Oh No!

The conference was inspiring as usual, although I did feel some of the sessions only offered "dry" workshops, session 1 & 3 were very regulation bases.  2 & 4 had some great workshops.

I have discovered Enrique C. Feldman...OMG what an amazing man! His philosophies are awesome! He uses music in reading, story telling, and redirecting energy for the kiddos.  We, me and my daughter who was recently promoted to Lead for Two's also attended a puppet workshop.  Well , put it this way, I came home and spent a chunk of money on books, music, and puppets....gads..I was in the zone.  Now I cant wait to get my goodies.

Great vendors, lots of free stuff and important information. And I purchased 6 raffle tickets , 3 for me and 3 for my daughter.  She won!  A nice Lakeshore bag filled with goodies for her class.  She is doing automobiles now, and she also acquired a cardboard firetruck that is the little ones can get inside , they will love it.

We had lunch, talked , laughed, learned , and spent some quality time, it was GREAT!

I went bananas.....lol  What I purchased.

 

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Celebrate Young Child Conference

YaY!  Going to the Celebrate the Young Child Conference this Saturday!  Woot woot.

Not been to one in a few years, and very excited to be going, this year my daughter who was just promoted to Lead Teacher of 2 year olds is going with me.  We have a fun mom and daughter day planned.  I am really jazzed about the Storytelling and Puppets workshops.

Check out my new Site

 Check out my new ECE Site.



Home

Im Back!!! Woot Woot

So, after my debacle with the "center" last year, I swore of teaching for good.  I have been working from home in the IT world for Apple.  After a year of dealing with angry people, technical issues, and the isolation working form home involved I was craving to back into what I love.  Teaching!

I have decided to give it another go, this time I have tried my best to do my homework and accepted a postilion and what appears to be a early learning center.  I have accepted a Lead Mentor Teacher role and will  be working with Pre-k kiddos.  They use emergent curriculum and are part of Quality First with a 3 star rating!

I am both excited and anxious as it was made clear to me that class is need of some direction. Sounds like a challenge, and I sure hope I am up to the job! LoL

So, here I go again,  putting hopes into crayons and finger paints!  Keep up with me as I progress on this journey.

I resinged from the Libray

After careful thought I decided to resign, I could have milked FMLA, but I did not think it was fair to staff and kiddos.  I am battling some kidney stones issue and may need surgery.  I have had to use FMLA already to much, and truly want what is best for kiddos and staff.  So , with a heavy  heart I resigned and chose not to put everyone through my health crisis. It is ok, I can focus more on school for awhile.:)

Field Trip.......yeay?

So last Friday we went on field trip, I had forgotten how joyous these occasions can be!  Oye-Vay!

We went to see Mrs. Bunny and the Library.  I am not sure how the kids felt, but she scared the dickens out of me!  She told stories , did magic tricks , and gave out candy followed by an parade of children hopping like bunnies.  They loved it, she still scared me.

The children thought it was the best day ever.....at least Im glad that all effort was at least appreciated. Getting in the van, strapping in, getting out, counting heads, counting heads, taking roll, and more counting heads.  Staff had lunch waiting for them when we arrived back at the school, it was a nice thank you for the  hard work.  All is well that ends well.  :)

What do you think scary?  LoL  (she was actually delightful, but she did freak me out a bit)

Making Sensory Bags....FUN!

Today we, me and my daughter are making sensory bags for out class.  These bags are encompass, sensory, social -emotional, and just about anything else you can come up with!  Kids love them and they are cheap and easy to make.

1 gallon zipper bag
Hair Gell
Food Coloring (if desired)
Items to put inside bag
Scissors and packing tape.

Fill bag with hair gel, add coloring and items seal bag then double tape bag around all four edges.

**If your bag has a label printed on it, just wipe off with a little nail polish remover

The Mailbox Order Arrived!

Excited I got my order today.  Can you believe I got all this on Closeouts, and with my discount I only paid $2 for each piece, even the books!  What a great deal!

The Thematic Kits come already laminated and ready to use! I got one for me and one for my daughter for her class for her Birthday which is this coming week.

Finally found what I have been searching for...

So, after a 3 weeks of pure hell at the teaching position I had accepted, I found a real gem of a program tucked away down a small street in Peoria.  I feel as if I have visit early childhood heaven!

After 3 weeks of struggle and a not so desirable program (over ratio, under staffed, untrained and uncaring staff, breaking regulations and grant guidelines, having money stolen from my purse, "teachers" who slept during  work, no supplies not even crayons, over acceptable ratios, and just plain dirty and unhealthy practice, I set out to find something more toward my standards.  I prayed and wow, I really was blessed!

I found a little school, down a little street, in a little town with a high standards, great program, and well just about everything right!  If the first opportunity , I had to walk away from. was like being dropped in hell, this new opportunity is like stumbling into heaven- early childhood heaven.  Lovely staff, great administration, truly a high quality program that follows the grant guidelines for Pre-k, and icing on cake they serve great meals! 

I have a large well stocked classroom.  The ration is 1:10 (as it should be for this state sponsored program), we use Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold, and the staff is a wonderful team to work with.  The only drawback I have found is their shirts are not big enough for me...LOL.  And, well I guess that all in all is my own fault....Hahahaha.

I had some trepidation, after my last horrid experience and upon driving down an industrial street and seeing this small building tucked away surrounded by industrial yards and manufacturing buildings, however, once I was in the doors, it was like buying a $4 dollar clam and discovering a pearl inside!

What gem and I am so glad I stumbled upon it! This little school tucked away down a quiet street is truly all about the children. 

Learning Works Preschool 3 Star Quality First Program

Back to Work BLues and coughs, and sneezes, and radom viruses

Ok, so I expected to sick first week or so back in the class room. You have build up immunity ot your room.  I did not expect to get THIS sick.  Viral pnuemonia, viral bronchitis, and looks like a sinus infection settinging.  I spent 5 hours in E.R, fought with insurance to get medication, missed 2 days of work , really should be more like 4, but I just can't miss anymore.  All my hard work of week one is going down the tubes....grrr...

So, I have been home fighting with insurance, sleeping, drinking water, taking medications, and recovering. I just can't lay idle to long, so I got on the laptop and did some training hours.

Right now, I making some comfort food, a chicken and dressing casserole...smells good. Alas, the healing begins.

More to come as I can .....:)

I also purchased some Thieves oil for my class. If you have never heard of it, you just have to try it.  Is an essential Oil , Grade A blend that is antimicrobial , antibiotic, and antiseptic.  My class will smelling like cloves!  It is rather costly, however it works, and   you only a few drops.  It is the only thing I have found to actually cure a tooth abscess until you can get to dentist, this stuff is GOOOOD!