When Given Lemons, I Make Them Into Lemonade

I found this quote and fell in love. Literally. It stirred my heart reminding me of how blessed I am with seeing my dream come true everyday starting at 7:50am when my nine year olds walk into my classroom.

"The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?” To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?” Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make? Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube, or movie rental... You want to know what I make?” I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America. Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. “Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant...You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?”- Nancy Turner

Gives you chills? If it doesn't, then I don't know what will. Maybe the challenge of trying on a pair of teaching shoes would.

Favorite Quote So Far This Year: "Miss Chambers, you REALLY need to work on getting a husband. You aren't going to have that pretty face forever."

Life Lately

6 more weeks until I start my second year of teaching. I know that might sound like a long time but based on my life experience, I blink just once and months at time have passed and I think to myself, where did all of the time go?

This summer, I've learned how to appreciate how wonderful it is to know my job placement more than a week ahead of time before the school year started. Yesterday, I ventured to Mardel's and witnessed the gloriousness of teacher decorating/school supplies fully stocked with an assortments beyond my greatest imagination. I felt like I was six years old again in a candy story trying to decide between gummy worms, peanut butter m&m's or hot tamales. They are also having a sale on Thursday for teachers. Miss Bartz and myself are going back to do our damage.

Another note about the appreciation of knowing what my career looks like next year, I have put together a poster of myself when I was in fourth grade. I had planned to do this last summer but time got cut short so I told myself I would have it ready for the next year.

I apologize for the glare on the picture, but I think you get the idea of what I was trying to get across. By each photo, I wrote the things that I loved back when I was ten years old and laughed when I found out that many of those things are still some of my loves at twenty three!

Last week at camp, I came home feeling horrible. I winced every time that I was swallowed that day so I headed to the doctor and found out that I was running a fever and had strep throat. I took the following day off from camp, sleep 13 hours that night and tried my best to relax even though that is not my nature to do so. When I came back to the following day, my campers had made me handmade get well soon cards.

How many co-workers in offices do you think would make cards like this when someone was out sick? Not very likely. All the more reason why I love my profession. :)

Excited

I'm a sucker for getting excited about the little things in life. I squeal when my dad says he wants to go get ice cream, delighted when someone calls for an unexpected adventures that turns into the most fun thing ever and pat myself on the back when I have enough time in the morning to get a drink at Sonic, and my new fav, a template named "Claire." De-light.

I love summer. People tell me how I'm an "adult" but really, I planned my future to revolve around having summer vacations forever. Free time and being able to bask in the glory of what summer entails (sunscreen, shorts, outdoor music, apple pie, sleeping in), I have also learned how Type A I really am and how I looove structure in my life. I love a routine, something that I can follow and lay in bed at night and think I have accomplished alot in the day. Most people probably think I'm crazy. But everyone loves a little crazy in their life otherwise they wouldn't be anything fun. :)

After teaching trainings, I have gained back my title as "Dance Off" and began working at the y again this summer as a cooking expertise (sorta) and art extraordinaire. Art has always been a favorite subject of mine so I love telling kids about it.

It's so interesting to see how different kids are in the summer vs. the school year. They are so laid back, go with the flow, without a care in the world. I wish school wasn't so stressful and we could have this mind set forever but then we would enjoy summer as much I think.

I'm running a 5K with Shay in a few weeks and am stoked. We are going to be the sassiest/hottest runners ever during the Christmas in July run. I'm also craving to get back to my classroom and making it picture perfect for next year. My brain should be turned off and relaxing but I have 6,000 ideas that I learned from last year that I want to implement this year and I want to start doing them!!!!

Best of Collection

Friday, June 4th marked the end of my first year journey as a 4th grade teacher. Still trying to process it. What a challenging and eye opening experience it was. One of my favorite things of the year was the funny things that my 4th graders would ask me or state so I decided to put together a "best of" collection of some of my favorite highlights.

Boy: "Miss Chambers, how do you walk in shoes like that? Girl: "It's because Miss Chambers is a lady."

Student: "I know another synonym. Miss Chambers and pretty."

Student: "I know that I might be strange, but girls are just looney. Just look at them, all they do is TALK!"

Student: "Miss Chambers, have you looked into having kids soon? I think you should really consider getting married. You would be a funny wife."

Student: "Miss Chambers, I don't want to run around at recess because then I will become moist."

Student: "When you are in Kindergarten, you are a boy but when you get to fourth grade, you are finally a man."

Student: "Miss Chambers, I just wanted to let you know that I'm really weird and you are just going to have to deal with it."

Student: "Miss Chambers, can I borrow your high heels so I can do the Single Ladies dance during recess?"

Student: "Miss Chambers, why do you wear those pointy high shoes? Do they help you teach?"

Me: "I have some news to tell yall." Student A: "OMGOSH, Miss Chambers!!!! Are you pregnant?!?!?" (Roaring Laughter across the room. Student B: "Miss Chambers, can't be pregnant. She hasn't gotten married yet." Student C: "Plus, Miss Chambers's stomach doesn't stick out. It's still flat so she can't be pregnant." All my news was that we are having a quiz on Friday and THIS is what happens

A Trip Down Memory Lane

One year ago tomorrow, I walked across the stage at the Ferrell Center, moved my tassel to the left and thought to myself, "When did I become an adult?"



Now...


I'm a 4th grade teacher! Here is a picture my team and I a few weeks back. Too bad we didn't get a picture of us when we were dressed up for the Children's Book Parade. We would have a Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Ms. Frizzle, and of course, Angelina Ballerina.... :)

I couldn't be happier or more blessed than I have been these last 12 months. My life has been a roller coaster of transitioning but I have loved every moment of it. It can't get much better than this. :)

It's a Ninja Turtles Name

Blog Dilemma.

I can't remember the name of my old password and it's connected to my old Baylor email that doesn't exists anymore so here's to a new blog! Hopefully I will be better at composing on it.

Today, my students tackled the infamous taks test (or Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) for you non-Texans out there. I went to the office this morning to pick up my tub of taks essentials from my school counselor and our principal, Mr. Gonzales stopped by to tell her that a 4th grader was going to be late today. Mrs. Smith asked him what his name was and he said, "Leonardo." She replied, "There are no Leonardo's in fourth grade." Mr. G then said, "His name is like a Ninja Turtle, that's how I remembered it." I spoke up and said, "Is it Rafael?" They both looked at me and said, "YES!" I think explained how at Baylor, I had dressed up as Rafael with a homemade shell, wristbands and all, and they both burst out laughing. I've learned that my random adventures of the past have helped throughout my life, such as this moment.

While my students worked diligently on their test, I took the time to think and reflect over the year. Prior to signing the contract with Frisco, Mr. Gonzales, my soon to be principal, called me to have an interview for a possible opening that he might have at Christie. I excitedly practiced interview questions, wore a killer dress, brought a dozen resumes, my teacher work sample, confidence and a dash of hope to the interview. After I left, Mr. Gonzales got the okay from the district that he could hire someone for his 4th grade team, called me, I screamed, thanked him a few dozen times, arrived the following Monday too excited for words and here I am, sitting in my classroom with my kids. God's fingertips were all over this journey. He has taught me so much about myself and my ability to persevere when I stubbornly don't want to. His plan has always far exceeds what my mind could wrap around thinks is best. What a miraculous thing. I should not be so stubborn more often. :)