Another Update...

Man did I have a day today. When I woke up, I just wanted to go back to sleep and skip that whole school thing. Turns out that's not so easy to do when you are a teacher instead of a student! The kids actually noticed how much I was yawning and kicking myself awake! Even though I probably could have found a couple hours worth of work after a meeting, I got myself out of there real quick to sleep and relax! I know everyone one of you has had one of those days. Has it happened anytime recently??

New quote from a student:
*We were stretching and doing some exercises for their "WOW" time and one little girl stopped and said...
"Ms. Lisee, you're really stretchable!" (I'm thinking she meant flexible, but oh so cute!)

Classroom view

So I have an awesome view from my classroom! I have one large window and you can see downtown from it! On a clear day, you can even see the UT tower. These pictures weren't really taken on the best day, but they do show that I have an awesome location! I am realizing how exhausting teaching can be. I have actually started drinking soda in order to get a pick-me-up to help me through the exceptionally long days. It doesn't help that I haven't really been sleeping that well either. I am in the process of scheduling parent teacher conferences which I am Oh so excited for. However, I am very excited that Zeb will be visiting her dear old sister in just a couple weeks! Can't wait Zebba! To end this post I will put a response that one of my students said after another student asked "What is a Democrat?"

Response: "A democrat is a black man and a republican is a white man running against him"

Me: "Well, I can see why you might think that, but that's not really the definition for every democrat and republican....etc"

Doesn't this make you wonder what kinds of things children hear and think?

3 weeks down...a whole lot more to go

Wow, I cannot believe it has been 3 weeks of teaching. I have been sick for about 2 of those. I finally went to the doctor believing I had Strep, but apparently it was just a wicked virus combined with some pretty heavy chest congestion. The medicine is helping tremendously so I'm thinking it might have been bacterial as well. It was weird going to the doctor with my own personal medical insurance (and I think I have way better than you do, Mom!) I have had "Back to School Night" or "Open House" as some call it. The parents of my students are just as awesome as all my kids are. The actual teaching is not stressing me out. The organization, time management, and sickness are what stresses me out. I loved having the chance to go home to visit family after my first week, but I don't think I will make it back again until Thanksgiving. I try to have a life on weekends at least, but usually I spend one night just sleeping to catch up on what I've lost over the week. I have been told I will be sick for this whole first year, but if you are reading this, please pray that I will be the exception to that rule for first year teachers! I miss everyone and hope you are doing well!

First Day Jitters

Well, I had my first day today! I did get my first literal "fruit" apple today, Dad! One of the boys in my class brought me a red apple first thing in the morning! My kids are really sweet. We got a lot done in the morning and not as much in the afternoon because my schedule is kind of choppy due to lunch and special areas. I loved getting more information on the kids. As much as I'm nervous for the upcoming year (for being responsible for 22 young lives), I want to do as much as I can to benefit these children. It's inspiring, which is a good thing to feel at this point! I got hugs at the end of the day and even throughout the day. It actually went by pretty fast, so I can't wait too see what tomorrow holds. There is a link to the book that I read aloud today, First Day Jitters, in the title of my post. The book is so cute and absolutely perfect for a new teacher. I am so lucky to be at the school I am at, work with the teachers on my team, and try to touch the kids who no doubt will brighten my life!

Classroom!

Here are some pictures from my classroom. I added the kids names next to the brown sheets of paper on the bulletin board under "knowledge is power". It looks a lot better with the names next to each sheet. I got to meet most of my kids tonight and their parents because it was "Meet the teacher" night where they get to come in, unload their supplies, and meet me! Out of the 22 in my class, only 3 did not show up! It sounds like I have some great kids along with some equally great parents! I'm so excited and a little less terrified than I have been! We will see how this week goes! I still have to plan everything I am doing my first week because I have so many ideas! If anyone has a suggestion or idea for what I should read aloud to the kids on the first day or just general ideas for the classroom, please feel free to post!

P.S. - I owe a belated thank you to my cuz, Andre! I loved the birthday thing and I miss you!

Here I go...

Well, I start new teacher orientation tomorrow morning bright and early. I have heard from pretty much every person I have talked to that it is quite possibly the most boring and pointless week I will experience. Yea for me! I will post pictures of my classroom soon. Mom was nice enough to drive down to Austin and stay for like 3 days helping me! I have decided I will be the Lisee Lions next year! It's all happening so fast that it still sort of feels surreal. I'm sure all of you will get a panicked, incoherent phone call from me sometime in the next month. Congratulations to Zeb for fielding the first call already! I will try to keep this updated as best as I can!

Long time...no blog

So it has been forever since I last blogged, but I was kind of boring. A lot of the time was spent sun tanning, playing games, hanging out with family, and shopping. I am now moved back to Austin and living in my new apartment by myself! It is also my birthday today! Yea! I get to have a lazy morning, then hang out with friends in the afternoon, go to a comedy performance, and then downtown with friends! I will try to keep up with the blogging from now on!