Thank a Teacher Week

I know I'm biased, but I really do mean it when I say "thank a teacher this next week." The week of May 6th marks the beginning of teacher appreciation week. I think teaching is one of the most under-appreciated professions in the US today. We are constantly getting blamed by parents and students for something we did wrong (even though it's typically the student who forgot to turn it in),  hit with new standards and more tests each year, and are the brunt of many jokes such as "you work so hard until 3 pm everyday 9 months a year." Let me say that I could work hard 24/7 and always have something left to do in my classroom, grade more papers, or make more lesson plans.

While those are some of the pet peeves of mine as a teacher, it is things like I got today in my inbox that make me realize why I am doing what I am doing. If you had asked me 5 years ago what my job would be, I don't think I ever would have told you that I would be teaching. I don't know why it never occurred to me, considering I grew up coaching, tutoring, and helping others with math.... I even played "school" as a little girl with my baby dolls?! I like the way my principal put it a few short weeks ago-- she said that "it takes a special person to be a really great teacher, and you are definitely in the right career."

This all leads me to this email I got from a former student:

"I don't know if you remember me or not . But , I had your class third period last year. I found myself thinking about my experience at [name of school], & I never had the chance to thank you! You helped me more than you realize. Thank you for being such a GREAT math teacher , Thanks for taking the time to help me. I must say you were my favorite teacher there! Please keep up the good work. I remember Saying goodbye to you at graduation & having tears in my eyes. Thank you! your awesome , i just wanted to email you & tell you ! :) i hope your doing well ,& had a great school year."

It made me smile and really made the rest of my day today! I just wanted to share and encourage you to thank a teacher that truly made a difference in your life. You really don't know how much it means to us, just to know that we have made an impact on one person's life.

Catching up- Spring Break

It's long overdue, but I thought I'd finally get something written about Spring Break! It was an unusually cold spring break week. We had highs in the low 50s and lows in the upper 30s!? It didn't get warm until the last three days of the week. We had a busy spring break with visitors! I don't mind though, I love entertaining.

The first guest to arrive was my friend Sara! I got to know Sara though a small group bible study when I lived in Tennessee, and since then, she has come to visit a few times now! I am always surprised she leaves t go back to TN- she is a beach bum by heart, so it's awesome to get to see her here! The next day, my brother and his girlfriend drove in from southern-central FL! Ben and Kristy stayed the week, but was awesome to get to see them for an extended amount of time. Ben and I had never really had a vacation by ourselves, since we always have parents with us, so it was fun and different to be alone. We did miss the parents though! We had a lot of fun beach bumming it in full clothing, playing frisbee golf, and eating good gulf seafood! The last day they were here we went to Pensacola to eat at Flounder's. This is a restaurant we grew up eating at. It is right on the bay, so the ambiance is great! During family vacations, we probably ate at Flounder's 80% of the time we went out. Of course, we had to get the seafood nachos like old times and we were all about to pop when we left. :) Enjoy a few snapshots of the fun week!