First Day of School

Well it the day finally came. Wesley has started big school! Granted, she is in the preK room, so I tried not to get too sentimental because it's not kindergarten yet.... but it's still school. She is at my school this year and we have made a whole week. Which is a miracle, let me tell ya! I barely make it out the door with all I need everyday, and now there's two of us! Matt may have driven to Bartlett twice this week, already, to bring things for us. Thank goodness we have the most organized and patient husband/daddy ever!


Here are a few shots from our first day as a Singerella Sea Turtle (Class mascot).

First time she has ever been up and dressed by 6:50am!

Already sick of pictures and mommy just started.

Showing off her sea turtle necklace from Gamma.

Daddy drove her and walked her in the first day.

The eyes say make it stop people.

We're here!

Looking for our name.

Already busy, no tears, no big deal.

Schools out! The backpack is bigger than she is!

One more grin for Mom!

When we got home we realized the back to school fairy had visited! You know she only comes on the first day of school each year. The picture is really blurry because someone was just too excited to play with her princess present, and she was also D-O-N-E complying with the photographer.

How were your first days back? Everyone liking their new schools/teachers? 

Moving on Up!

A couple of weeks ago my sweet Penguin graduated from daycare! This is exciting on so many levels not least of which is the payment that stops coming out the first of every month.

I will admit I got a bit emotional the last day I picked her up. It was sad to think I would never bring her in to the place she had been for 3 1/2 years. I love Idlewild Children's Center. They have been excellent for us and so loving to my sweet girl. So yeah, I got a little verklempt.

So join me on a trip down memory lane.

First Day as a Unicorn

First Day as a Toucan

First day as a Koala

Followed quickly by First day as a Penguin

Followed by our last day as a Penguin

On to Mommy's school to be a Sea Turtle!!

Christmas Program Time

As a music teacher it is to my ultimate joy and delight to plan a program. This year, for Christmas,  I planned 1 and 1/2 and got to go to a pretty darn cute one I didn't have to plan!

The one I did direct this year was called "Elfis Impersonator" It was the story of a strange looking elf who never stopped singing and dancing and had trouble fitting in at the North Pole. The other elves accused him of being an impersonator! Of course they all learn their lesson that we must except others differences and not judge a book by its cover etc. Too cute!

In the show we had 19 speakers, 18 guitars, 40 chorus members, 3 third grade classes, two Christmas trees and an Elvis Impersonator. It was a huge production, but well worth it. Everyone seemed to love it.


The show I did not direct was even cuter though. Mostly because of the little girl in it. I'm partial! Here are a couple of short videos from Wee's Christmas production.

Yep, I'm proud! This is the first year she has really sung. In years past she has just stood there, one year she even held her hands over her face the whole time. So we've come a long way.

And finally, my last Christmas music presentation I only count as a half. Not because of it's meaning to me, but because of the sweet angels in it. You see, it will be our first time to have the children sing in worship at church and we are a young church, so most of our children are very young. The biggest age group is the 1-3 range so there isn't a whole lot of understandable singing going on. But they are adorable. Unfortunately, I did not get very many shots of this one, because we were herding the babies in and out which is a lot like herding wet cats so there is no chance to stop and take a picture. Here are a couple I stole from the interweb.

 Merry Christmas!

Little Boy Blue

If you haven't noticed, a few of my friends are having babies...by a few I mean 9. And I love all of these ladies and their precious angels, so we always have to celebrate them in style. Here is a quick look at the latest and greatest.

The theme was "Nursery Rhymes"

Our invite, courtesy of you-know-who

The decorations are not quite up to my regular standard, but just hear me out, school showers are held in a science lab y'all. AND "they" expect us to teach the whole day and then the shower starts directly after school. So we all would run and decorate for 15 mins at a time separately and at 3:15 it just was what it was. The theme was there, and we did our best. I think it turned out really cute, despite our limitations.

We used nursery rhyme posters we already had in the music room collection, cause that's how we roll.

And we Eliza, adorned the food table with cute nursery rhyme allusions to describe all of our goodies.

Jack and Jill....drink table

Pat-a-cake

How does your garden grow? Veggies and dip.

Peter picked a pack of pickled peppers

This little piggy had roast beef, This little piggy had none...

There are no actual pictures of us with the mom-to-be for a couple reasons. One it was a little chaotic as 60 people came in from dismissal duty and started making plates and socializing. And two it was pajama day at school, so we were all looking a little sloppy and no one wanted their picture taken. 

