As teachers, WE are always the ones planning, coordinating, running, and cleaning up at school events. Being a first-time mom, it’s always so exciting {and SUPER surreal} for ME to be the parent volunteer at Grayson’s school. I-LOVE-IT!! I find it’s always great to have multiple perspectives, and now being able to speak with and relate to my students’ parents as BOTH a parent and a teacher is unbelievably life-changing and valuable!
I’ve enjoyed volunteering at Gray’s Mother’s Day tea, Little Chef’s exploration day (where I created chef-themed centers & volunteered in his room), and this week at his end-of-summer carnival. They were all incredibly fun experiences and I LOVE interacting with the ADORABLE kiddos in his class. More importantly, it forms a great bond between Grayson, his fabulous teachers, and myself.
QUESTION: Are you ever able to serve as the PARENT VOLUNTEER instead of always playing the role of the teacher? If so, what have been YOUR favorite parent volunteer events? Class parties? Field trips? Story time? PLEASE SHARE!
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It’s a week of FIRSTS here on It’s Elementary, My Dear, now that the blog is fully up-and-running, I have so many topics, tidbits, and link-ups that I want to write about there aren’t enough hours in the day to keep up with my {super excited} thoughts! Today, I’m cranking out my FIRST EVER “5 -for- Friday” link-up with Doodle Bugs Teaching {insert happy dance here}! Let’s see what fun & frolicking this week of firsts has brought me…
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The lovely ladies {and fellow Chicago-area bloggers} over at Learning to the Core and iTeach 1:1 have cooked up a 4 week series of Tuesday tech-themed topics to pick our brains and link up with others sharing tech tips. I’m only just now linking up in time for the topic of iPads {#betterlatethannever}, but will be back again next week to chat about my obsession with QR codes. In fact, I’ve only posted Part 1 of my iPad postings (TEACHER use). Over the weekend I’ll be wrapping up my 2nd iPad posting (and will link it, too) focusing on STUDENT use of the devices. Get a sneak peek of my kids in action adding to their digital portfolios (using the Open School ePortfolio app), which I will use for extensive assessment, feedback, and communication with parents. iPads are my FAVE “tech-sessory!”
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I’ve been watching {slightly enviously} as other teacher-bloggers around the country giggle & gobble up food together at regional and state meet-ups for years! OH, how I’ve imagined having the chance for a Midwest or Chicago {HOLLA!} area blogger meet-up for a long time now! GUESS WHAT?!?! My dreams of a Midwest/Chicago area meet-up are coming true! Thanks to the divas at Darling Dressed Duo and Sequins Are a Girl’s Best Friend, we’ll be enjoying a fabulous brunch outing in downtown Chicago August 3rd! Even more surprising was when I stumbled upon {TONIGHT–just before I wrote this post!} the Midwest Blogger Meet-up co-hosted by Lessons With Coffee and Thriving in Third. I’m on cloud 9, giddy beyond belief {#hopeicansleeptonight} for these two events, because I know I’ll be meeting some of the most fabulous people EVER! I can’t wait for us to all become blogging besties!
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Soooooo…I’ve been catching {slightly jealous & definitely curious} glimpses of S.L.A.N.T. boxes all over Instagram, always wondering, “How in the WORLD do I get into this totally awesome exchange club?!?!?” Well, tonight during some {almost} midnight, totally random blog hopping, I landed at Lessons & Coffee. Not only did it introduce me to the Midwest Blogger Meet-up (see above), but I seem to have stumbled upon the MOTHERSHIP for joining in the S.L.A.N.T. box fun! INSTANTLY, I signed up for the August exchange, & will be pacing the floors until I hear back about my match & start gathering goodies for the them of “Hometown Pride.”  |
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Even if you don’t personally know me, but follow the blog, my Instagram, or Pinterest boards, you know I love beautiful design. One thing you probably DON’T know about me {unless you’re a personal friend} is that graphic design is one of my passionate hobbies. I LOVE IT. For nearly 2 full years, I created couture wedding, holiday, & everyday stationary and art prints for clients all over the world. It was artsy and wonderful…but led me away from education & out of education. Despite my success & enjoyment, I was called back to the classroom & am ever grateful that I returned. Now, I have the perfect opportunity to combine my love of design with my calling to education!! I’m cooking up some DELICIOUS DESIGNS that will soon be revealed. See a sneak peek of my design inspiration below. Check back for haute stationery providing “Smart Style for Trendy Teachers!”
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I CHERISH the moments when I get to play MOMMY in a school setting & the role of TEACHER takes a back seat. This past Mother’s Day tea party at my son’s preschool was the first such experience {no planning, prepping, or corralling kids was nice!} and tomorrow is another. I arranged to volunteer at Grayson’s school once a week between now and the start of MY back-to-school. This week’s theme is “Little Chefs,” & I’ve cooked up some tasty activities for the cute little kiddos in Gray’s class. See the center activity materials below & watch for a full post with action pics coming soon!
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