Bye Bye Sweeties

June 2, 2011. I am in transition, trying not to cry and be joyful for a year well done. We have had so much fun the last few weeks with Splash Day, Memory Day and now today is Pajama Day. We danced our last dance (Hula) for our parents and sang our favorite songs. We have become friends. Some of the students know change is coming. Tears are being shed and a joy of all the things we have learned is being spilled out like Niagara Falls. For me, it's like birthing a baby, the labor pains are gone and forgotten and the joy of that beautiful baby is all you can think about. We will miss their smiling faces and new acquired language skills. For when they have language they say, "I love you." Many thanks go out to my Co-teacher Diana for the labors of love she pours out to all. I could not do my job so successfully without her.

Thank you Lord for giving me this time with these cherished students. Thank You for always being there for me. Help me grow in your likeness so that all can see Your love. Amen.

It's May!

How did it get to May 20? In teaching time flies by. I know my birthday was May 3rd and I had a great trip to Las Vegas with friends for the big 60. I guess that's where all the time went.

My class gave me a big surprise party. I was absent the day before so my co teacher had them make banners and cards for me. WOW what a great teaching experience. They were giving to me their love. They were thinking about someone else! That says allot about how simple activities can turn into learning activities. They were writing and illustrating and learning an they didn't even know it. Many thanks go out to my partner in the classroom Diana Sandoval for providing that wonderful experience for my class and me. They were so excited and proud of what they had "surprised me" with. Of course, against all rules we had birthday cake for their surprise. Learning is not just academics is it? Consideration of others is a big lesson to learn when your 4 and 5 years old. I count my blessing everyday.

Next week we will be going on a pretend trip to the islands of Hawaii. Full blast , last week.

Hula dancing, singing, eating topical foods and reading original children's books from Hawaii.

Hula skirts, flower leis and all that go with going to an island. We will have splash day the next week to end the year. Wow what fun we will have I know. I"m so excited! Wish me luck.

It's April 9 and it's Fiesta week in San Antonio. How much fun can that be? As a teacher of our cities culture, I really get into the whole party with my kids. I am just about to go buy stuff to decorate my room and plan fun activities for the students. This gives me great joy. Sometimes it's the big things in life that just get you going and add pleasure to your teaching situations. Fiesta is like nothing else in the USA. So go have fun teachers. Live it up and get a little joy in your life.

You've got to see this video on utube. It's calls Joy joy joy kittens. It's really funny.

Spring Break

Every teacher knows the feeling I am feeling this morning. "I don't have to get up this morning, Yeah!" Spring break is a time to rest, reflect, and just have fun. Fun maybe reading a book you've had for several months or piling everyone into the SUV and heading for the coast. It's going to be cold at the beach but, who cares. It's a change in our schedules. Do you ever wonder what your students are doing? I pray that they stay safe. Last summer my Son in Law and daughter took me to the beach. Through out my blogs I have used pictures from that trip. I never realized that those pictures bought back great memories of being together and how much fun it can be going to the beach. My grandson was totally enthralled in all of the activities and we had a wonderful time.

What a great experience. I have lived all year with that joy that came from that special trip. I am leaving tomorrow to visit my little family in N.C.. I know I will be filled with joy that will last a long time. Teachers need breaks and they need joyful time to refill their cup. I hope that you all have a wonderful joyful time on your break. God bless you and keep you safe!

When is Spring Break

Here it is March the 9 and I am a little tried. How do 4 year olds know it's Spring break and know to act like teenagers going to the beach to party? Yes, they have wanted to break out and just go crazy. They need to go outside and run and have fun. The weather is great. So let's have fun.I going to see my grandson and family in N.C. for my fun time. Can't wait!

What is a Teacher?

I found this saying a couple of lines down from my blog name on google. I love it. It said "

What are the characteristics of God's Teachers? V. Joy

Joy is the inevitable result of gentleness. Gentleness means that fear is now impossible, and what could come to interfere with joy? The open hands of gentleness are always filled. The gentle have no pain. They cannot suffer. Why would they not be joyous? They are sure they are beloved and must be safe. Joy goes with gentleness as surely as grief attends attack. God’s teachers trust in Him. And they are sure His Teacher goes before them, making sure no harm can come to them. They hold His gifts and follow in His way, because God’s Voice directs them in all things. Joy is their song of thanks. Christ looks down on them in thanks as well. His need of them is just as great as theirs of Him. How joyous it is to share the purpose of salvation!".

Wow ! A just love that explanation of joy!

It is March 1st and only two more months of joy with this little class. In the latter days, they have shown me joy because they are now growing into caring children. The haven't lost their love for talking and I am listening even more to full sentences and new words in their vocabulary. They are developing a need to write words and create their own ideas with words. Thank you Lord for all of these blessings. My joy or cup runnth over. Here comes Spring and we are doing great things.