December 31, 2013

My Teaching Trousseau

Hi friends!
Mama Mindy here borrowing the keyboard for some year-ending thoughts and considerations.

First off, a big happy birthday to my sister, Kaycee (Auntie Kaycee to the puggums).

Now...on  to the topic at hand.

As you all know by now, I am going to be an elementary school teacher.  I have completed my first semester as a "Junior"...starting January 22nd, I begin my "Block 1" courses.  Those of you who are teachers understand that Block 1 is a "commitment"...it is saying "You have not scared me off from this profession and I am signing on to finish my education in this profession..." Of which, the education is never finished...not if you are a good teacher. :)

I have begun accumulating, almost like a crazy lady, items for my classroom.

I believe I have every game that has been created...or enough to hold about 5 large tubs.  That should keep them entertained...right?? 

Literally, my basement is starting to look like a storage unit...

I am reading the latest literature on classroom management and stimulating young brains (sounds like I am literally massaging brains in a scientific experiment, doesn't it?)...

I have A LOT invested in this future career marriage...after all, I am fully committed to see it through its end...which will be my death...(hopefully not soon)...as I do not see myself retiring...although a year of sabbatical might be thought of...I doubt I would take it. :)

After all of my typing, I wanted to ask...for those of you that were/are teachers and those of you that were taught (I hope everyone has been accounted for?!? Yes?)....

For those of you who are teaching or have taught, is there anything in the classroom that you absolutely would consider a must-have for the first year of teaching? (Besides love of children...I know that is the main ingredient...but I'm building my trousseau here...yes...I'm talking materialistism...)

For those of you who were taught, what is something that you loved about school or an item in the classroom that you remember to this day stimulating your imagination and helping you have a break-through moment?

I want to be effective...To be effective, I need to have LOVE (which includes a knowledge of my students and their needs as well as an emotional affect) for my students, great CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT (which will take care of most, if not all, disciplinary issues), and in my opinion, a variety of TOOLS of all different disciplines.

Please provide any information that you think would be valuable to me as I appreciate your responses. 

Much Love,
Mindy :)



16 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my as we have no experience of teaching anything we say we doubt would be of any help. However we sincerely wish you well. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly

Linda said...

May all your dreams come true in 2014.


Happy New Year.

xo Cinnamon

Mollie said...

Have a super happy New Year.. Pop by our Firewek'z.

Load'z of Hug'z

Mollie and Alfie

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

MAGNETS... Lots of MAGNETS... and PLASTI-TAC (the BLUE Kind only)
Your OWN Electric Pencil Sharpener.
9 or 10 Storage Boxes... One fur each month.. to put Holiday/Seasonal Decorations and read aloud books in.
Shel Silverstein's Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends
Mom could NOT have lived without THOSE thingys.

Random Felines said...

happy 2014!! we know you will be a great teacher...good luck

Two French Bulldogs said...

I have a feeling your are going to be the best...good for you!
Lily

The Daily Pip said...

No experience with teaching, but I wish you the absolute best of luck! I'm sure you will do great!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

We think you will make a wonderful teacher!
love
tweedles

Marg said...

Mindy, I have done a lot of teaching but in horseback riding and it sure sounds like you have all the right ingredients. Just remember that the students are all going to be individuals and so need different things. Sounds like you are going to be a good teacher.
A very Happy New year to you.

Soggibottom said...

I think I would make sure that I packed a huge amount of patience to take with me. Good luck with your adventure :-) Looks like you are going to have a very busy, but HAPPY NEW YEAR :-) x x x

Soggibottom said...

Happy New Year :-) x x x

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year and hope it's packed full of lots of treats, toys, good health, and lots of happiness!

:)

♥Mona + Prissy + Angel Weenie♥ said...

Happy New Year dearest friends!!

2014 has gotta be a better year for all of us.

We love ya all so much.

♥♥♥Mona, Prissy & Mommy too!!

Asta said...

Fiwst, let me wish all puggums and kittehs and hoomans a vewy Happy and healthy new Yeaw!
Second, what lucky students to have you as a footoowe teachew. Mommi says, hew bestest teachews payd attenshun to evewy kid and made hew feel excited and intewested by theiw enthoosiasm. We know you'll be wondewful

Smoochie kisses
Asta

Idaho PugRanch said...

Happy New Year dear friends!
Hugs
Bailey, Hazel &Greta

Archie and Melissa said...

oh mindy!

you are going to be the best teacher in the whole world!

you are a natural teacher!


i am so excited for and proud of you!

xoxoxo
you are a very specialperson!

xoxoxo
melissa