Weekend Update

...With Amy and Tina!

Jk, but I miss them. 

How was everyone's weekend?  How was back to school?  It's totally the teacher in me, but I love seeing all of the kiddos back to school pictures on social media. 

Mine is here

I can't believe it's year 3 already!  Times a flying when you're having fun!  

And yes I have apples on my mani! 

So kitschy, but I'm obsessed. 

My back to school was pretty good. Just testing the kids before we officially dove in. 

This weekend was chaotic!  Back to the usual fast paced Weekend Warrior lifestyle. I am so spoiled over the summer because I can go run errands anytime I want. Now if I forget something at Target I have to wait until the weekend to fit it into my schedule. 

Friday started with PT. I'll get to that in tomorrow's post. Then I hit up the gym for a weights and cardio workout. After I went to Seasons 52 for the usual salad party, but they left the pumpkin seeds on it and it was just ehhhh. I like pumpkin seeds, just not on my salads. 

I then baked a batch of breakfast cookies with apples instead of chocolate chips. We'll see how the sweet tooth does with that switcharoo. I then baked an organic vanilla "Orange" cake for my friend's brother's concert.  I subbed coconut oil and almond milk for butter and milk respectively. I may or may not have sampled the batter and decided it was delicious. Quality control, you know? 😊

I then watched DCC Making The Team 11 (Go Amy!)!! So so so good. Then I watched the Dateline Special on JonBenet Ramsey. It was really interesting. I have to say I'm hooked on all of these shows. This crime fascinated me as a child because it was the first time I saw evil in real life. I was the same age as her and I remember thinking there are bad people in the world. Not just Disney villains, but real people can be bad. 

Saturday started as it usually does, gym time followed by Sample Saturday. Afterwards, Deb and I went to our cousins' birthday party.  It's always fun to see the whole family and who doesn't love a cupcake?!

Saturday night was a special treat. Cait's little brother has a band and we went to their show. They played a free concert in her backyard. Everyone brought food and drinks and just hung out, danced, and enjoyed the show. His band is named Car In The Wall and they have songs on iTunes!  You should check them out. They're sooooooo good!  

Cait and I enjoying the Orange Cake!

Sunday was spent in DC watching the Phillies take on the Nationals. We said hi to Ben Revere and said Boooooooo to Jayson Werth. 

Heckled by William Taft

He decided to play nice...for now

Christmas at the stadium?  In September ?  I'll take it! 

Cool art on display at the stadium.

The Nationals did a ceremony to honor and remember those lost and those who served in 9/11. They had first responders, service dogs, and the USNA Mids on the field for the ceremony. It was beautiful and so special.

So the Nationals have a Simba Cam!  How cool is that?  The entire stadium breaks into the Simba pose. Parents just lift up their children like Simba while Circle Of Life plays. 

So funny!

I have to give the Nats a huge hand clap for the variety of food and healthy foods they offered at the stadium. They have gluten free options, a whole salad station, and multiple vegetarian and even vegan options. I rolled with the best roasted cauliflower sandwich I ever had. I didn't photograph it because it was messsssssy!  It was a bunch of roasted cauliflower and red onions in a tomato red pepper sauce on a poppy seed bun. Deeeeelish!  Literally finger licking good. 

My dad was excited because they had Shake Shack. Ever since the Mets game, he's become a concert. 

Even though we rally capped, we lost 3-2. Cody Asche was called up from Reading, so that was good. I'm glad he's back.

We didn't get home until around 9 so it was lunch prep and then right to bed. 

What did everyone do this weekend?? 

Xoxo,

E

IEP Day

Happy Tuesday!

Is everyone recovering from the sugar coma that is Easter?  After 40 days of peanut butter/chocolate/junk free I realized some things:

• I am not a peanut butter monster anymore!  I had it mixed into my oats this am and I was like, meh I prefer actual nuts in my oats.  
• I miss chocolate and sweets, but not candy.  I'd rather have cake, cookies, or a banana bread.
• Peanut Butter Overload Smidgens are just that:  an overload.  WAYYYY too sweet for me.  I mean I still ate 4, but no more.

