring and unique kiddos. I get to plan lessons just for them. I get to teach them the fun stuff. I get to make a difference and change lives. I get the summer off. :)

Looking forward to many more teaching adventures, and thanks for letting me share them with you!

Stacey

The Wiggles

This week was all about the WIGGLES!

No, not these Wiggles. These guys creep me out. Big time.

I'm just referring to regular old normal wiggly kids. Not sure if everyone had spring fever this week, or it was just because it's Friday today...but we ALL had the wiggles. Wiggly feet, fingers, toes, minds....

One student was so full of energy today that I dared him to bunny-hop all the way from his classroom to my portable in effort to wear him out. He was up to the challenge....but it didn't do the trick!

Someone else has had the wiggles....and that would be sweet baby Abigail! I've been able to feel her for a couple weeks now, but this week she's seriously taken it up a notch! I feel her SO much all throughout the day. Jared even felt her kick for the first time on Monday. I guess there's a possibility that all her wiggles mean she's pissed at me ("no more cheese, Mom!" or "No, don't curl up like that!"), but I consider them love pats.... I certainly do love them!

Stacey

U-G-L-Y

Today is brought to you by the letter "U!" Or should I say:

(Braille letter U)

My little PreK braille reader and I were discussing the letter "u" today....how it feels, what sound it makes, and what words start with the letter. I made a few suggestions: Umbrella....up....under.....us......uncle.....ugly (P.S. I'm obviously a bad teacher for even using this word!)....

To this, Little Guy says, "Mrs. Chambers, what is ugly?"

Mind you, this student has absolutely NO vision.

And so it makes you think. How do you explain what ugly means to someone who has never seen? Really...what is ugly????

In all seriousness, I explained to Little Guy that ugly is when someone does not behave nicely. That person is acting ugly.

What if that was the only definition?

Little Guy will never form a judgement or treat someone differently because of the way they look.... tall, short, fat, skinny, crooked teeth or messy hair. I wonder if by not seeing others, will he have the precious opportunity to truly see them?

Stacey

Oh, Pooh

Some comments from last week exchanged between me and my 3rd grader:

Get Pooh out of your bag, please.

I like Pooh.

Pooh is funny.

Pooh is my favorite.

Pooh got stuck.

And....I'm five.

The truth is that Pooh saved my life this week....Winnie that is.

I literally have been challenged all year by my sweet and hilarious 3rd grader who has been struggling desperately to read braille. We've been climbing this mountain all year, and I've been trying endlessly to not only teach him to read, but to find books that are at his reading level that he finds interesting to read. No easy feat.

That is, until Pooh.

It all culminated this week when his reading skills peaked, and I handed him a Winnie the Pooh book that he apparently thought was hilarious. Therefore, I kept 'em coming. My little guy has never read more and had so much fun doing it in his life, and I can barely keep up.

He ASKED me to braille him TONS of books for Spring Break, which I eagerly did. I sent him to his class at the end of the day with a HUGE bag of books, to which his teacher said:

"Woah! Mrs. Chambers loaded you up with work for Spring Break!"

What does my cool guy respond with? "Oh, no!! It's not work....they're books!"

Amen.

And this, my friends, is when it feels great to be a teacher. And the next week off doesn't hurt either.

Stacey

"Some people care too much, I think it's called love".
--Winnie the Pooh

Psycho

My 3rd grader informed me this morning that my baby will be a boy. For sure.

Me: How do you know?

3rd grader: My mom's a psycho.

Ummmmmm......

Me: Do you mean she's a psychic?

3rd grader: Yes.

Ahhhh. I see.

Speaking of psycho....let me just tell you a little something about pregnancy hormones. They're legit. And listen, I am NOT complaining. I have been extremely blessed with the best pregnancy so far. I have never felt better in my like. (Don't worry, I am knocking on wood like a mad woman.) The only reason I can actually tell that I am pregnant, besides the expanding stomach, is that I cry at EVERYTHING. Say baby, and I cry. Oprah, forget it. I actually cried reading "Baby Bargains" last night when I thought about registering. And to be quite honest, I cried at a Subaru commercial while writing this post (you know, the one with the father talking to his daughter in the driver's seat?). Legit I tell you.