We figured out in the middle of the shower, it was actually perfect that the nursery rhyme shower ended up on pj day, we could have all gotten cute matching pjs with cows jumping over the moon, or little lambs etc. But, none of us thought of that until the shower. Oh well, next time!

Happy Baby Boy "Murph!"

Wordless Wednesday-New Year, New Room

Look away, a post about the schools...

So with the upcoming merger and municipal schools vote and (blah blah blah) coming up, a lot of people have asked me how I feel. You people should know better. If I lose friends over this, well, it's been real.

Let's start with the obvious. Our city's children have so many more problems than the schools can address. So let me tell you why I think we are not doing what we should for these children - you know, the ones that we as teachers have signed up to serve.

1. Because of the rigorous, nationally mandated testing, teachers are having to teach so much material in so little time, they do not have time to focus on the "whole" child. Their jobs are literally on the line if these kids don't "pass the test." So heaven forbid you miss a math lesson to talk to a child one-on-one. And even if you wanted to, where are the other 25 troubled children while you do that?

2. We are not equipped emotionally (i.e. we burn out b/c of harsh conditions) to deal with these kids needs and meet them where they are. Every child has a story - EVERY. CHILD. But what do we do (can we do) with their story? Personally, I am not equipped to help every child in a tough spot.  But in the city schools you have a class of 30 kids, and every one needs you to be their mother, father, pastor, nurse and, oh yeah, teach them to read. And your heart aches for these babies. So we burn out.

So those are my obvious observations about the "failing" school system everyone is so terrified to join up with. And it's fair to be scared, by the way. I think fear is a valid emotion in all of this. But it doesn't mean we don't act.

Here are my reasons for continuing to teach in the public schools (and yes, send my baby girl to public schools next year).

I have a giant soapbox about public schools, because it is so obviously a vicious cycle - one that we have to be brave enough to break. Here's the deal - if all the "good" families pull their children out of the public schools, then all that is left are the children that have zero support, zero interest, and zero hope. 

This means that the schools and teachers feel like they are fighting a losing battle trying to educate these students, and often, they eventually burn out and give up (which I believe is happening in Memphis, to an extent). And as a parent, I get it - no one wants to let their baby be the guinea pig. It's scary. It is. 

But what if these kids were surrounded by other students that cared about school, or at least had a chance? They could see that there is more out there. There is a reason to care about school. And the teachers would have some support. The community is what fixes the schools. The people. No amount of money, given to the school board to buy computers, can fix a broken community. And make no mistake, Memphis is broken. I love it so,  I want so much more for it, but it is broken. And here's the kicker (been nice knowin' yah) - making more school systems only makes it worse.

By splintering off and dividing our assets, be them human or financial, I believe we are dooming these children. We are driving a fresh wedge between races and tax brackets. And I do not believe that is fair, nor is it what I am called for.

I think the decisions made should be based solely on the best interests of children, the ones who are innocent in all of this. Sure, the way that the merger came about was shady (at best). And there are some people involved in this initiative that were/are only looking out for themselves (not naming names). But I think the knee jerk, fear-based reaction to just build wall around your city and run away from helping all the children of Shelby County - all of them - is wrong.

There will be more school systems, and it probably won't ever be unified. I know this, and I wish them well - I really, really do. To be honest, I liked things the way they are. I like the two systems, and I like my job. But it's clear that things will not be the same in two years, and I just know I want to be were I'm called. 

And it isn't behind a wall.

Teacher gifts and Koala Kid

It is the end of another school year! I really had a fabulous school year, and I know Wesley did too.

The toucan year started a little on the "Rocky" side, but she quickly fell in line and learned a lot along the way.

May 2011

This time last year I was super sad about my baby moving up from the one year old class to the twos. I could not believe she would no longer be one of the littlest ones at the school. But now that she is potty trained, can dress herself (sometimes not helpful) and just all around more independent I really dig having a big kid.

So when we got to the end of this year I wasn't as sentimental as last time. Plus, there is only one class each age group, so all her friends move with her!

Before we went I had to do a little something to show her teachers how much we love them. As a teacher, I am always sensitive to what I get for other teachers, no teacher needs 15 bath salt kits. Personalized gifts are always the most fun to receive, because it took thought and planning. And just a tip to you parents worrying about it, the card truly is the most important part, not how much you spent on a gift. I read every one.

