Meet the Teacher Monday

Hi all! I’m linking up with Blog Hoppin for Teacher Week

And TODAY is Meet the Teacher. Love it! I get to talk about myself! 🙂 I will not be too long winded. Hmmmm. Okay, I will try not to be too long winded! 🙂 That’s a pic of the hubs and me. We were in South Carolina (which I fell IN LOVE with) at his little sister’s wedding. Fun times!

Tell us a little something about you..

Obviously, I am a teacher. But in other news, I am the writer of this teeny tiny blog and it has recently taken over my life. I am obsessed with writing, posting, and reading blogs. My hubby is cooking dinner right now (this is what he does. I am so lucky. I know it. We are going to have fajitas. I will do the dishes, though) and here I am, even though I have a bag full of school stuff to do. Oh well. I will look at that while I watch The Bachelor Pad. That’s one other thing about me. I am addicted to Reality TV. Even the trashy kind. I can’t help it. It makes me happy to watch other people’s drama. Call me crazy.

How long have you been teaching?

I have been teaching first grade for 14 years (I’m in my 15th year). It doesn’t seem that long but when I see new teachers, I realize how blessed I am to know what I am doing. I started my career in a school with 100% Language Learners. Four years later, my best friend and partner decided to leave me (well, she had a baby. I mean, the nerve of her! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Love you, Sheri) so I finally decided to get off the freeway and apply closer to my house. My current school is where I have been ever since. 🙂

You might not know…

Well, I don’t have children of my own. My husband and I have been married for 14 years and in the beginning, we said we would wait a couple of years. And then a couple of years went by and we said we would wait another couple. And then I think we said that 6 times or something. I was always waiting for that desire or that feeling that my sisters and my friends would get. Some of my friends were downright obsessed with getting preggers. But not me. So then I thought something was wrong with me because lots of people would tell me what a great mother I’d be and what’s wrong with me??? What am I waiting for??? Really. One time a PARENT of a child in my class made a special point to visit me after school to give me her fertility doctor’s name!! Because she had heard that I had been married for 10 years and thought for sure I was infertile. TRUE STORY. Anyways, I honestly couldn’t find that feeling or desire, although I looked everywhere. But THEN, a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with this really scary heart condition with this really scary name and GUESS WHAT? Yep, I am not allowed to have children. And I probably had this condition for YEARS (by the way, I ignored my symptoms for close to ten years so I do not advise that you do that. It’s pretty bad when you have the same primary care physician for nine years and have to ask for directions) so it was actually a blessing that I never became pregnant because it most likely would have killed me. (so my cardiologist says) So I really feel like God protected me both physically and emotionally because I know so many women who would have been devastated if they had been told they could not have children. And I felt . . . well, I felt like “okay.” And it IS fun (even though it’s mean) to answer that stupid, ongoing question, “When are YOU TWO going to have children?” with a clear, simple and direct, “I can’t.” 🙂 We sometimes discuss adopting a baby from a far away land but for now, I am content. Truly. So tuck that lip back in and don’t worry about me. I’m all good. 🙂 (I am on medicine that is working, I visit my cardiologist often, and I am stable.)

What do you need to improve?

My attitude. This school year has been a little difficult with a lot of imposed changes by our district and principal. I need to relax (ha!) and go with the flow. I need to do what I do best and rise above it. I walk into school with a positive attitude but I need to work on maintaining it throughout the day. 🙂 You’re never fully dressed without a smile! (love Annie!)

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?

My level for my bulletin boards. I know. It’s a sickness. But one time, my friend borrowed it and I thought I had lost an appendage. Seriously.

My Ipod. I have one JUST for the classroom and it is filled to the brim with every kind of music that kids need to learn new concepts, get the wiggles out, transition, etc. I also use the timer on it.

Sharp pencils with good erasers.

Books. Every kind. I will throw away something else to make room for a new book. I love love love love love books. My favorites right now are by Robert Munsch, Mo Willems, and Kevin Henkes. But they’re just in my mind because I love to read them at the beginning of the year. 🙂

Coke Zero or Diet Dr. Pepper. Excedrine. Starburst candy. Coffee every single morning.

Well, that’s it! It’s your turn! Go link up with Blog Hoppin to join in!

Comments

Andi says

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My husband and I hear this ALL the time, "Why don't you have children?" or "You would make such a good mother." They don't know that!

I'm great with my class but awful at home. The cats rule the roost! I'm the enabler. My husband is the disciplinarian.

I've never felt that itch either. In fact, pregnancy scares and totally grosses me out!!

I'm glad you're condition is being taken care of now. How did you find out that you had it?

Andi
oh' boy says

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thanks for sharing your story about your condition… I got those questions too… very AWKWARD!!!! hubs and I did have fertility issues and eventually adopted so if you take the next step you have a BLOGGY BFF that you can talk to!!!!
Andi says

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ugh! I know the difference between your and you're. I hate it when I comment incorrectly. I blame extreme exhaustion!!
SunnyDays says

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I could have written that myself about wanting kids, seriously! Well, except for the heart condition – which thankfully seems to be under control for you. It still amazes me how many people just come out and ask why I don't have kids or when I'm going to. Kind of personal, right? Especially from someone I don't know well. My hubs and I are happy as clams, married for 12 years and both teachers. Honestly, I'm just not sure I would have the energy for my own after teaching all day!

Denise
Sunny Days In Second Grade
Pam says

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Thank you for sharing with us! Even though you are teeny tiny you have a huge positive attitude. Thank you so much. Reading your blog tonight is exactly what I needed to get through the day!
~christina says

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Friend, thanks for making me laugh tonight. I love your insight on God's plan for you…you are so strong! Hope you enjoy Bachelor Pad…can't wait!
Allyce says

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Love reading your blog, I seriously wait for it to show up for me to read. Bachelor Pad tonight- big drama as always (watching as I read).
Katie King says

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Is it weird your post made me tear up? Not because I felt bad for you, but because seeing such a clear example of God's vision has that kind of effect on me! Thanks for sharing!

Katie
Queen of the First Grade Jungle
Liz says

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Kristin – you said you have an iPod full just for your class. Can you share with me some things you have on there? I'm new to primary and I used to have a lot of musical things I'd used in intermediate but my littles are so…little this year I need some new play lists! Thanks so much! – Liz
Jill says

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Is it awkward that I am commenting on this 6 month old post? I don't care!

I remember reading this when you first wrote it and feeling sort of relieved because I don't really know if I want kids! I don't have any reason besides that the idea of pregnancy sort of weirds me out. Plus I love spending 7 hours of my day with little kids but I kind of need the other 17 hours to recharge my batteries! I can't imagine having a family at home after school. Yikes!!

So those are my thoughts, a little belated. 🙂 🙂

Marvelous Multiagers!

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