Good News!

  After many weeks of waiting and back and forth, I finally found out that my certification issue is going to be worked out.  Many of you  may know that I was in the process of adding something on my GA certificate to my TN certificate.  It was taking a long time and my start day for school is getting closer and closer (I start this Monday, the 26th).  I was getting so nervous that I would not even be able to teach on Monday.

    I talked with an AWESOME lady at Hamilton County Human Resources and she was helping me figure out the different avenues we could take.  However, we did not have to try and go another route, because we received word that my add-on was approved!

   This is such a relief!  I have been down at school for the past two weeks, getting ready for the job I was not really even sure would work out for me to be able to take. I am glad it all worked out!  So, now all I need is Monday to get here.

Shadowing

  This past week, I spent Tuesday-Friday at my new school. I was shadowing the current teacher just to get an idea of how things go around there and all. I am so excited to be there!!!  I got to kind of chill out in the back, take some notes, think of some things I would like to do the same and different, and I even got to do a little planning for when we come back from Fall Break.  

  I was very nervous about what 5th graders would be like-I have never taught them. The highest I have ever taught is 2nd grade.  In fact, I was so nervous about them, that I seriously debated even taking the job at first.  If it wasn't for my husband's encouragement and sheer excitement, I might have wussed out.  But he had so much faith in me and how much I would love the job that I decided to trust his judgement and go for it. And let me say...I LOVE IT!  Fifth grade is not scary at all! In fact, I love it because I can talk to them, joke around, and feel like they can handle more stuff.  

 

  I was debating about changing the room around-ya know, rearranging, taking down some stuff, adding some stuff, etc.  The teacher there before me was very encouraging about that. She told me she pretty much expected that I would change it.  She understood that I needed to "make it my own" and do what is best for me.  That was helpful.  And also, I think the kids can handle it.  They aren't Kindergartners that flip out if you move a basket of books.  So I'm happy about that part.

  Not only do I love the kids, but the staff has been SO great.  They have made a point to welcome me, introduce themselves and help me when needed. I don't feel like an outsider as I have in the past in new positions.  I like the feeling of being welcomed.  I am excited to already be meeting some awesome people-an even some people who,as it turns out, new me as a kid. Crazy!

  Now for the problem....In Tennessee, 5th grade is considered Middle School as far as certification goes.  In TN, I am only certified Pre-K-4.  While I taught in GA, I got a middle school certification added to my existing certification. However, I never got it added to my TN license.  And now I am racing the clock to get it added in time for me to officially start on October 26th.  I received word Thursday that all of my paperwork had made it to Nashville (that is where TN Teacher Licensing is located) and was just waiting for approval, assuming it is approved. So currently, my fate rests in the hand of a guy named Brandon in Nashville.  He is the one who decides if they will add my middle school certification to my TN license.  If he says yes, it's all good. But if he says no, I cannot keep this position.  I am on pins and needles, waiting to hear the answer. I of course hope he says yes because I am LOVING this position already and do not want to lose it!

   

Back to school...

 Although "Back to School" time happens for most people in August, mine is beginning this year in October.  I kind of like the change up. :o)

  Tomorrow I kind of officially/unofficially start my new job. Although, the class is not mine until after Fall Break (the 26th), I will be going in for the rest of this week to kind of "shadow" the teacher that is there now.  This way I can kind of get to know the routine and how things are done.  

  I am excited of course, but also nervous.  I hate being "the new kid."  I much prefer getting settled in and just knowing what to do.  I am sure everyone does.  I am looking forward to this new adventure, where I think  I will be very happy, but beginning is always the hardest part.

  As I do every year though, I will breathe deep, listen to some "Billie Jean" on the way to school to get pumped up and walk in like I know exactly what is going on!

Misty's Couponing Class

    Upon writing my last entry about my love of couponing, it occurred to me that maybe I should share about my sister's couponing class.

    My sister, Misty Willhoit has decided to put on a couponing class of her own. She found that she was constantly telling people about the great deals she found,how she did it, etc, that she decided to just hold a small class to give people the basics.  She will be giving an overview of how to begin couponing as well as  talking in depth about drug stores and how to work those so that you pay very little to nothing for stuff you need.

   The class will be on October 10, 2009 from 9 am-11 am.  The will be held at the Country Place restaurant on Shallowford Rd.  Registration is $20 and includes the following-a notebook (to help you get started organizing) , a copy of the Sunday newspaper, and a copy of the newest All You magazine.  If you want to register, feel free to email me at britt224@me.com.

Hope to see you there!!!!

Publix today

 Today I went to Publix.  It was a picture-taking kind of day.  Here is the picture of what I got.

Here is the list of what I got:

4 boxes of cereal

6 boxes of Hamburger Helper

1 ox of Cheez-Its

1 loaf of bread

2 bags of Chex mix

1 bag of frozen biscuits

6 cans of soup

4 cans of refried beans

4 large jars of pasta sauce

1 shopping bag

4 boxes of Green Giant frozen veggies

and 44, yes, 44 containers of yogurt.

The grand total was $48.59!!!  I came in under my weekly budget of $50.00!

This is a total of 56%!  

I just love coupons!!

Today's Interviews

   So today was the day of my two teaching interviews. I was very excited for today's events. I had a Kindergarten and 5th grade interview at two different places.  I went in being much more excited about the 5th grade than the K position, but I left just the opposite. I am really hoping now to get that Kindergarten position. 

   When I first moved to teaching second grade, it was because I felt that the Kindergartners were just a little too small for me.  However, I have recently had a change of heart. Not that I would mind teaching the older ones-there are great things about that too.  But things with the small ones are just so basic. And I love that. Letter sounds, numbers, color words. So much fun!

   I think the bottom line is that I will be ok with any grade I should get at this point. I would, however, be extra excited if the Kinder position was granted to me.  I loved the school. It was beautiful and the both the principal and assistant principal were so nice!    I am not sure when they are supposed to be making their choices, but I hope it is soon. Waiting isn't exactly my forte!

Things are becoming clearer...

    These are counting bears.  They represent who I am in a way.  You see, these are used in schools to teach all kinds of things-counting, patterns, sorting, etc.  I love these bears.  I have used them for a TON of lessons. They are my go to.  These help fuel my love for teaching-the kids love them, I love them.

    I have been on a quest to figure out what I need to be doing in life.  I taught school, then left that, only to discover it is what I should be doing after all.  So, I began the task of finding a teaching job after the year had started-one I was not sure would bring me much luck.  

   Not only did it bring me some luck, it brought me more than I thought. I have two interviews for a teaching position tomorrow-and they could not be any more different! One is 5th grade, mostly Caucasian kids, teaching Language arts with 2 classes-one of boys and one of girls.  The other is teaching Kindergarten, all subjects, with a class of mostly African-American students. Wow!  

   I tell ya though, I am just so excited for tomorrow, I'm not sure I can sleep! Well, that may be a bit much...I can always sleep! :o) Either way though, I am so happy for these opportunities!