Well it’s been awhile (seems to be the same way I start every post lol). Let me quickly update you on what I’ve been up to:
-Teaching
-Teaching
-Going on fun dates with the boyfriend (eeeep!) and falling more in love (more on that in a later)
-More teaching
It has been a CRAZY, super interesting, and still wonderful year. I have learned so much. My little crew had a rough start together. (Let’s just say I learned a lot about classroom management from August-November!) but we finally got into a groove with each other! Even though I taught 2nd grade for six months last year, it is NO comparison to your first FULL year from the BEGINNING. Setting up your classroom is so so fun but also a little stressful!
It is now 2020. Right now, it feels like the world has turned upside down. Not too long ago, our county had tornadoes and our school was put on lockdown for basically a whole day. In all my years of school, I have never been on a tornado lockdown. It was kind of scary. I was so proud of my students that day for handling everything so well, they did such an amazing job they even surprised me!
Now, we are in a different situation. Everything across the country is closed. We cannot gather with our families. We can’t go out to shop, to eat lunch with a friend, or even go to the park. It is a crazy time. About a month ago, I was just exhausted and wishing for spring break. I knew if I could just have that week to catch my breath, catch up on sleep and slow down I could make it! This isn’t the kind of break I meant.
Now, we are about to embark on virtual learning. Our county has put off in person instruction until at least May due to the Coronavirus. Currently, our state has a “Stay in Place” order for 30 days. So tomorrow, my students will begin their lessons online. Over the last week, I have been working with my team and coworkers so hard to get things ready for us to all adapt. I have been able to see my sweet first grade babies via Zoom and it made my heart so happy!
This is such a crazy, historical time. Never in my life did I picture tornadoes, quarantine, and a world stopping sickness for my first year as a teacher. I miss my students, students that aren’t even my students, my coworkers, morning announcements, and just being in my classroom pushing my babies to grow. It finally felt like I hit my groove! I was finally feeling like I was easing into it! Then it got taken away. But in all of this, I am so thankful for my team, my admin, and my school for being the most helpful and supportive. God has truly blessed me and had His hand on me in my career from the beginning.
Also, in the middle of this, I am moving! I have lived at home my whole life but a couple of months ago I just felt like it was time. It’s hard. Kind of bittersweet. I love my family and we are actually very close. I always pictured myself as the girl who would live at home until she gets married. That’s what both of my parents did and it makes the most sense to me.
However I just felt myself growing out of my childhood bedroom and my goal was always to be moved out by 25 if I was not married or on my way there. Welp, here we are folks! I have a roommate who I love! I actually taught with her last year. And so far, we are moving next Tuesday!! I have a week and a half left in my childhood room and it’s bittersweet. But it’s also 5 minutes down the road so it will still be close to my family!!
So all of this to say, this is a CRAZY year to be a first year teacher. So to all first year teachers out there, you are doing amazing just because you are doing what you can. This is uncharted waters for ALL teachers! And to all teachers, you rock, you’re awesome and you are killing it out there!
In all this crazy, J has been the most amazing and wonderful blessing all year and I just love him! I take any chance I can to gush about him.
Please leave a comment below to let me know how YOU are doing in all of this? If you need a friend, just let me know! Thank you for reading my update =)
xoxo Ariana