Where I was 5 years ago

I'm linking up again with Miss Monica from I Heart Grade 3 to share where I was 5 years ago. Apologies in advance for the "boring" post as there were no exciting tales of travelling or adventures in the summer of 2010 (come back next year for the summer of 2011!).

Oreo kisses x x

My son was born 6 years ago in March.  For any of you not from Canada, we get 12 months off for Maternity Leave. I didn't see the point in going back to work from March to May and then be off again from July and August but still have to pay for full time daycare (at the time it was $45 a day). So, I decided to extend my maternity leave until September.

Watching big brother on a very hot day in July

It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

My son had some health issues and he was still nursing at the time of his first birthday. We definitely both needed to stay at home for a little while longer.  He wasn't even close to sleeping through the night yet for one thing.  No need to talk about the effects of sleep deprivation to any other parent reading this.  His father and I like to refer to those two first years as "the dark times".

No make-up, house is a mess, my little guy is in my arms...yep, just a regular day for us back in 2010

Five summers ago I was extremely anxious about going back to work. I was moved into a new grade level and a new room while on Maternity leave so I had a lot to get ready for. Plus, I honestly thought that I wouldn't be able to connect with my students as well as I used to.

Boy, was I ever wrong about that.

Although becoming a mother changed my priorities, it also helped me realize how much I love my job. On the first day of school I always tell my students that we will be like a family for the next 10 months and that we really need to take care of each other.  I am so happy to be off for the summer but I also can't wait to meet my new bunch of students in September!

Until then, I'm soaking up being a full time Mom again and having the best time with my almost Grade One cutie. #timeflies

Rock Star Tips for Beginning Teachers

Few things are as exciting and nerve wracking as being a new teacher.  You have invested so much time and effort into learning all you can about the teaching profession and the time has finally come for you to get the keys to your very own classroom!  #pinchme

I am so excited to be linking up with Chandra from Teaching with Crayons and Curls to give you my I wish I was a Rock Star tips for beginning teachers.  I love the idea of helping out new teacher peeps!

So let's get to it :-)

1) Get to know the school custodian

2) Invest in a large filing cabinet (or more!)

3) Stock up on throat lozenges and buy a high quality thermal mug for hot drinks to sip on all day

1) Post things on Social Media without thinking
My friend Kristy over at 2 Peas and a Dog wrote an amazing blog post about Social Media tips for teachers.  You know it's good when Teachers Pay Teachers shares it on their Facebook page!

http://2peasandadog.blogspot.ca/2015/05/social-media-tips-for-teachers.html

2) Let school be all encompassing
My first year of teaching I taught English Immersion to an amazing group of 50 (two classes of 25) SK students in Tours, France.  I was so overwhelmed and had such an enormous sense of responsibility for those cuties, that I often stayed very late at work and went in on weekends. School/Life balance is a must!

1) Don't sweat the small stuff

Mistakes happen to us all so don't sweat the small stuff.  You'll feel embarrassed when you drop or break something in front of your class the first time (and chances are they will giggle!) so make a joke about it and move on.  No one is perfect and you are trying your best. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

If you are just starting out, or about to begin your 16th year of teaching like I am, I hope that you found at least one little nugget of wisdom in this post.  Here's wishing you an excellent rest of your summer and a wonderful start to your new school year!

Be sure to check out Chandra's link up for more tips from other teacher bloggers and make sure to follow them on social media too.

And, just in case you were wondering, if I was a rockstar I would be Shania Twain! #canadaproud