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December 2018 Book Reviews
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones An American Marriage is a novel about a young couple whose marriage is torn apart when the husband is tried and convicted of attacking a woman. As the reader, we know that he has been wrongfully accused as the narrator shows us that he was not there when it happened. And his wife and family know that he is innocent, but they struggle to prove it. When he finally is let out of prison after his lawyer proves he was wrongfully convicted (although it really doesn’t go into how this happened) his wife has moved on without him and we go through the journey…
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My Whole30 Must Haves!
I have spent years trying to negotiate with my stomach and make it cooperate. It has not been easy. After hearing from friends and family members about the Whole 30 program, I decided that I would try my first Whole 30! It was terrifying and challenging; I am not going to lie to you. But, I did it! Did I make some miraculous discoveries about my body and digestive system? No, unfortunately, I didn’t. But, I learned a lot about myself, my dependence on certain foods, and my cravings. Throughout my Whole 30, there were a few things that I couldn’t have lived without, some food products and some reference…
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5 Tips for Self-Care for Teachers
The school year can get rough. It is important that we take care of ourselves and keep ourselves healthy and relaxed. Here are my best tips for self-care. Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Teachers There is always that teacher on your floor that seems to have everything figured out. They have a perfectly decorated classroom, her class seems to behave like angels during assemblies, and she leaves work before the sun goes down every day. All you think is that if you could be a little more like her, things would be better. Humans have a habit of constantly comparing themselves to others. You want Carrie Underwood’s legs, a Kardashian…
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My March 2018 Book Reviews
I read two pretty good books this month and one dud. I was very excited that it was my turn to pick a book for book club and it was pretty well liked! And we never agree! The Identicals by Elin Hildebrand I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. In the past, I was a huge fan of Hildebrand’s work. She writes books that are fun, light, and entertaining. After reading many of her books, I started to get bored with them. But, I keep reading them. After reading The Rumor last year, I started falling in love with her work. The Identicals was an entertaining story of…
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5 Ways to Bring in Extra Cash
As a teacher, we’re not known for being in a profession where we’re making a ton of money. But like everyone I have bills to pay and want to still live a life I can enjoy. Because of this, I am always looking for ways to pick up some extra money. I have compiled a list of all the things I do or have done to bring in some extra spending cash. None of these are going to make you instantly rich, but if you put a little time into them, you can earn some side cash. 1. Start a Blog If I can start a blog, then anyone with…
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Tips to Protect Yourself this Cold & Flu Season
As a teacher, I am constantly worried about getting sick. You would think that with eighth-grade students who range from thirteen to fifteen, that they would be conscious of their germs. But, they’re not! The flu is going around HARD this year and so far, I’ve been lucky not to catch. I’m just hoping that I won’t catch it at all. If you are in the same boat as me, here are some tips I’ve found for keeping yourself healthy this cold and flu season. Clean, a lot! Over the summer there is always a time when Lysol wipes go on sale on Amazon. I buy a few boxes and…
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Tips for Time Management
There’s never enough time! I feel like any teacher can relate to the problem that there’s not enough time in the day to get everything done that we need to. This is not just a “teacher problem” but probably something a lot of people struggle with. Right now I am coming up to first-term progress reports for my students on IEPs, and I know just how time-consuming it will be to write progress notes for every goal for each student. On top of that, the rest of the world does not stop; I am still expected to be co-teaching, providing accommodations, modifying assignments, modifying their tests and quizzes, and continuing…
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Tips for a Successful Monday
If you are anything like me, you hate Mondays. After having a relaxing weekend filled with family and friends, you have to get up early again and start a new week. Here are a few tips to help you get your week started right, and have a successful Monday. Prepare on Friday When you leave on Friday, do not leave yourself heaping piles of paperwork and a messy desk. Before you leave, do your weekly cleaning. Before I leave for the day on Friday I make sure my room is ready for the following week. I start by cleaning all of my desks. It is cold season and with a…
