bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils.

• "You've Got Mail" is one of my all-time favorite chick-flicks. It stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, features a relationship based on correspondence, and its first scene features New York City in the fall...I mean, what's not to love? 
  
  One of my favorite quotes from the movie is this: 
  "Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." 
  For some reason, it gets me every time.
  
  Anywho...
  
  We just started a new school year, and I'm very excited for this new season. I have upgraded to teaching 6th grade this year, and I'm returning to my favorite subjects- Reading and Language Arts. I am partnering with the best teammates...ever. Seriously. Thankfully I get to teach some of my students from last year again, so the relationship between teacher and student is already sweet.
  I am truly blessed to teach at the school I work, under the administration I have, and alongside the colleagues I work alongside everyday.
  
  In prepping for this year, I believe prayer is one of the most essential portions of this preparation. 
  
  I am praying each and every day that God would use me for that day, that moment, that time. 
  
  "Your will for today, Father. That's what I seek."
  
  Below is a poem/prayer I found online. I usually think prewritten prayers are cheesy and not genuine, to be honest. However, I can totally feel the words behind this prayer.
  
  Following the poem are photos of my new classroom. I apologize that they are a bit dark; they were taken in the early hours of the morning before students arrived for the first day of school. 
  
  Enjoy the photos, and please say a prayer for the lives that will enter this classroom on a daily basis.
  
  
  "Thank you, God, for I am a teacher. As a teacher, I have the power to educate, to inspire, to challenge, to comfort, to reassure, to ennoble. The scope of my influence is incalculable; each of my students leaves my classroom changed in some way by what I did and said. Through those students, I have the power to change the world.
  Thank you for entrusting me with that responsibility. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I love. Thank you, too, for providing those things that enabled me to love what I do. Thank you for the administrator who trusted my judgment and supported my decisions -- no matter whoquestioned them.
• the parents who faithfully showed up for parent-teacher conferences -- to listen, to communicate, to cooperate.
• the surprise assembly that held my students' interest -- and got me off my feet.
• the substitute who, without complaint, turned sometimes sketchy plans into exciting lessons.
• the student who struggled but refused to give up.
• the creative teammate who freely shared her best ideas.
• the party at which no self-described wit expounded on my "high pay and short hours."
• the student who suddenly "got it."
• the days with no surprises.
• the student who knew more about technology than I did.
• the unexpected absence of my most disruptive student.
• the specials who provided activities that supported my curriculum.
• the colleague who covered my class for five minutes so I could run to the restroom.
• the practical in-service session that held my interest.
• the competent aide who gave me time to teach.
• the volunteers who baked cupcakes, chaperoned field trips, and provided enrichment activities.
• the colleague who swappped recess duty -- or cafeteria duty or bus duty -- when I absolutely, positively had to have a few minutes to myself.
• the unexpected holiday.
• anyone who -- at any time, for any reason -- remembered to say "Thank you for being a good teacher!"
• http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/columnists/starr_points/starr031.shtml
•