So, speaking of psychic...I predict lots more tears from here on out. And I predict that maybe JUST maybe we may find out if my 3rd grader is right on TUESDAY. :)

Stacey

From the Heart

So, I teach blind kids.

When I tell people about my job, I always get the typical responses.

"You must be such a saint!" Doubtful.

"You must be so patient!" Occassionally.

"Is't that just heartbreaking?" Rarely.

"What a rewarding job!" Yes, when I take the time to remember that.

This morning was a little frustrating. I felt like every student was on another planet....HELLO!! Anyone in there??? Later, one student started crying when I told him it was time to come work on Braille. I know, playdough is hard to compete with sometimes.

Funny how your perspective can turn on a dime....because out of nowhere today, I had this conversation with one of my 5 year old students while working a puzzle:

Student: Mrs. Chambers, I can't see with my eyes.

Me: (gulp) Yes, that is right.

Student: Mrs. Chambers, I don't see with my eyes....but I see with my heart.

Me: (speechless)

Student: Would you like me to teach you how?



SERIOUSLY?!!!

Well, little guy....you teach me that more and more everyday.

Rewarding? What do you think?

Stacey

V-Day

Jared and I celebrated V-day by spending the day together on Sunday. We went to brunch atDream Cafe (FAVE!), took a walk in the 70 degree weather and fed the ducks by our pond (they apparently are not interested in 100% whole wheat), and we had dinner with my parents (LOVE!).

So that brings me to yesterday, Valentine's Day, which turned out to be the perfect trifecta of three of my favorite things...pink, sugar, and Pioneer Woman.

One of my students decided to bring me a Valentine's Day gift, which was so sweet, and what was sweeter was how excited he was to give it to me. It went a little something like this:

Student: Mrs. Chambers, I know how much you love cupcakes.

Me (decked out in pink, despite the fact that my students can't see that): YES (score!)

Student: I also remember how you do not like the frosting on cupcakes.

Me: Great memory!!

Student: So, for Valentimes (yes, he says it with an "m"), I licked the icing off this cupcake and brought it just for you.

There are no words.

After school, Paige and I zipped over to Borders to meet one of our favorite bloggers, Ree Drummond aka Pioneer Woman. We got there an hour early only to find out there were 400 people in line before us!!!! (I told you she is awesome!) Needless to say, we stayed for her Q & A and then jetted. It was SO fun, though, and we're glad we went!

Even Marlboro Man was there! :)

Then, Paige and I got some Pinkberry (blood orange is to die for), and she brought me home just in time for my sugar high (sans cupcake) to crash and to yell at the TV during the Bachelor. Whew!

LOVE,

Stacey

One Hundred

So it's a big week! We've officially been in school for 100 days (dear Lord save me!) AND my baby is officially 100 days young this week (only 178 more days to go!) That's a lot of 100's, which means there's so much to be thankful for!

Here's a few:

1. SO thankful that my sweet little guys and their family had HEAT during Texas Blizzard 2011. Wohoo!

2. In disbelief that one of my students could NOT wait to surprise me with the fact that he read, wrote, and practiced his flashcards EVERY snow day. If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is.

3. So grateful that the Bachelor is on Mondays. Nothing can get you through the Monday blues like a cup of chocolate ice cream, Our Host Chris Harrison, and a little Bachelor drama....even if I DO spend have the time hiding behind a pillow.



4. Maternity pants. Seriously...it's like the pregnant woman's mullet. Business on bottom, party on top.

5. Angry Birds App. Not so much sure if this is actually something I should be thankful for or not, as it seems to keep me awake at night and distracted from conversations with Jared at home. Hmm...I'll work on that.

Stacey

I need a beard.

Your next spelling word, kids, is the word beard. B-E-A-R-D. For example, "Your dad has a beard."

"No, Mrs. Chambers!!! He DOES NOT HAVE A BEARD! Why would he???"

Okay, okay, maybe, "When you grow up you might have a BEARD!"

"NOOOO! Mrs. Chambers!! Never!"

Wow, okay...I didn't know having a beard was such a bad thing. A lot of people do! Do you not like beards?

"Mrs. Chambers. This is very bad. Beard is drugs, and you are not supposed to drink beard until you are 21 or maybe never at all."


