It is now the week before school starts. It has been a crazy week between setting up my classroom and doing VS work in between. At Chestnut Street we use mainly Light Units from CLP so this involves learning a new curriculum for me, ripping and sorting out tests for each unit and each grade and organizing them as well as lesson planning for the first few weeks of school.  Thankfully I had help in the form of two amazing ladies ( Kayla, a personal worker ...she also made my uniforms for school) and Cami ( one of the daughters of the host family). I also owe a huge shout out to my co-teacher ( Nina) next door in 3rd & 4th grade for letting me steal her post it notes constantly ( I now have my own set of multi-colored post it notes). It is amazing to think back on all that has gone into preparing this classroom. I still wonder if I am forgetting to do something haha!  None of this would of been possible with out team work. No teacher can function alone. Teachers need each other and assistants  to get everything accomplished. Please continue to pray for me and my fellow teachers this year as we shape the mind of the future. Monday is open house and Wednesday we begin school!

until next time

Desiree

                                       
                                                 The wonderful Miss Nina

                 
                                                       Miss Nina teaches 3rd & 4th grade

 
                                                         
                                 My own post it notes with an adorable post it note holder

 The amazing Kayla who helped me organize my Math text book ( which was loose bound) and some of my Light Units.

                                                     
                                                         My wall outside  my door

Section for praises and Tallys

VS unit life

Its been a half a week since I moved 4.5 hours north from my home in Hagerstown MD to Bradford PA to teach school and live in the VS unit. Life here seems almost a dream. In some ways I really like it and in other ways it is odd. Growing up I never had a large family or brothers and sisters so the family dynamics are all new to me. It's interesting to watch a family of 8 from day to day. In the VS unit there are 13 of us. The host family and 4 volunteers. We all seem to get along pretty well so far. The VS unit house is often a busy place with the church and house and school all in one place there are always people coming in and out. In all there are 13 of us. The host family (8) and us teachers and personal workers {4} Most days I get up go down stairs for breakfast and then head over to the school to work on my room which is buried in text books right now. I usually spend about 4 hours in my room setting it up and working on school things. So far I have it decorated, and half my text books sorted out.. I'm missing some curriculum still but I guess that can get sorted later. Anyways back to VS life. Really its like everything I've always wanted. I always look at families like Full house and wonderd what it would be like to live like that. Now I finally have my chance. I have a job that holds to the same values I do. This will be an interesting year for sure. Tomorrow is my first Sunday at Bradford mennonite church. I miss my church family back home but I am excited to meet my new one.

Till next time

Desiree