After 5 hours of IEP writing, I went to the gym to shake it all out in Zumba and do some weights.  It was schweaty and perfect.  Exactly what I needed.

It was great to be back on a normal schedule.  Healthy, whole foods, gym sessions, and no processed junk.  Plus tons of water.  It's amazing how normal I feel after eating real foods.  

I also made my favorite banana bread.  Technically this is zuke bread, but I replace the zuke with bananas.  I also add organic chocolate chips ;)

Twas delish!

Since yesterday was a rainy, blah day I figured I would write IEPs for work.  I had my leggins, banana bread, and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reruns to keep me company and occupied.  

Today I'm off to meet Jaclyn for lunch at my old stomping grounds!  Ole, ole, ole, ole, TCNJ!  This is my second time visiting TCNJ's new college town.  We're going to meet up at Panera which used to be our go to spot after Wednesday Night Women and Gender's class.  It will bring back memories for sure.  Love my, Jac!

xoxo,

e

My New Big Girl Job!

Happy Labor Day Weekend Everybody!

How are you doing?  I'm doing super fabulously well because...drum roll please...

I HAVE A BIG GIRL JOB!

I'm going to be an elementary school resource room teacher!  After 27 Dresses interviews I am so excited to begin this new chapter in my life!  Because I am a special education teacher, there will be zero information regarding my students, my school, and/or other professional mentions on the blog.  I try to be honest here, but due to the sensitivity of my job, I legally and personally feel that I must respect the anonymity of my students.

Does that mean I won't brag about what a wonderful job I have?  Kale no!  I think teaching is the greatest profession and therefore I will still cheer on my fellow teachers and share my feelings about teaching in general here on the bloggy.

Let me tell you, the teacher-interview process is grueling.  It was 3 months (I am extremely blessed to have found a job as quickly as I did--to all my friends who are still looking for teaching positions, good luck!  Your class and kids are out there!) of rejection, money, praying, and hard work.  At one point, I went on 4 interviews in 3 days!!

I consider myself extremely blessed that I was even able to go on as many interviews as I did.  The educational climate has shifted significantly over the past few years in this country.  As a side effect, jobs have been cut by the thousands.  It's rough out there.  Sometimes I think it would be easier to win an Academy Award than become a teacher, especially in NJ!  I felt privileged to have been granted this many opportunities and believe me I never took one of them for granted.  Here are a list of interviews I went on:

1. 6th Grade Inclusion-1st round interview was during Educational Interview Days at TCNJ.  I was called in for a second interview, then a demo lesson on Close Reading, then I was offered the position.  I turned it down because my heart wasn't in it.  I knew that I couldn't take this job if my heart wasn't 100% in it.  I turned it down and risked a whole bunch for it.

2. HS Multiple Disabilities Class-1st round interview during Educational Interview Days at TCNJ.  I think both the interviewer and I knew this wasn't the job for me.

3. Variety of special education positions-1st round interview was during Educational Interview Days at TCNJ.  This position was over an hour away so I wasn't  too upset that I didn't get this job.

4. Variety of general education positions-1st round interview at a job fair.  2nd round interview with a principal and 3 teachers.  3rd round interview with all of the elementary principals in the district.  4th round interview with the superintendent.  This position was a dream job.  I would have loved it.  When I didn't get this job I was devastated.  I cried for a very long time and felt like a huge loser.  I also began to regret turning down the job in District 1.

5. Variety of special education positions-1st round of interviews with a principal, director of curriculum, and a teacher.  2nd round of interviews consisted of a demo lesson on guided reading.  I was sad that I didn't get this position.  I was actually called in to interview for another position later in August, but I had already accepted a position in my district.

6. Variety of general education position-1st round interviews with a principal and curriculum director.  2nd round interview was a demo lesson on Fact vs. Fiction.  I was very upset when I didn't get this position because it came a week after I was rejected from 2 other districts.

