The Farm School

So, this past week, I was a little MIA as I headed out West-Western MA that is...to The Farm School with 46 8th graders in tow. It is such an amazing place! The theme of the farm is: being kind, helping others and good food. All the farmers and staff embodied that and more! The kids had such a great time, there were no major incidents and we all returned in one piece-for an 8th grade overnight field trip, I'll call that a success!

Being away from technology for a few days and waking up before sunrise to work on the farm, definitely put things in perspective for me. I loved being that close to nature and even being removed from my beloved devices, did good things for my soul. From sunrise nature walks, morning yoga, the amazing food that was cooked by the kids (with help from the staff), exploring the woods, and campfires at night-it was truly a one-of-a-kind experience that I will not soon forget.

Although I must admit, after a few pumpkin beers, a hot shower, and a full night's sleep,

 I did feel a bit more human :)

Gone Farming!

This weeks post will be a little shorter than usual, since as this post goes up, I will be an hour and a half away in the hills of MA. That's right, I am currently chaperoning 50 eighth graders on a 3 day, 2 night class trip to Farm School. We're taking the city kids to the farm.....

...this will be quite the adventure!

Wish me luck!

Back to School, Back to School....

.....to prove to dad that I'm no fool (Billy Madison reference anyone?) :)

The first day of school is rapidly approaching, although I feel like we are getting started later than everyone else, as I see buses out and about on my morning drive. But, it'll be here before I know it, and in the meantime, I've been furiously setting up the classroom and getting prepared for the kids.  I know this is only my 4th year teaching, but will I ever be able to spend less than 50 (unpaid) hours setting up my room?? It's too much!

So anyways, feast your eyes on my labor of love...I'm really happy with the way it turned out this year!

1st day of school-bring it on-we're ready for our Middle Schoolers!!

August Blues

As a teacher, the summer is a time to relax, read, catch up with friends and rejuvenate for the upcoming school year. I LOVE the summers! August, however...I could do without.

Especially the end of August-there's this feeling I get that is part anxiety, part excitement, part dread, part anticipation and it just doesn't go away.  Last week, I woke up at 2a.m. because I had a vision of how I wanted to re-arrange my classroom and I had to get it out on paper-who does that?!

 So, until the school year starts, I'll be over here with that icky feeling in the pit of my stomach....that is until I go back to school shopping-then it's just pure excitement!! :)