Teacher friends!

It is fun to go to teachers' meetings and talk to my fellow teachers!

Yes, I did just say I find something good about meetings!

Of course, there are twenty thousand things I could be doing if I didn't have to go, but... I really enjoy the professional camaraderie that meeting together fosters.

I especially enjoy collaborating with my friend Laura. A "newbie" like me, she is full of enthusiasm and fun ideas. We share Center ideas, discipline tricks and even afternoon recess duty! On Fridays we try to get our kids together for fun activities.

It is truly a blessing to be able to toss ideas around or discuss a tricky situation with another teacher!

Just the other day, I was fortunate to talk to my dear friend Bev. I worked with Bev for four years as a teachers' aide and I count her among one of my favorite people in the world.

Bev is not a "newbie" she's taught "forever".

She has an idea for every situation, a story for every problem I can encounter and a generous heart!

Her passion for teaching is contagious and her willingness to listen is a blessing. (Not to mention she has dittos and teaching ideas for every concept I must teach and she SHARES!)

There is nothing quite like the challenge and blessing of teaching.

There is also something very special about the people who love to teach. Not only do they love their students, but they love their profession and are happy to help those of us just joining the game!

Today, on Thanksgiving, I thank God for my "teacher friends" the "newbies" who commiserate with me when I'm tired and the experienced veterans who share the joy of the craft with me!

Rhyming games!

It's amazing how a silly dance and the excuse to wag your finger at your teacher makes learning more fun.

Today my kiddos and I practiced rhyming together in a very silly way. All of my favorite Kindergarten students lined up along the blackboard and then I would flash a homemade picture card at them and read the word upon it. If the picture was "rose" then I would say another word like "nose". If the word I said rhymed, the kids could do a dance. If it didn't, they could shake their finger at me (because clearly I was confused)! The resulting game was a hoot and my students loved it! At the end I flipped the deal and I would show a card and call on a student challenging them to rhyme. If the could, (I didn't mind help from friends), I would do a little dance. If they got "tricked", I would wag my finger at them. Then of course we'd talk about where they got confused and I'd let them try again.

May I suggest doing a, "little dance" if you are feeling down. (If you can do it with Kindergarten kids, all the better!)

It certainly does the trick for me.

Kindergarten here I come!

For those of you who are regular readers, you may recall that I have been hunting for a job.

Today I can report that I am employed!

You are looking at a Kindergarten teacher!

Those of you who have spent time in the competitive job market, will understand both my relief and my happiness.

When I close my eyes, I can see the school and the rooms that I'll teach in. I think my smile may not go away for days!

I can't wait to prepare my lessons, meet my students and begin the adventure that is teaching.

Excuse me now.... I have to go make some "Calendar Bears" or maybe catalog my literacy resources!