For Wesley's teachers I got colorful tote bags and appliqued their initial on front. Then I filled each one with waters, drink mix packets, snacks, and flip flops to get summer started off right! I thought they ended up really cute. And of course a sweet note was attached.

Once I was done with the Toucan teacher gifts I realized I didn't have a toucan anymore, I had a koala! So of course Wes needed a koala shirt to make a good impression on her first day.

May 2012

I can't wait to see what she will learn this year. They have already started identifying all the letters and learning how to hold a pencil and they have only been there 1 week! She told me she cannot even visit the Toucan classroom because she is too big. I think I agree. Happy Promotion to all!

Rushing the days away

As a teacher, of course I get excited about May, last month of school, beautiful weather, etc. But, like other teachers, I also notice myself wishing my days away. With countdowns and quick shout outs  "Hey, only 2 more Monday's" in the hallway. And I wonder is this harmless human nature or harmful mind tricks. Am I looking forward to a break or living in a state of discontent?

But how can I not look forward to June? No alarm clock, endless days with my girl, summer adventures, weddings, beach trips, picnics. It's really hard not to cross off the 13 1/2 days left (not that I'm counting) with a giant red marker.

And yet I am noticing it makes me sound so ungrateful. Summer is only 8 weeks long (cue the non-teachers, "I wish I got eight weeks off every year") Seriously, this job is super hard most days. Shaping and educating children is hard, and getting harder with new laws and mergers and lack of family support more and more. And so eight weeks does not make or break my profession. So why do we hold it as the end all be all? Should't I be content that I have a job I love? Should't I think "Thank you God for letting me have 13 more days to show these children someone cares about them, that I love them." ?

That is my prayer today.

Help me to stop wishing my days away for something better. Thank you God for today and help me enjoy it. And have mercy on me for getting over excited about beach trips and lazy days.

All I Do is Win

This week I took a group of 5th graders to perform for a teacher conference. I thought they did a great job! We did three songs, but this was my favorite.

Thank you to my amazing husband, who mixed the music for me, so that I could use it with the kiddos.

Witty Wednesday

Here are a few funny things I have heard at school already this year.

Day 3, during class, Kindergartener "Mrs. Washburn, you look like you smell good!" (from across the room, no less)

Day 7, carline dismissal (numbered spots to stand on to get into the correct car), me to Kindergartener that is wandering the sidewalk "Do you know your number?" blank stare. "Are you #1?" K-" No I'm five!" (as in yrs old)

Day 8, carline arrival, First grader "I can't get out and go to school, I'm not allowed in the rain!"

Back to School

Part of the fun of going back to school is decorating my classroom.

Every May, we have to take down everything and pack it up, so it truly feels like a fresh start every August. As some of you know, I was in a portable last year and did not enjoy it. So decorating was not as fun. I did the best I could for a trailer.

Needless to say, this year I was especially excited to plan my big bright shiny room in the building.

I didn't want to put up my same tired posters and rules. I mean they are 9 years old now. NINE YEARS OLD. I have been teaching long enough to go to college and graduate TWICE, and switch my major once or twice.

Around the same time I was planning my room, I was also developing an unhealthy obsession with Pinterest. Which is chocked full of ideas for decorating and such! And a slew of inspiring quotes. Which I decided would be my theme this year. Because what more do you need in music class then inspiration.

One kink in my decorating fervor is that our school got painted this summer. You would think that was great because all the walls look shiny and new. But alas, what it means for teachers is-- no tape on the walls. Or glue or stick tac. Nothing. So you have to be super creative about putting things on display. We do have bulletin boards that we can staple into, but only two.

My solution was to have my amazing graphic designer, a.k.a. my husband, design great posters to go with my uplifting quotes. Then I would have them blown up large enough that I could hang them from the ceiling with clips. Well Matt did his part--above and beyond. Seriously people, he is amazing. Then I jumped online to Kinko's to send the files over for printing. That's when I discovered color posters are 39.99 EACH. Dude. Unacceptable. Long story short, after some shopping and a handy dandy teacher badge we got them printed at Office Depot for about the cost of one at Kinko's!

So here you go. My new class. My theme is:: inspiration in turquoise, spring green and yellow, with black accents.

Sorry for the glare, darn fluorescent lights....

Happy school year!!