7. Special education long term sub-1st round interview.  Offered position after I already accepted my current position.

8. Variety of special education and general education positions-1st round interview with principal and vice principal.  2nd round interview was with principal, vp, special ed supervisor, and a teacher.  3rd round interview was a demo lesson on introducing a novel.  This job I wanted very very very badly!  I was crushed when I didn't get it.  I probably cried more than I've ever cried over anything or anyone.  I don't think I left my house all that much.  Deb yelled at me to pull myself together and that if I was going to give up, I didn't deserve it anyone.  She's real big on tough love when you just want to be coddled.

9.  Variety of special education positions-1st round interview was with a few principals, curriculum director, and director of special education.  2nd round interview was a demo lesson on making connections to literature.

10.  Variety of special education positions-1st round interview was a phone interview with a principal.  2nd round interview was an interview with all of the elementary school principals.  I did not make it to the 3rd or 4th round interviews, but was called back in for an interview the day after I accepted my current position.

11. MD reading class-1st round interview was scheduled after I already had my current job.  I turned them down.

12. Resource room position at my dream school.  1st round interview was with 2 principals, a teacher, and a special education supervisor.  2nd round interview was a phonics demo lesson on blends.  I ended up hearing back that same day that I got the job.  I received that call on my way to the gym and as soon as I pulled in I called the principal back.  She told me I got the job and I  probably cried for over an hour and had the best workout of my life.  I had to interview with the superintendent and then I signed my contract and got my job!

My life was crazy, but I'm glad it was such an emotional roller coaster.  The process made me extremely grateful and humble.  I know that I worked myself harder than I ever have in my life.  I was pushed to the brink emotionally and psychologically.  It made me tougher and quicker on my feet.  I am so appreciative of this position and it will make me work even harder.

Every week you're getting rejected, interviewed, passed over, and picked apart.  You could interview well and have a killer demo lesson, but the district may have a long term sub, student teacher, or a para who has put in more time than you.  Interviewing for a teaching job is kind of like going on a whole bunch of dates.  Sometimes you get called back, sometimes they break up with you, and sometimes, if you're very lucky, they choose you and you get to live happily ever after.

If you know someone who is currently interviewing for a teaching position give them a big hug and let them vent.  This is an extremely competitive and stressful time in education.  If you have a teaching job, remember to be grateful for ti.  Remember that there are 1,000s of people out there who would gladly take your spot in a heartbeat.  Remember the rejections.  Remember the triumphs.  Remember the sense of accomplishments.  Remember to be tough and don't let this get you down.  Even though it will get you down and crush your soul.  Remember that everything happens for a reason.  If I had taken the first job, I would have missed out on my current job.  I'm so glad I didn't get job #4 because even though it was everything I would have ever wanted then, it has nothing on my current job.  I'm elated, blessed, and grateful to be in the position I am in now.


....Did I mention the best part of my new job??  I'm working down the hall from...

source

MY DEB!  Yup, I get to work down the hall from my momma.  I'm going to write a post about what it's like to work with your mom in a few weeks. 

Gotta run and prep my classroom!  Enjoy your weekend and be safe!

Love Love Love,

Erin

Moorestown SpEAC conference 2014 and Another Reason My Deb is Awesome

Happy Sunday Nite!!!


I hope your weekend was as busy and fun as mine!  Today was beautiful!  The car said 83 and this girl was thrilled!  After the winter we had, NJ deserves all the sun.  All of it!

This weekend was jam packed with school work (even though it's technically spring break for me--woot woot!) and Deb's conference!

Deb is a speech therapist and was asked to present at the annual SpEAC conference in her district.  Naturally, I wanted to attend the conference and cheer her on!  SpEAC is a support group for parents of students with disabilities.  I loved all parts of the conference--except the 8:30 start time.

source

Anyway, my feelings about the morning aside, it was a great event!  It started with a bagel and pastry filled breakfast buffet (as any unGodly hour should) and we were greeted by the chairwoman.  I felt like the coolest non-teacher, non-employee, non-parent, non-vendor there because Deb's friends came over to me and invited me to sit with them.   Seriously a relief!  I always feel awkward (not that awkwardness has ever impeding me from going somewhere and being "vertly" social.  Vert means not an extrovert but not an introvert...just vert.)  Deb later joined us...she was too cool to sit with us at the beginning of breakfast because she had to set up for her presentation.