HA! Just an average day with 8 year olds.....I need a "beard."
Stacey

Roast Bun

Disclaimer: Benchmart testing is taking place all week. Side effects include: boredom, grumpiness, and getting unreasonably punchy and giggly. The last symptom may or may not be the cause of the following post.

One of my little students was reading a passage yesterday about a rose bush as part of this testing. This meant that I was unable to help him with any miscues or mispronunciations in this passage. Unfortunately, the little guy is not yet the strongest reader.

The rose bush story turned into a story about a roast bun. I am sure you can imagine this story about the roast bun being planted in the backyard. The roast bun needs to be watered. The roast bun needs the sunlight. With time, the roast bun will be a large and beautiful roast bun with lots and lots of beautiful roasts.

Roast buns + afformentioned punchiness and giggliness = hilariousness in Mrs. Chambers' classroom. That is all.

Laugh when you can,
Stacey

It's Pajamas! P-A-J-A-M-A-S!

Since my last post, my time has been split between running around like a mad woman and being completely attached to my couch. And you know what? I am perfectly fine with that! This week marked the start of 2011, Jared's 29th birthday, and a fresh start to new semester at school. And there's really nothing I love more than new beginnings.

This week at work I got to enjoy the giggles and jokes of my cute students, and I was reminded of why being a teacher can be so much fun. I remember smiling on Tuesday afternoon thinking, "If I can just hold on to these sweet moments, my positive attitude can keep me going throughout semester, despite the stresses that will undoubtedly come." And of course, my students reminded me of the importance of attitude in their subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

Before the break, I gave a student a pair of special pajamas because I had shared with him that getting a new pair of pajamas was a tradition that my husband and I shared each Christmas. This week, I learned that the pajamas were the only gift this student received this Christmas. (Imagine my heart physically breaking on the spot). The amazing thing, though, is that he was not complaining about this to his classmates, but rather sharing in the joy that he got some "really cool pajamas - tops AND bottoms!!!" His first pair. Talk about the power of attitude!

Later in the week, I was getting on to one of my students because he was slacking off when he was supposed to be working. After my reprimand, he mumbled under his breath, "attitude!" You've got that right...I about blew my lid. Was he SERIOUSLY going to say that to ME?! Of course I had an attitude, and it was because of his bad attitude. And so it could continue...

When it's all said and done (and we've heard it a million times) attitude is everything. I can choose to see the joy in the pair of pajamas or choose to fly the coop every time an 8 year old slacks off.

In the new year, there will be many things to worry over and stress about, but mark my words - I'm joining Team Pajamas. Anyone with me??

Stacey

The Conference Blues

Today was day one of two of a statewide literacy conference I am attending with my colleagues. I have been so excited to gain some new strategies to use with my students in the classroom. The speakers were amazing. Too amazing, in fact! Today I walked away with what I like to call the "Conference Blues."

I started off the day all fired up but about midway through started to feel, well....bluesy. I realized that I was obviously a crappy teacher because I could never find the time in a million years to do all these wonderful things with my students! They almost lost me until....

They shared a quote: "The individual relationship between the instructor and the struggling reader is crucial to the success of the reader."

If there's one thing I've got it's that my students know how much I care about their success, their learning, and their lives. I laugh with my students, I work hard for my students, I set high expectations for my students. Most of the time, they do the same for me.

Ya know, I think this can apply to a lot of things in life. Sometimes people just need to know you care. Be there. Laugh. Cry. Dream big.

Stacey

Election Day

Passing through the halls today....and saw these posters. If only elections were this easy!

Happy Election Day!

Stacey

Friday 5....on Saturday

Better late than never!

5. Gloria's Gloria's Hallelujah!

One reason I love my job is that my classroom can be anywhere....even at one of my all time faves-Gloria's Mexican Restaurant. That's right...I got to take a student to lunch at Gloria's to teach social skills! I got to introduce my favorite 8 year old to none other than Gloria's bean dip. Love.

4. Pumpkin Guts

That's what we called the inside of the pumpkins growing up. This week, 3 of my students got to feel pumpkin guts for the first time when we carved pumpkins in my classroom. One of the students is 17 years old! It's amazing what some of my students have missed out on, and it's so much fun that I get to help them experience new things!

3. Oh. My. Gaw.

Yup, that's one of my preschool students' new favorite sayings. Even though I corrected him for saying it...I have to admit, it's pretty hilarious coming from his little mouth. And like he said, "It's not a bad word!"

