Back to School

The night before the first day of school. I share this post from last August. It' one of my favorite stories.

On the eve of my twelfth year as a classroom teacher I want to share a brief note that was sent to me this evening.

First a little background. Twenty-seven years ago I was beginning my first year as an elementary school teacher. A few weeks into the school year, my assignment changed from teaching 4th grade to teaching Kindergarten. I was out of my comfort zone. I had no prior experience with Kindergarteners.

Twenty-eight little five and six year olds were in my care for six and a half hours a day. With the help of my terrific teacher's aide, Barbara, we somehow muddled through the year.

Teachers never publicly admit to having favorites, but I had a couple of students who were really special. Miss G.J came in each day with a sunny smile and a side ponytail of curly blonde hair. I never forgot her zest for learning.

A year ago, I stumbled upon G.J. on Facebook and sent her a note. She was thrilled to hear from her old kindergarten teacher. We've been keeping up with each other's lives ever since.

Tomorrow, Ms. G.J. begins her career as a teacher. She is very excited and eager to begin. Here is the note she sent me today:

"I was thinking of my first day of kindergarten as I prepared my lesson plans. Thanks for being an awesome teacher who truly made a lasting impression on my life! I pray that I am able to deliver half as good as Ms.Talbert on Tuesday morning:) Xoxo Gj"

That's why I teach...

True Blue

It was my first day back to school and as I looked around the room I was feeling pretty confident.

What a sharp contrast from last year. Seventeen of us survived the first year. We are the minority in a sea of new faces. We are recognized as the warriors; survivors of Year One.

During the our orientation, we were given a "personality test" called Your True Colors. The purpose was to help us not only identify our dominant personality traits, but to use it as another tool to understand our colleagues, administrators and our students.

I am a "Blue" which means that I am highly intuitive and empathetic. I have a strong desire to influence others so they lead more significant lives. I am adept at motivating and interacting with others.

I am "true blue," but I am also highly organized, goal oriented and like to plan ahead. That's Gold, my complementary color. Gold's are also very caring, but tend to keep their emotions in check. Hmmm...

When I began teaching long ago, I was well organized first and caring second. I often hid the deep emotional impact that working with my students had on me.

Many lived in poverty and were often suffering from some form of neglect. My Blue self felt each child's pain, but my Gold self hid those feelings behind a mask of self sufficiency. Sometimes, despite all our efforts, we could not save the child from her circumstances.

I continued to work with these high need students until the day I realized that I was overwhelmed. I was worn out emotionally, and my own infant son was getting a burned out frazzle of a Mommy. I made the decision to take a break.

Sixteen years later I am back on the job, working with similar children. I teach in a poverty stricken area, but the parents try hard to provide their kids with what they need. Some of our students need more than the three R's.

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They need a "Blue" to encourage them, to inspire them. They need someone to care about them. It's why I teach in this place.

My New School Year Resolutions

The waning days of summer....

The kids were up and moving early this morning. Both of them headed to school to get their class schedules, their locker assignments and new ID's. We are all getting closer to the beginning of another school year.

My summer ends on Wednesday when I return for my second year as a teacher of special needs children. It was a good, but very hectic and chaotic first year. We opened a new school in a half completed building with a staff of teachers and administrators who were all new to their respective jobs.

I learned a lot. Education has changed so much in the 16 years I spent away from the field. Though many things are different, some aspects of teaching remain the same. Reflecting back on my stress filled year, I have decided I need to make some changes.

The beginning of the year is a good time to instill some good habits in order to remain healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Here are a few of my "new school year resolutions."

1. I will make the time to write each day.

I will not use the stress of a long workday as an excuse not to blog daily. It's my creative outlet and a great counterbalance to the paperwork I encounter everyday.

2.I will find the time to exercise daily.

I need the physical release to counteract the long hours on my feet, and the mental calm a long walk or yoga brings to my frazzled thoughts.

3.I will treat the drama that often surrounds me as a poisonous plant.

I may gaze upon it, but I refuse to touch it. Some people thrive on a diet of continuous theatrics and commotion. I find it emotionally draining.

4. I will set aside some quiet, meditative time each day.

In order to recharge and effectively shift gears between my two full time jobs (teaching and my family); I need sit quietly with myself. It will create a calm and peaceful center. And it will keep me from feeing as if I am juggling a bunch of spinning plates.

I'll check in from time to time and let you know how it's going.

Creative Discipline

This is my 100th blog post since beginning this project over a year ago.

I haven't always been faithful. There were long pauses between thoughts, especially last fall-winter. I was kind of busy trying to stay afloat in the sea of confusion that defined my job most of the year.

So, this summer I wanted to make some changes: more exercise, more mindful eating, more creative outlets to balance the lack of creativity that comes with teaching to state mandated standards.


I decided in July that I would give myself a challenge; write everyday. I don't mean just blog everyday, but to also get back into the habit of journalling regularly.

I find that I need the daily discipline as much as I crave the creative outlet. I've have a deep desire to get all of the thoughts crowding my brain, clamoring for attention down on a page. It's a driving need that helps me stay balanced and sane.


So far, so good. I have blogged religiously for the last 22 days and I have recorded my thoughts in my journal, too.

I found a cool app that allows me to write a quick summary of my day, and I am exercising more (walking and yoga), and eating less.

Life is good. But now comes the tricky part-maintaining all these disciplines when the school year begins.

Wish me luck!