My Blessed Little Life

That picture says a lot about who I am. I am an Iowa girl, born and bred.  My hometown is a tiny little place in northwest Iowa, Primghar, made up of 900 good, God-fearing, hard-working people... farmers, teachers, small business owners. People who took a true interest in how others were doing and helped out their neighbors without being asked. I am so proud of where I grew up. I'm grateful for the small town values that shaped who I am. I'm happy that both my husband and I were raised in similar towns, and we both share those small town values now while raising our kids.  While I would give anything to raise my kids in my hometown, I am blessed to share my small town values with my family.

This is where I'd rather be...sigh.  It's that time again...the calm before the storm so to speak.  Back to school displays are up and the sales fliers are in the mailbox...ugh.  I'm not really excited this year.  I usually love to stock up for things for my classroom, but this year, I'm not feeling it. I don't know if it is because my co-teacher left to try reading instead of language arts with me, or because it means I'll have to start a new co-teaching relationship.  Maybe it's a little  lot of both. I totally understand the need for change.  We grade a lot...all the time.  I can't fault her for that...we just had a great partnership that is going to be hard to reestablish again. But it will be done because I can do that or have a long year... and I don't want that! My kids are at grandma's house for the week, so it is a good time for me to get things done around here before the craziness starts in again.  Two kids in middle schoo...

 21 of 31 for the Slice of Life Challenge from  Two Writing Teachers I see you struggle Day in and day out. Life has pushed you around Beaten you up Taken your lunch money. Life is a bully, Adding punch after punch To your gut. My heart breaks As I watch you in the hall, Clothes unwashed, Worn for the fifth day in a row. The Beats you carry around your neck, Bought by public generosity, Are a symbol of resilience, That money isn't an issue. School is your safe place. Your spot to get away From the chaos of your life. In and out of shelters, School of a constant. Lately that constant Is on shaky ground. That constant is tired. That constant has put up With disrespect, and abuse Of its own. That constant is rebelling too. "Find a place for this one. We've had enough." I know in a heartbeat As soon as I see you walk in What kind of day I'll have. Calm water or stormy weather Brewing as you sit down. A day of compromise, wor...

  15 of 31 for the Slice of Life Challenge from Two Writing Teachers In our weekly team meetings, we often have a question of the day.  Something along the lines of "What was the best part of your Christmas (Winter) break?" or something silly like "What would your pro-wrestler name be?"  We go around the table and give our answer.  Since we are a pretty tight knit group, we can usually predict what is going to be said. This week our question of the week was "What career would you choose to start if you no longer were a teacher?"  Because we had so much business on the agenda, we didn't get to go around the table like usual.  I started to think about this question after leaving the meeting. What would I be? I taught sixth grade for two years, and then I took a break from teaching for 8 years after the birth of my son.  Growing up, I really only had one career choice. I was going to be a teacher like my mom and dad.  In the back of my head, ...

  14 of 31 for the Slice of Life Challenge from Two Writing Teachers Today my oldest leaves to go to the state Stuco convention.   This is the first time she has ever left for more than one night and is traveling hundreds of miles away from home...well, without it being at her grandparent's house.  She will be staying with someone that I have never met, and even though I know that she will be well cared for, I can't help but worry.  Will she remember to use her manners?  Will she be safe and respectful? All of these nagging feelings come up.  I know I have taught her well, and have seen the way she behaves at school, so I shouldn't worry so much.  She will be in good hands with her advisor, and is going with a great group of students.  So why does a small part of me dread her leaving this morning?  I know she would say, "Mom, chill out.  I'm going to be fine."  Logically I know that.  My heart just wants the best for h...

  9 of 31 for the Slice of Life Challenge from Two Writing Teachers I've got to brag about my son.  Today was the regional math competition for 4th-6th grades, and my son once again went representing his school.  He was so happy to go again, and wasn't just the alternate like last year.  This year he earned a full spot and has been busy preparing for the contest for weeks.  His math club sponsors are wonderful and do such a great job getting them ready.  I truly appreciate their hard work. He took two tests; one in math concepts and one in problem solving.  After he finished, he told me he thought he placed in problem solving, but concepts was hard this year.   As it came time for the awards presentation,  I could see how nervous he was getting.  Last year he earned a 5th place, so his goal was to improve on that.  They presented the ribbons for concepts first, and several of his classmates did very well.  Ne...

  8 of 31 for the Slice of Life Challenge from Two Writing Teachers Last night I had the opportunity to hear Tina Meier speak about her daughter Megan and the affect that cyberbullying has had on their family.  Megan had struggled most of her life with self esteem issues and dealing with her peers.  She never felt good enough about herself, and admitted to her mother in 3rd grade that she wanted to kill herself.  Red flags went up for this family and her mother spoke about how they went to counseling and spoke with the school.  Megan continued to struggle with peer pressure and hurtful comments.  She tried buying friends with candy and gifts, and getting attached to crowds that weren't good for her.  Ultimately, Megan was cyberbullied by an adult neighbor who created a fake MySpace account to befriend and then harrass her as a joke.  This person was the mother of one of her friends.  She posed as a boy who liked Megan, who began an onli...