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Grateful Always

NOTE: This post is not about technology, but one is coming soon.

Thinking about the most wonderful time of the year has caused me to reflect a lot on 2017 in the past three days I've been off and not working. In 2017, I have experienced heartbreak, seen my best friend from college and brother get married, mourned the loss of my sweet grandmother whom I was so fortunate to see just a few days before she passed, and most importantly, been given the opportunity of a lifetime on August 15th when I started at St. Anthony Catholic School.   I can remember watching Legally Blonde exactly eight months ago on a Sunday night after a week of crying, venting and just feeling hurt, confused and betrayed. The song "So Much Better" perfectly describes how I felt until a few days ago. It felt a lot like when I left my job in Boerne. I wondered how could something that made me so happy cause me so much pain? A little over eight months later, I can honestly say I am not that same girl. The end of March-mid-August was a painful time for me full of self-doubt. I can remember the words, "You will never teach again" being said to me and I could not be more thankful that I have gotten rid of all the negative people in my life.

On August 11th, my life changed when I interviewed for a fifth grade math, science, and social studies position at a school in the Archdiocese. I remember examining the standards for 5th grade in detail to make sure I was capable of teaching them before my interview. When I left the school that afternoon, I knew St. Anthony Catholic School was a place I wanted to teach. Three days later, I received a call saying I had been hired. I was ecstatic! I never thought I would love teaching fifth grade so much.  I am a writer, reader and performer at heart, so math and science terrified me. It no longer does. My students, though they have a proclivity to not turn in their work and talk because they've been together since Pre-K, make me happy to go to school everyday. In general they are just awesome kids. I never thought I'd have so much fun teaching (even if it includes math). I used to want to teach kindergarten or second grade, but that is no longer the case. I have so much support around me, I get to teach how I want without the pressure of STAAR and I feel like the good teacher (wanting to get even better) that I know I am.

Thinking about going back to school now, I am so excited to spend 3 and a half weeks with my students during this holiday season. I am so glad I get to be in a place where Christmas really is "magical" and see the cute Christmas activities our littlest students do in their classes. Having finished planning the rest of this semester on Wednesday, I am excited to also enjoy this season. New experiences are coming and I could not be more grateful.

Love,
Elle

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