After I got to feel like one of the cool kids, Jed Baker (a rockstar in the special ed world) gave the morning keynote address.  He has been to TCNJ before and I've heard/studied his theories all throughout college.  It was awesome to see him speak live.  If any of you get the chance to hear him--TAKE IT!  He's funny, honest, compassionate, and a wealth of knowledge.  He talked about behavior management, taking control, and most importantly hope.  Sometimes when you work with students with behavior problems you can think it is hopeless.  You think the tantrum, the unkind words, the hitting, and the other negative behavior will never stop.  Baker told us that you have to have hope, you have to have tolerance, and you have to control your own behavior if you want to modify the child's.  I really enjoyed his address.  

Next was Deb's session.  Let me give you some background.  Deb hates to speak in public.  It's seems like an oxymoron that a speech therapist hates to speak in public.  She really does, though.  It's her least favorite activity.  It even ranks lower than listening to me complain about grad school.  Deb and her colleagues started their session with an introduction and Deb even made a funny!  She said, "We all hate speaking in front of people so we picked speech because we would have a legal maximum group, or audience, of 5!"  Snaps for Deb!  It was a hit!  Deb's session focused on how parents can engage their students in joint attention activities and foster communication in everyday settings.  Great topic and great presentation.  Inevitably people told Deb and I that we looked alike.  We don't see it, but we both take it as a compliment.  I just want to be half as talented at my job as Deb is at hers.  Deb's a rockstar speech therapist and I love listening to her talk about her job.  She's so passionate and so dedicated that it makes me smile to hear her discuss and present her work.  A+ for Deb and her colleagues.

After Deb's session, there was a delicious lunch from M Bacio.  Lunch was for mingling and networking.  (Or drinking copious amounts of lemonade...take your pick.)

Right after lunch we had Jeff Yalden from MTV's Made give us an inspiring speech.  I laughed (a lot), cried (even more) and left feeling motivated and more connected to the world.  I'm pretty sure the fellow attendees that I did not know thought I was an emotional wreck.  (Not an untrue assessment at all) If you ever get to hear him speak, TAKE IT!  He's fantastic!  He talked to us about love, family, friends, instilling a sense of courage in our students, and how important it is to know your students and their lives.  

After his speech, Deb, some of her friends, and I went to her colleagues' session on Crisis Management.  It was incredibly informative.  As a new teacher, I feel like behaviors are something that I am going to struggle with, simply for the reason that I have not had that much experience with them.  After a few many years,  I will be more adept to handling them.  As we say in the biz, we will have more strategies in our bag of tricks.  The presentation was fantastic.  

Sometimes it can be hard to be a teacher.  You get bogged down by the negative publicity, the negative attitudes from peers or outsiders, students refusing to work to their potential, and the administration.  It's refreshing and necessary to attend events such as SpEAC where you get a break from the negative and get to rediscover your passion for teaching.  Events like these remind you why you wanted to be a teacher in the first place:  to make students' lives better.  

Here's a pic of Deb rocking her presentation! 

Doesn't she look cute?

Enjoy the fun and the sun!!

xoxo,

Erin

You Know Your Parent's An Educator When

Hello lovelies,

This weekend mia famiglia went to visit my brother at school in Virginia.  Such a fun time!  More on that post later.  Long car rides and I have a rocky relationship with each other.  On the one hand I love the quiet alone time with just the radio, a good magazine, family chats, and laughs.  On the other hand I can’t stand being contained in an SUV for 6 hours.  I do get some really good soul searcher done on these car rides though.  I don’t know if that is for better or for worse.  Sometimes you need to stop analyzing your life and just live it.  Don’t think too much is one of my 2014 New Year’s Resolutions.  Inevitably Deb and I will get in a discussion about education and how to be a better teacher.  I love these convos because my mom is such a well of knowledge.  She’s been a speech pathologist for over 30 years and is fantastic!  I admire her and her work ethic.  While we were talking I got the idea about things that Educator’s Kids Get.  Here is my list:

1) As a youngster you were checked to make sure you were hitting your developmental milestones on that exact month marker. 

