Career News

I consider this blog my journal and today is worthy of a post. A career milestone happened today that is such a high honor and I don't want to ever forget the details.

I was named Teacher of the Year at my school.

I am completely in shock that I get to represent my school which is full of the most amazing teachers ever. A little celebration was held after school for the Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year. I consider myself a very outgoing person but when all eyes are on me, I get really shy. It was and will continue to be a humbling experience for the year ahead.

Mr. Finch received Support Staff Member of the Year

Me with the current Teacher of the Year, Ms. Wiggins

I've wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. When I got my first real job in 2009 I was thrown into a crazy situation. I'll spare all the details but I almost quit teaching for good.

Instead I found myself in graduate school getting my MLS degree in public and school libraries. Right before I graduated, I got a job as an elementary school media specialist. I was more than ready to step into this new career with full force which still included teaching. My first year was hard. Looking back I clearly see why. I cared so much. I know that may sound like a great thing but I was also neglecting my own health because I cared so much. If a lesson plan went sour, I stayed super late to make it perfect. I would lay awake at night worrying about my students and trying to figure out all the best methods for success with them.

None of that is bad and I still do that every now and then but I eventually learned how to balance the demands of teaching differently. Mostly I learned to just take some pressure off myself. Things are going to go wrong and that is okay. It is how I react that matters. I've learned that every child needs encouragement and love above all else. If I ever lose the desire to care, encourage or love, then I will know something is very wrong.

Now…just for fun here is a little backstory leading up to today.

I actually found out a few weeks ago that I was nominated and this is the (blurry) picture I sent Todd after school that day.

That is my "isn't this news crazy yet awesome" face. I was just so honored to be nominated. Complete shock. That night we went out to celebrate by getting milkshakes.  

This man y'all…he has been with me through all my teaching ups and downs. So thankful I've had him beside me to help in so many ways. Thanks babe!

-Sara

Thankful for...a job!

Photo from here

Ha, so true! Being an intern in a school library and in my graduate classes, I have realized that libraries are always evolving. Libraries certainly are not what they used to be when most of us were kids but that doesn't mean we have to ditch the idea all together. As a librarian, I'm learning how vital of a resource we are to students and adults. In schools, we teach students how to use 21st century technology skills and guess what....kids still READ so books do remain on the shelves! I feel as if some people vision that libraries should get the X and just give all the kids e-readers. Oh boy, don't get me started because libraries can be a great learning hub when teachers collaborate effectively and I've heard about super cool things going on at libraries all over the country. I'll stop my ranting on how amazing libraries are or how nerdy I am for loving them.

Seriously, I lurveeee going to my internship. The job is fast paced and I love connecting with all the students. Not to mention it involves one of my favorite things to do: organizing.  It is such a comforting feeling for me to find something that I feel good about and worth investing in. This semester has gone by incredibly fast and I only have a few more weeks in my internship.

When I first started the internship, my mentor which is the current librarian, told me she was pregnant. As the weeks progressed, I was asked if I would be interested in doing an interim to cover while she was on maternity leave. I was honored they asked and even more thrilled to get the opportunity to gain even more experience. The position starts in March so until then I'll keep working my job on campus and doing my schoolwork so I can graduate in May. I'm so thankful that I'm already getting to know the students so well and gaining their trust. Plus an added bonus is two wonderful friends (shout out to my queens!) of mine also teach at that school. Everyone is so nice and helpful! I still have lots to learn (always will!) but I'm very eager and willing to dive into this head first. I'll keep you all posted whenever it starts and probably do more babbling sharing of how libraries are very special places.

Happy Wednesday...you're almost to the weekend!! Cheers!

-Sara