May 31, 2014

Celebrate | This & That




The sandals

Annie needed sandals. Debbie, who didn't know it, came to bible study with some treasures to share. Someone had given her daughter a pair of brand new Birkenstocks and they didn't fit. Guess who they did fit?

The girls

We have been together for 11 years! We named ourselves Yada after reading  the Yada Yada Prayer Group way back then. There has been a lot of  learning, leaning and laughing over the years!

The move

I'm sad to be leaving my incredible school (and I could list a million reasons why) and at the same time, I am thankful for the school I am going to in the fall. (There is an interesting story about how I am ending up in the school I was heading to three years ago!) The coming year will be a new experience as I will be co-teaching in a classroom that is over the maximum number. The school is new and overflowing already! (I'm looking for advice on co-teaching and would love to hear about your experiences!)

.................................................................................................................

Finding joy in the little and big moments of life!


19 comments:

  1. I've co-taught for years and the most important thing is to develop the relationship between you and your co-teacher. It takes time. Be kind to yourself and keep communication open and honest! When it works, it's AMAZING! I have faith you'll be great! Lucky new school!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are sweet. Thank you for the tips, Michelle! I love that you have been doing it for years.

      Delete
  2. When one door is closed, another is opened. When I work with colleagues, I try to encourage them to use their talents while I use mine. We recognize each other for what we bring to the table. Communication is key. You may want to start meeting together soon. Our team tries to meet weekly each week in the summer. All my best!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've just finished co-teaching in the past weeks, partly to give support, Loralee. But I always had an assistant in my classroom, and although I was the head teacher, Michelle is so right, communication is key. I thought it was wonderful to have another adult in class to talk over everything with! Fun to hear about those sandals, & lovely about your group being together so long!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Linda. I always love seeing your name and reading your comments.

      Delete
  4. Good luck in your new co-teaching job. I have never done it, but I think the opportunity for collaboration sounds great. I love the name of your prayer group and I love your list of verbs that all begin with the letter l.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! :0) Wonderful to read your comment.

      Delete
  5. Lots of exciting things ahead for you! If the sandals incident is any indication, things have a way of working themselves out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a dress story to share sometime too! :0)

      Delete
  6. Good luck as you head out for this new journey. Nothing could be better than to have a co-teaching opportunity where you can both learn and grow because you're in it together. Like others have said, I too believe communication will be key! Have fun and find reasons to celebrate each day together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that..."find reasons to celebrate each day together"! Thank you for sharing, Amy!

      Delete
  7. I have never co-taught in the traditional sense but working with colleagues has taught me to enter the collaboration with a genuine intention of listening to one another. We so often get caught up in what we have to say, that we deny ourselves the opportunity to learn from those around us! Best wishes on such an exciting journey :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like that you celebrate the move, even though it may cause stress and worry. I hope that your co-teaching experience will be a positive one.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Loralee - I have frequently worked as a team in a room. In different ways - with a Teacher Librarian, with a Resource Teacher, with Support Workers and with my previous job share partner (we shared a class for 10 years up until this year when I am now full time) who used to work one half day a week with me in the room. Biggest piece of advice may seem like the smallest thing: be always aware of your language in terms of being a "we" For example, when talking to the children instead of saying "I am looking for . . . . with this project" say "Ms. X and I are looking to see . . . with this project." Offer compliments and acknowledge what you learn from your partner in front of the students so they really believe the mutual respect. Take the opportunity to both be the teacher and the learner in certain situations. This is a great chance to highlight your strengths and learn from another. Communication should be proactive and not weigh you down - it is easy to talk and overanalyze and that can take too much time with busy lives. Take some time to celebrate every day and pick certain times to spend more time thinking critically about directions you want to go - what is working, what can be changed, great ideas you have. Most of all enjoy and respect this wonderful professional relationship!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Carrie, your words of wisdom and encouragement here, and through Twitter today, have been such a blessing. Thank you! I look forward to sharing it all with Angela.

      Delete
  10. I've been rereading old posts this weekend. So many connections with wonderful people over the years! Thank you again. I was able to stay at my school, and I am still there. I am earmarking this post to share with teachers who are co-teaching. Such wise advice.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for being here.