2) Everyone wanted to play school at your house because you had actual old teacher’s manuals, an actual attendance book, and an actual seating chart.

3) On the 15^th and 30^th of every month you were living large!!  Those were pay days and you knew that your educator parent was coming home telling you, you guys “were going out to dinner”! 

4) You were at those teacher contract negotiation rallies wearing your I Support Public Education t-shirt and carrying your Settle Now signs while proudly marching with the other union members.

5) When other people bash unions, you come up with 20 good reasons and benefits of unions.

6) You’ve gone to political marches at your state capital. 

7) You ate pasta every night for the last ½ of August waiting for that September 1^st pay day.  (Not really, but you know that you’re not “going out to dinner”.

8)  Your parent was a celebrity in your area because every time you went to Target or the grocery store your parent was recognized and bombarded with hugs and love. 

9) You saw that and wanted your future students to feel that strongly about you.  Seriously when we see my mom’s students it’s so beautiful because they love her! 

10) You know teachers don’t get summers off.  Nor are they home at 3:30…more like 7.

11)  When/if a teacher called your house, emailed your parents, or wrote a note home, you knew YOU were in trouble.  There was never a discussion of if you were wrongly accused or not.  No, you were the one at fault.

12)   Barnes & Noble was your treat when you finished your behavior chart.

13) You have a cabinet full of mugs that your parent has received from past students.  You know that your parent would never dare throw away these mugs because they remind them of that “special student”.  (You also know that you will never buy your child’s teacher a mug or candle because you yourself have seen the volume of mugs and candles teacher’s receive J)

14)   If you were bad you didn’t get to go the library on Sasturday for new books.

15)   You participated in every Summer Reading Program at your local library.  (usually you also won them because reading was a scheduled part of your daily routine)

16)  You went to preschool and loved it!

17)  You were happy when school functions and plays were at night so that your educator parent could come.

18)  You knew that on Back To School Night and Open House Night, you were getting PIZZA FOR DINNER!!! Yay!!!  P.S. this still happens even when you’re 22.

19)  You really were forced to do your daily 30 minutes of homework a night in elementary school.

20)  You got tummy time as a baby.

21)  You had a picture schedule growing up that was clearly posted in your bedroom.

22)  You never saw your educator parent during IEP season.  IEP season always stunk because that meant my dad would cook.  This lasted about 3 days (and 3 overcooked tortellini soup dinners) before we got take out. 

23)  You yourself are probably a teacher or future teacher.  Because what other job is as rewarding or important?   Answer?  Nothing. 

24)  You never had a problem scheduling observations during your own Teacher Candidate Training.

25)  You waited and counted down the days to Bring Your Child To Work Day because you got to pass out the paper and be your parent’s special helper.  No one passed out paper quite like me!  Rocked that!

26)  Children’s books were where you sought out guidance.  Your educator parent probably talked out the issue with you thoroughly and then handed you a perfectly chosen and aligned piece of literature with a character for you to emulate. 

27)  You still refer to children’s book’s characters for guidance and moral support.

28)  You wrote to authors as a child.

29)  Your teachers were your lifelong idols.

30)  Your play room was set up in centers.

31)  You had gender neutral toys to support fine and gross motor skills, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. 

32)  You entered school knowing how to read.

33)  You know that educators are the hardest working people in the biz.

34)  You parent had a behavior chart that you adhered to religiously. 

35)  You went to Disney over NJEA teacher’s convention.

36)  You were the first person to bring back your field trip parent chaperone form because you knew your educator parent had to apply and be approved for their personal days.

37)  You never went to summer camp.