2. Ninja Turtles

Yesterday an 8 year old asked me if I have ever heard of the Ninja Turtles. Seriously? Leonardo and I are BFF.

1. ANTLERS UP!

RANGERS WIN! And I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Baylor to keep their lead against UT! Sic 'em!

Have a great weekend!!

Stacey

Flu Shot

I am a huge fan of the flu shot. However, I've been extra busy lately and have failed to make the stop to get mine despite the fact that it has been on my to-do list for about a month. So, you can image my excitement when I saw the flu shot memo on the clinic door at my school. Score.

I was telling my student about the flu shot when he asked, "Mrs. Chambers, do people die from the flu?" I explained that most healthy people do not die from the flu but that the flu can be very dangerous for people that are either very sick already or that are old and frail.

"Old, Mrs. Chambers? Like...25?"

Well, I guess I left myself wide open for that one.

Hope that made you smile like it did me. Oh, and get your flu shot.

Stacey

White Cane Day

Today we celebrated the ever-so-popular holiday: White Cane Day. White cane, you ask? Yes, I would be referring to the long white canes that people who are blind or visually impaired use to travel. And YES, there happens to be a day to celebrate these things. But let me just tell you that the day was both eventful and meaningful in many ways. The eventfulness started early...

7:30 am

I set out on my morning commute to work, headed down I35. Suddenly, my dashboard started beeping at me, and my tire went flat. I was lucky enough to have exited in time, but what a helpless feeling! I was stuck. I don't even know how to change a tire. However, my sweet dad came to my rescue. Just in time for me to get to school for the field trip....

9:00 am

Yes, this would be the field trip celebration of White Cane Day at City Hall. My 8 year old student was literally bouncing off the walls with excitement. I humored him in his excitement but secretly doubted the amazingness that would be 100 blind people parading around City Hall and keeping my student on task during hours of speakers. Am I a horrible person for thinking this?

11:00

Maybe. Everything was nice. Teachers accompanied students on a walk around City Hall with many other blind people in the community. We enjoyed turkey sandwiches and prepared to listen to some speakers. Could this simply be just a nice break from the grind of the school day?

12:30

No. The speakers were amazing. Many of the speakers were members of the community with a visual impairment who are successful and fabulous and motivating. They encouraged the crowd to remember that a visual impairment may be a loss of eyesight but not a loss of "vision." I was encouraged to make a difference for my students and hoped my student was encouraged as well...Oh wait, I think my student is sleeping....

2:00

I guess I was wrong. As we returned to school and I prepared to send him back to class, my student asked if we could practice reading. Ummmmm, sure? He told me that he listened to the speakers talk about how he could do anything he put his mind to, and he wanted to get better at reading. He also told me that this celebration of the white cane made him think about how his white cane can remind him that he can do anything or go anywhere he wants to go. He told me that hearing the speakers and being around others who are blind reminded him that he is not the only one who can't see and that he must work hard to achieve his dreams.

3:00

As my little guy headed out for the weekend, I sat there dumbfounded. Man, he seriously never ceases to amaze me with his ability to humble me. And here is what I learned today:

1. Kids will surprise you. They just might be listening when you least expect it. You never know when they might actually hear something that will resonate within.

2. Maybe I can be more open to hearing those messages sometimes, too.

3. Feeling stranded with my flat was a temporary feeling. Nothing a quick call to roadside assistance and a really good dad can't fix. My students and the blind people in the community probably have that feeling much more often. And yes, I think we DO need to celebrate that white cane and all it signifies for these individuals.

4. A girl needs to be rescued by her Daddy every now and then. :)

Stacey

Friday 5

3 work moments + 2 non-work moments = Friday 5

5. I asked one of my young students what he had for lunch yesterday. "Nothing," he said. "Nothing???" I asked. "Nope. Just Spaghetti," he said. He went on to explain to me that it had no meat; therefore, it did not count. This is REALLY funny to me because I have had the exact conversation with my husband, and it was actually the cause of our very first fight. :)

4. If you read my post from the other day, you know that I had a moment where I fell FLAT on my face in the hallway. One of my students has proceeded to ask me EVERY day since then if I remember when that happened. Obviously, he is not going to let me forget it!

