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
• 
  

Smash.

Did you watch the new NBC show "Smash" this past season? I am not one to get hooked to a TV show, but I became addicted to this show from Episode 1. I was smitten by the beautifully orchestrated music, dreamed of living the New York lifestyle, and was mesmerized by the choreography, the big names (Debra Messing), the captivating voices (Megan Hilty), and yes, especially the drama. This show filled my usually empty Broadway tank on a weekly basis. (I even got the hubs to watch part of a couple episodes with me!)

 Here is a clip form the very first episode. Ivy (Hilty) and Karen (McPhee) are preparing to audition for the leading role of Marilyn Monroe in a hot-off-the-press Broadway musical, "Bombshell". Check it out!

Let Me Be Your Star

With the kick-off of a hot new series revealing the behind-the-scenes life on Broadway, NBC gifted 20 schools across the country with a grant to produce their spring musicals. Did you read that correctly...20 schools in the country...and Oliver Middle School was one of them! We were exhilarated to receive this grant money, and were filled with hope of building a musical department in our middle school!

I co-directed the musical with three other teachers. We each had our areas of expertise, and it was such a beautiful thing to see all our personalities and unique experiences come together as one directional team. 

Although I had never directed a musical before, I've had much experience on the stage. It was both a challenge and a huge thrill to use my different areas of experience to coach middle schoolers. My favorite times were spent coaching the soloists- choreographing and teaching them how to utilize entire stage, sing with expression, and pass energy to everyone else in the Company. I also managed our fundraising, booked our sound system, designed/assembled the 15 page program, co-directed the Chorus, and processed any administrative "stuff" to be sent home to parents and local businesses. 

I learned soooo much during our two rehearsals/planning segments with our correspondent from NBC, Cynthia Ripley. This lady knows her stuff! And she's a genius when it comes to producing musicals with students! I can truly say I was inspired. And I think this area of "teaching" brought new life to my career in education. 

We have had auditions/rehearsals since mid January. (This means that for almost the length of my marriage, I've had after school rehearsals three nights a week until 6:00-6:30. And tutoring two days a week before school. And math meetings every Wednesday morning on top of that. My hubs sure is a trooper!) Although the spring semester was a CUH-RAZY one for sure, and my social life was pretty much nonexistent, I can honestly say that it was worth it. The students amazed me, and we pulled off a show we can truly be proud of!

Now to make my mind stop racing with ideas for next year... Hmmm...