Since I returned to teaching full time, I have been unable to take the time off work to attend Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference. I will admit that it would be much more fun to be in Houston, Texas right now. Instead, I have been researching strategies and activities for lesson plans I can use to prepare my students for TCAP this semester.
I was proud to learn that Shelli Gardner, who was injured in a horse back riding accident a few months ago, was able to attend and speak at Leadership! God is good!
What I love most about Leadership is the smaller crowd, so I can really connect with new friends and fellow demonstrators. I also enjoy the classes better than at convention.
What am I missing most right now? I would say it is my friend, Angela Sylvester. I am sure she is taking great notes of all the announcements and new product features for me, but I wish we could have gone country line dancing again like we did in Salt Lake City this past summer. Even with her notes, I doubt I will have much time to actually use the ideas because teaching requires every free moment I have. Being a single parent is challenging, and I take each day as it comes....attempting it with grace and style but I fall flat almost daily. The good news...I pick myself up!
Leadership brings big excitement, idea overload, shopping galore, and a new city to explore! As I write this blog entry, I sit in my pajamas with my pup lying behind me, nestled between the chair back and me. The heater is on full blast in my office, and my hands are FREEZING! How does this happen? I guess poor circulation is the problem because I could use another pair of socks too. LOL
If I can't attend Leadership, I am fortunate to other demonstrators and Stampin' Up! for bringing Leadership home to me. I would much rather imagine I am about to eat at this table rather than grab a peanut butter and banana sandwich to snack on in a few minutes!
There have been many announcements to include Blendabilities, markers similar to the Copic blending markers. I am excited to see the photpolymer personalized stamps that will be coming soon. Apparently these will not have the horrid odor of the previous rubber design, and these will be less expensive and offer more designs. I hope so! I know there were more announcements, but that is what I have heard so far.
Stampin' Up! has definitely enriched my life, and I have met some amazing women and lifelong friends. Although I haven't kept in touch like I should, I know they will forgive me and reconnect when we get the chance. Stamping and scrapbooking have been creative therapy, instant craftification, empowerment, and a sense of pride in my life. Thanks to each and every one of you who have joined me on this ride. I am no where near ready to get off, and I hope my future will allow this amazing craft, hobby, business, and much more become a larger part of my life in the near future.
At this time, my future is unsure. I am giving the plan to God. I have made the decision to look for employment closer to the Nashville area, near family, this summer. I plan to apply at schools, but I am also open to other options as teaching school is NOT what the public believes. It has changed greatly since your school days, with testing expectations that even teachers can't pass but are required to adminster to students (writing assessment on the computer, one hour window to read two complex texts and TYPE one to two essay responses).
My students mean so much to me, and I can't imagine not teaching full time. I was born to learn something new everyday, and I love helping others when possible. My students have grown and learned so much, but we have a long way to go. We have had four new ones recently, and I expect several more in the next couple weeks. I welcome them all! I will continue to work way past midnight writing assessments and extremely detailed lesson plans, researching strategies and you tube videos, grading papers, assessing academic data, forming small groups, creating anchor charts, designing RTI games and activities, and so much more. I am definitely looking forward to my summer adventure, and I will do my best not to lose track of time and forget to live a few hours of a personal life and mother along the way. God comes first, and He knows the plans He has made for me. May God bless and keep you close.