38)  You couldn’t imagine (and wouldn’t want to) being raised by anyone other than an educator.  

This is just a short tongue in cheek look at the life of a "teacher kid" and I really could go on and on about the perks of being raised by an educator.

Have a fabulous night,

   Erin

Why Girlfriends Are Worth Their Weight in Gold

      In my opinion, there is only way sure fire way to lock in lifelong happiness.  That is to surround yourself with amazing friends.  Good girlfriends have been my lifeline since I can't even remember.  There is a great Sex and The City quote that reads, "maybe we could be each other's soul mates and then we can let men be just these great, nice guys to have fun with."  And I COMPLETELY agree!  Shocking, I know, that I agree 100% with the ideology of Sex and The City lol.  But this past week really just reaffirmed everything I believe in.  This past week, I spent a considerable amount of time with my closest friends.  I am lucky that TCNJ has a wonderful special education program.  One of the perks of this program is that it is very selective.  There are only about 45 girls in this program and I'm very luck to count many of these women as my closest friends.  Some of my favorite times are when my 4 girlfriends and I drive the hour to observation every Wednesday. *At TCNJ we are required to observe a classroom once a week for 3 hours* I am not a morning person and therefore the idea of waking up at 6 am and talking to people is not exactly one of my favorite things.  However, with these friends, I actually look FORWARD to waking up at 6!  We just talk the whole time about silly, random, mildly inappropriate topics and LAUGH.  It is nothing but laughter for the entire hour drive there and the entire hour back.  I love spending time with these girls.  The key to finding good girlfriends is finding people who make you laugh and who judge you for NOT being ridiculous.  I can literally say anything to these girls and know that they will not judge me and will give me honest feedback mixed in with light hearted jabs.  Light hearted jabs are essential in keeping good girlfriend relationships strong and lasting.  

      This week we had to go to a Kappa Delta Pi fundraiser.  No we're not sorority girls, we're honor society girls...yes we're just that cool.  Kappa Delta Pi is the international honor society for education majors.  KDP fundraisers are always the best because they generally involve eating which is something I am very good at.  This time we went to Applebee's!  Applebee's is one of the most delicious restaurants in the entire world.  We went for half apps (southern bbq wings are the best!) and drinks.  I loooooove Applebee's Red Apple Sangria!! It is seriously soooo good!  Wings and Sangria?  These are fundraisers I can get on board with.  So much better then the magazine selling fundraisers I endured as an elementary student.  The whole meal, drink and wings cost under $10.  Great for poor college kids!  After sharing appetizers and laughs for a few hours we all went home and got ready for observations the next day.  

     That Saturday, my friends and I went to Princeton to help sign in teams for Light the Night.  Light the Night is a charity that sponsors twilight walks with the money raised going to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  This was our first time attending an LLS event.  It was a beautiful night.  Teams who attend are encouraged to raise money and then walk around a designated path holding balloons with lights in them.  It was a beautiful ceremony and we were lucky to be a part of it.  Our job was to sign in all the teams and hand out tickets for t-shirts, balloons, and food.  It was truly inspirational to see all the survivors walking and all of their caregivers/friends/family/co-workers/and colleagues.  It definitely touched my heart.

Corinne and I at Light the Night!  She also helps me survive history

 Molly and Sam at Winberies

 Sam and me at Light the Night

 Jaclyn and me...I love my co!!

Mahi Mahi=Yummy Yummy

     After working at the booth, we again indulged in our favorite past time...EATING!  We love Winberies and after sitting outside for 5 hours in the declining temperatures, we were just happy to be warm.  Good girlfriends and comfort food are essential to making life worth living.  After hours of eating, laughing, and acquiring stares from neighboring tables (we like to think that they haven't experienced such hilarious individuals) we had to go back home.  I really love my girlfriends and always count them among my biggest blessings in life.  That is just one of the many reasons why TCNJ was a great choice for me.  TCNJ may not have anything going on most weekends, but they did a great job in selecting good people to fill the Special Education department with!