Sobremesa Stories

Letting stories unfold around the table

Five on Friday: First Week Of School DONE!

By

Oh my heavens, all teachers know that there is no tired like first week of school teacher tired (all you mamas are probably rolling your eyes, but since we don’t have kiddos, this week is all I know of T-I-R-E-D!).  It was a crazy but fun week as we started settling back into a rhythm of work and life again.  I’m definitely happy to be back though, and can’t wait for all this year has in store!

  1. Getting My Classrooms Set Up

Since I travel between two schools (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), and I moved rooms at one school/had my room painted and had to take everything down at the other school, I had TWO rooms to get ready for students.  While I may not have the spiritual gift of bulletin board decorating like some teachers, I still had fun throwing some posters, flags, and other goodies on the wall to make things a little more colorful.   I wish I had more time/money to spend to make this space sparkle, but for now, I’m feeling pretty good about it!

Friday Classroom Before After

Before & after of one of my rooms!

2) Meeting My Students

Since it’s back to school week, teaching gets TWO points on this lovely Friday! One of my favorite things about the first week back is getting to meet my students and spend a week “winning them over,” as I described it to my husband.  I love spending the first week doing everything I can to communicate to students that I care about them, that I value who they are not only as students, but as people.  We play games to learn each other’s names and break down walls, I share pictures and stories from my own life, and I share my $20 bill illustration that teaches them about the fact that no matter what anyone says, they have value.  Teaching middle school is hard and there are a million parts of it that challenge me every day.   Our superintendent said at our annual convocation that as teachers, we are “positioned for purpose,” and I am so grateful for this chance to love on middle schoolers for another year.

Teach Students They Have Value Student at Window

3) Evening Walks With My Favorites

Jordan is loving his new high school teaching job so far and we are so grateful for his chance to work in a building and setting he loves.  He’s also continued to coach cross-country, which means he leaves for morning practice at 5:45 AM and arrives home from afternoon practice around 5:45 PM.  I’m proud of how hard he works at both these jobs, but it’s definitely an adjustment not to see his face soon after I get home from school! We did still have some fun evenings together this week, including a fun chance to take our sweet puppy to the park for a little adventure on a beautiful, rare, 73 degree August night.  I’m grateful for slow moments with my favorites and the ways those slow moments add up to a pretty wonderful life.

Friday Evening Walks

4) My Favorite Chicken Salad Recipe

Hubby has been begging me to make this for MONTHS, and I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get around to it! Maybe all the chopping involved, or maybe I’m just lazy.  Anyway, this recipe from Damn Delicious is one of our favorites and we usually double or triple it so we can eat it all week long.  At this point, I don’t even really need the recipe anymore and just throw some shredded chicken, Greek yogurt, cranberries, chopped apples, red onions, grapes, almonds, and lemon juice in a bowl, mix it all up, and eat it straight from the bowl! So good and full of yummy fruits and protein.  You’ve got to try it!

5) Looking For Books: Help Needed!

Y’all, I am feeling the need to read some more good books.  It’s been a while since I did much reading, and I’m craving some good faith/heart/life books to stretch me and make me laugh or cry or just escape for a while.  Anyone have any tips? I’ve seen so many people recommend Emily Freeman’s latest, It’s Simply Tuesday, so that one is definitely on my list.  Have you read anything lately you’d recommend or do you have any classics you’ve always loved? Please share the love!

Simply Tuesday Emily Freeman

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! Enjoy some sweet time with the people (and puppies) you love!

Head over to  A. Liz Adventures, Fitting It All In, Life in Leggings, Grace and Love Blog, Momfessionals Friday Favorites, and Running 4 Cupcakes for more Friday favorites!


facebookicon  twittericon  pinteresticon  googleplus icon Click to email me

SIGN UP TO GET OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER WITH POSTS AND OTHER FUN UPDATES!



Sign up to get our weekly newsletter with post updates and other goodies.

No spam guarantee.


Comments

  1. I’m not sure I could be a teacher but teaching middle school sounds like it would be fun!! Such a great age!!

  3. For The Love by Jen Hatmaker just came out this week and I really want to read it! If you’d be into that book, maybe we could round up a couple others and all read it together? And then a dinner a few weeks/month later to discuss?

  4. Two schools? Holy smokes, girl! You are wonder woman! Glad to hear that you had a good first week back! It takes a special person to teach middle school! You clearly have the heart for it!

  5. You guys are such an adorable couple!
    Congrats on surviving the first week of school!
    Also, Divine by Karen Kingsbury is my all-time favorite book! Followed by Even Now and Ever After by Karen Kingsbury to be a CLOSE second.

  6. Maybe it’s just this week, because I’m freaking exhausted. Even as I type this, I feel like I need a nap, or something!!

  7. Aw! I love that your actually care about your students! My son is only 4 and starting VPK on Monday but I am so afraid of sending him off to somebody that might now care about him. Thanks for alleviating some of that anxiety. I hope his teacher feels as passionately as you do!

  8. Thanks for all of your hard work as a teacher! I just sent my only child to Kindergarten this week, so we are just starting to experience all of that! And that chicken salad sandwich looks delicious!

  9. Congrats on finishing your first week!! That’s such a huge hurdle. When I was teaching I definitely did NOT have the gift of bulletin-board decorating, so I totally hear you! Also, that chicken salad sounds amazing!! I usually avoid chicken salad because I hate mayo, but I do love Greek yogurt, so this should be a winner! I love making huge meals that we can eat throughout the week. Have a great weekend, girl!
    Brittany Bergman recently posted…Cultivating Gratitude & Sharing Love // 14My Profile