Holman's new job!!

 Holman graduated high school early so that he could go on his mission when he turns 18. He turns 18 in December so he has several months to work to save money for it. He applied to probably at least 20 jobs and nothing was progressing until finally he got hired at DQ. He is following in his sister's footsteps chasing the ice cream dollar! His aunt Lindsey has enjoyed taking pictures of him. 

Penny Wars...the fun stuff

 Things I love about my new school:

1) The size of my classroom. It's huge. And it has lots of natural light.

2) Shared lesson plans. All four kindergarten teachers literally have a connected lesson plan book. I don't have to write lessons!!! I just alter them a bit. It truly is a game changer.

3) The curriculum. I love Saxxon match. It's clear and concise. It provides the homework and the pacing. It's awesome. I also love that they have the students memorize recitations. They seem like really difficult passages but the students really do rize to the occasion.  I also love that during snack I read a chapter from a children's book. The book is obviously more advanced than what the can read but it helps them to be exposed to more vocabulary words.

4) My kindergarten team is full of lovely ladies. Each of us are just trying our best. 

5) I also really enjoy the creative aspect of teaching in general. We recently had a penny war. This means each class tries to raise money with pennies and dollar bills. Each class can sabotage another class with putting silver coins in other classes jars.  I decorated the jar with minions saying "banana fund". The kis loved it! And frankly I loved making it!

With all  these lovely reminders of what's great about my new job these are the things that contribute teachers leaving the profession.

1) increasing number of behavioral problems. Whether that's due to lack of socialization because of COVID or increased number of ADHD...these numbers have increased which makes an already emotionally demanding job even harder.

2) this follows the next point we don't pay teachers enough. Anyone who thinks teachers have it easy need to spend a day in class. I invited one of my student's parents to see how their child interacts all day. She didn't make it for even two hours. I said this has been a relatively easy day with you here....she dropped him off the next day.

3) the bottom line. We bend over backwards for one difficult student and the rest of the class is collateral. Every child deserves an education but not every education facility is appropriate for everyone. In the mean time I'm pulling my hair out. At the end of the day the primary teacher has no control over who is allowed to stay in the classroom. It is beyond frustrating.

 

First week of school August 1st

 Adrian started school on Monday, I started school on Wednesday (with the kids I've been at training for a week and a half) and Parkin started on Thursday. 

Adrian is at Hermosa Montessori. If you ask her how it's going she will say, "it's middle school" ....she finished her week by doing boat races in her school's pool.  Boats that can float people. That's right her school has a pool! Don't worry she has spunk and made sure to sink the boat of a  bully...while  he was on it..This one's got fight in  her!

Parkin is a sophomore at Sabino. He is in advanced drama and sign language and a really difficult math 😅 Owen Smith is a Freshman and Jared Howe is a Senior.  So awesome to have cousins at school!! He is also on the school's swim team. 

I started teaching at Leman Academy as a half day kindergarten teacher. I love leaving at 12:30. Its only been a week but so far the kiddos are super respectful. I have one student that literally might be the death of me, I hope he gets the services he needs. This will be my 13th year teaching, not sure how many more years I have left but will hopefully give the kids my all. 

This is a painting I did at the classical education model.

Weekend with the Smith kids

Having cousins in town is the absolute best! Swimming in a pool while it fills, face painting and wash walking. Summer days in Tucson at it's finest.

 

Slay Queen July 17th

This girl is a creative genius. She paints her walls, creates small miniatures and is constantly in motion. She brought in a spare desk and now she has even more space for her creations. I love this teenager and her artsy mind 🎨 💕 !!

 

July 14th lunch at Camp Zion

My parents are serving a mission at Camp Zion!! It is an awesome calling a perfect marriage of my parents strengths. Dad fixes everything and my mom welcomes all the campers and sets up service projects. I called up Lindsey to ask if she wanted to grab lunch and go up to camp and have lunch with our parents.... because we can do that now that Lindsey is in town!! She did! Mom made this sign to greet us. I literally called her that morning 😂

Mom and Dad's beloved Gator, John Deer

 

July 12th Swim team championships!!

Another great season of the Tiger sharks!!

The kids swam their hearts out! 

Adrian got 2nd overall in Butterfly, 3rd in Freestyle and 5th in the individual medley. She placed 3rd  overall in the entire league...even though her relay teams are full of beginner swimmers. She was the high point winner for the 11-12 girls on our team.

Parking swam butterfly, breast and the IM and both relays. He was the anchor for the boys 15-18 freestyle relay.  He was the high point winner for boys 15-18 for our team

Holman swam valiantly despite his terrible concussion from the fall. It was an absolute test of his fortitude getting up and working out even though he hasn't felt close to 100%. He swam the backstroke, butterfly, freestyle and both relays. He brought points to the team and finished strong.