3. Picture day! There is nothing more adorable than seeing all of the students all dressed up for picture day. One of my elementary students informed me that he even had his "dancing shoes" on! Love.

2. My little brother turned 23! We celebrated Jason this week, and it was so fun to be back in Texas and share the special day in person. We had a great family dinner at this great restaurant in downtown Grapevine: http://www.dinossteakandclaw.net

1. The Rangers, Braves, and Yankees are ALL in the post season! It's been a week of nail biting, jersey wearing, and "bling" rubbing! Talk about a house divided!

Shorty got low low low low

Ever think you should have a theme song for your day? Or maybe that Rachel Berry could come around the corner any minute and break out in song on her way to glee club practice with the New Directions? Today, I think FLO Rida could sing my theme song...."She Hit the Floor."

Yup, that's right...the floor and I had it out today. Here's why:

1. One of my blind students uses small cubes as manipulatives to solve math problems. Somewhere during hour 3 of administering a standardized math test to this student, he slowly counted "116, 117, 118....." BOOOM! His arm swept across the desk and small cubes flew everywhere. [Cue FLO Rida] "She hit the floor! Next thing you know!"

2. Somewhere during hour 5 of the testing, I realized that in the shuffle of students, I hadn't eaten anything yet and the coffee jitters were unbearable. Aha! I reached for my new favorite snack- a Lara Bar ...(check them out at www.larabar.com)....banana bread, my favorite! Plop. [Cue FLO Rida] "Next thing you know! Shorty got low low low low!"

3. The day was almost over! We had all survived the testing. My student and I were laughing about something, relieved for the end of the day. Too bad about that small puddle outside of my classroom. I fell. Hard. Face First. Classic. FLO Rida, you got this.

Five minutes later my student says, "Mrs. Chambers, remember when you fell flat on the floor?" Got to love it.

Just thought I'd share because if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at right?

Here's to staying far from the floor tomorrow!

Stacey

A Twinkle of Kindness

Last week, one of my little nuggets and I faced some challenges as we weaseled and worked our way through some proverbial red tape in order to get him placed in a new class.

Just for the record, sometimes I think this "red tape" has blinking flashing lights with my name on it along with a carnival man with a megaphone shouting "step right up!" I was still sticky with my last bought with the tape, but Little Nugget (LN) and I took on the challenge anyway. Thus, I was feeling worn down.

Enter Ms. C.

Ms. C. is LN's new teacher, and my own personal angel, I'm sure. Ms. C. reminded me this week that it's sometimes the little acts of kindness and care that make the biggest difference, for a frustrated teacher and a nervous LN.

Ms. C showed us little acts of kindness like teaching her class to sing LN a welcome song on his first day, like letting LN be her special helper all day long, like changing snack time to "right now" because LN just wasn't sure about his new class. And then today:

LN showed me how Ms. C. taught him to flash his fingers like twinkling stars. LN is blind; he has never seen the stars. But Ms. C. took the time to teach him this fact and explain to him this wonder.

This week, Ms. C. was my twinkling star during a week that felt dim and dull. And Ms. C. reminded me that a little twinkle can go a long way.

Stacey

Friday 5

Drumroll, please....

5. Lame: One of my favorite words is lame, pronounced "Laaaame." I told my student I had something really fun planned for us, and he said, "Mrs. Chambers, is it really fun? Or laaaame?" Touche, kid. Touche.

4. Book on CD: For all of you teachers out there, this may be old news, but I had my student make his own book on CD. His obsessed with listening to his recorded voice, and I have never seen anyone more motivated to read! iPhone-ers out there, there is even a voice-recorder app to make your life easier. Check it out:

http://www.recordertheapp.com

3. Co-Teach: My buddy Jordan from Vanderbilt also works for my district, and today she got to come spend the afternoon with me and my students. It was so fun to have her there. We decided we would be much better teachers if we could always teach together.

2. College week: This week was college week at the elementary schools. I got to tell several groups of students about the college(s) I went to and my college experience(s). Don't worry, I spared all of the dirty details. Best part - I got to decorate my door:

The kids made banners. My favorites:

1. Totally not work-related, but the #1 best thing of the week is that we found a house! We are (hopefully) signing a contract tomorrow!!

Stacey