Wednesday, February 13, 2008

My Second Home

This is my 3rd year teaching 5th grade Language Arts and Reading. I see about 55 students everyday for an intense lesson on subject and predicate parts, superlative and comparative adjectives, and how to add tone and voice to a piece of writing. I really do that and much more every day to meet Arkansas teaching standards. I love teaching. When I was seven years old, I knew God's will for my life was to teach. I love the kids, yes, but I really love the written and spoken language. While teaching the ABC's doesn't do much for me, teaching inferencing and personification really does! Today, the entire Middle School staff met in my classroom after school for a meeting, so last night, I moaned and whined about how some of my posters had fallen off the walls. Ticky-tack! Ugghhhh!!! David said he would love to come out and help me restick a few posters, and I was so hapy he wanted to go! He hangs out in my room a few nights a month and we have the best time talking about our favorite genres and laughing at him trying to guess the answers to my morning start up questions. I love my job to the point where I really don't see myself ever quitting. I hate to say I never will, just in case, but it is nothing I forsee. When I teach, I know it sounds corny, but I feel such a sweet spirit. I am more than positive that I am right where our Heavenly Father wants me to be! There is not one place more in the world where I feel so intuned with God's will for my life. The meeting today went great. It felt like a tight squeeze having all teachers, 5th-8th grades, but we fit! So, come on in and have a look around. This is where I spend my 7:45-3:30, Monday through Friday and then some!







































35 comments:

  1. I love seeing your classroom! It reminds me of your craft room!

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  2. As a former teacher's assistant, your room is like heaven!! I've been following your blog for a while now and I must say yours is one of the best out there! Can't wait to see what you got for V-Day!! Unless you can't divulge that kind of info!! Ha-Ha!! Hope you have a fun Valentine's Day!

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  3. I loved seeing pics of your classroom! I didn't teach for long before I decided to stay home with my kiddos, but I loved it! I don't know about in AR, but here in LA the teachers buy just about everything in their room! I think that is what most people don't know. I spent SO much money getting my room ready and now everything is in the attic. Before I taught, I had no idea.I'm glad you love teaching so much! I know you are a wonderful teacher!

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  4. You are the ultimate teacher Jessica! What I wouldn't give to have my kids (whenever that comes!) in your class. You LOVE what you do and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are a fabulous teacher. Thank you for the reminder that God calls us to our professions.

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  5. I love it and you amaze me. I never remember having one teacher that made an impact on me or ever showed Christ. I am serious. I had bad memories of it all and I was a good student. All that is to say you have such an important job you never know what some of these kids are going through at home!!

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  6. ps tell your man to bring it on the connect four! LOL I saw it in the background!

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  7. So fun to see! Thank goodness for dedicated teachers like you!

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  8. Your room is so perfectly organized. What a great classroom!

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  9. It's rare for someone to really love their job. I am very happy for you! You've put a smile on my face tonight.

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  10. VERY cute classroom! Your students are so blessed to have a teacher like you--I know that your enthusiasm and love for what you do must make some difficult topics come to life for them!

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  11. I never had such a great classroom when I was in school. I love how you put your own touch in with the animal print pillows and the reading corner is so homey with the comfy chairs and coffee table. So cute! How lucky your students are to have a teacher that loves their job. I know you are making such a difference in those little lives!

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  12. Ahhhh-brings back memories! I am a former teacher. I stay home with my babies now and love it. With my daughter in Kindergarten, its fun being on the other side of the classroom door--room mother duties, parties, projects, etc... When I taught I loved trying to make my room look cute and inviting--you sure did a great job at that!! Your students are lucky to have you!

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  13. Awesome room! I love it!

    You won't believe this but I have that same bulletin board set! All my 'goodies' are packed up right now since I am home with Shelby though.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  14. I love your classroom! It is so cute and fabulously organized!

    That is such an awesome feeling to know that you are right where the Lord wants you to be! I can totally relate! I feel the same way when I work at the hospital! We both have great professions where we can show Christ to those around us!

    I just love your sweet spirit!

    Thanks for sharing your classroom!! Have a great day!!

    Love,
    Charity

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  15. I LOVE YOU CLASSROOM!!!!! YOUR READING AREA LOOKS LIKE A GREAT PLACE TO HANG OUT! i BET THEY LOVE YOU SOOOOOO MUCH. tHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING!!!!!!!!!!!

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  16. Wow, thanks for sharing! It was so fun to take a tour!

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  17. Wow, there is so much time and work in there! I love it!

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  18. You are such an inspiration as a teacher! If I could work it out, we would have Zayde in your class one day!

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  19. Your classroom is really neat...if I had kids I would want you to teach them. BTW, I still talk to my high school English teacher...LOL!!!

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  20. I love it! Your classroom is so organized, just like your craft room. I am an extremely organized person and it used to distract me so much when I had a teacher that was really unorganized and had stuff everywhere. I love the little stickers on their desks that say "I'm glad you're here!" I think it is really important at that age to make them feel important. They are going through a big transition, from being a kid to their preteen years!!

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  21. I love the tour of Your classroom!!
    Happy Valentines Day !!

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  22. I love your classroom! I know you are such a good teacher and the children must love you! It's so great that you love what you do so much -that is a gift!

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  23. JESS HURRY AND UNVEIL WHAT WAS IN THAT EARLY VALENTINES SURPRISE!! Cant wait!!

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  24. I love the pics of your classroom. They are such an inspiration for my own!

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  25. I always wanted to be a teacher - I bet you are such a wonderful teacher! Thanks for showing us your second home :)

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  26. I love your classroom! The decor is great!

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  27. Hoiw cute, neat and welcoming. I enjoyed my tour. Thanks for showing me around.
    Hey Jessica-Check my blog either late tonight or in the AM there will be an award waiting for you to be picked up.
    Have a great V day!
    Leigh
    www.lbratina.blogspot.com

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  28. Makes me want to go back! I miss it so. When I define myself, it is still as an educator even though I have been home for 9 years now. Thank goodness for my tutoring business.

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  29. Your classroom is amazing! It looks like a fun place to be. I'm sure you are a fabulous teacher...what a blessing to be right where God wants you...using the gifts that He gave you! I'm thankful for the wonderful teachers I've had over the years.

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  30. Don't you just love teaching? I completely agree with you on I feel this is exactly what God wants me to do with my life. Your room looks so cute! :)

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  31. Your classroom is cute, just like I knew it would be!
    Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  32. I NEVER get tired of school rooms even after being retired for years now! I always loved organizing my room and having everything in its place and ready to go! Your room is fab! When I taught at Prairie Grove we lacked space and my room was the room behind the stage! It's probably not even there now or it's a storage room!

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  33. what a great classroom. i used to teach jr. high students. you have a lovely blog. came here from kelly. i also live in arkansas.

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  34. Love your classroom..really makes me miss teaching!! All of the attention to detail that you put into everything is amazing. The pic of Sharpies on the overhead is really cool.

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  35. I love your classroom!! So many great ideas! I would love to be a student in your class! It almost makes me miss teaching a little bit...almost. You and I would have such fun teaching togehter, I just know it! I really do love teaching and do miss it, I just love being home with my girls. I can always go back one day, right?!:)

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