Why I Dislike the First Day of School

Today marks the first day of school for all the public schoolers in our neighborhood.  Tomorrow, I meet my college students face-to-face.  This might come as a surprise, but I hate dislike the first day of school.  Yep, I'm a teacher and I just admitted it.  Here's why.

I teach because I like connecting with students.  Building a bond.  Building a relationship with students - the easy ones and the hard ones.  You know the hard ones.  The ones who don't trust you until one week before the semester ends.  The ones who never smile in your class even though you know that story you just told was funny.  The ones that make you realize the best things in life are worth your time and effort.

I teach because I want my students to know I care.  I genuinely want them to succeed and grow. John Maxwell's quote sums this up, "Students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  I care completely.  Most times too much.

So, tomorrow, college students, when I meet you for the first time, please know that behind my cup of Earl Grey tea, I am really excited to meet you.  I just prefer the second week of school.  You know.  When we know each other a touch more.  When we are more connected.

Deep breath.  Happy school year.

Jen

Back-to-school Party

My very talented cousin, Cheryl, has a Back-to-School series on her blog right now.  Check out her posts on throwing a back-to-school party (photo above), fun (and inexpensive) teacher gifts here and here, and if you adore chalkboard paint, see Cheryl's post on throwing a chalkboard party, too.  Did you know Joann's sells chalkboard fabric?!  I need some.....

Jen

Oh Happy Fruit

(Image from Oh Happy Day)

Since Mr. UpCyclist, Lil O and I all bring a packed lunch to school/work daily, I might need to try this cute sticker idea during the school year.

Thanks, Oh Happy Day, for sharing it!

Jen

Thank you, Breck

Dear Summer in Breckenridge, CO,

Thank you for providing cool temperatures, tons of interesting activities, welcoming our sweet puppy, Jedi, and making all four of us smile from the inside out.

We so enjoyed our two months with you.

With love & gratitude,

Jen

PS - The photos below are from our last day there.  

Mountain biking as a family......

The riders - Mr. UpCyclist, Jedi and Lil O.  Jen on camera balancing on a log to take this shot.....

Celebratory slurpees with another new straw!  You remember how cute the last straw is, right?  Dinner in town and Jedi joined us on the restaurant's deck. Breckenridge, no one does flowers like you do.  Please thank the gardeners and watering cart gals who keep the town looking so delightful.

Finally, a "couples" photo.  Lil O just loved playing in the river and jumping off rocks.  Actually, we all loved playing in the river and jumping (or sitting) on rocks.

Oh, how I love these people photographed above and that furry hound in that special town.  Now, time to unfreeze my mind and meld back into Merryland - typo, completely intentional.

Unfreeze Your Mind

My last few days in Colorado and I'm attempting to wean myself back to reality.  I'm working more, preparing for fall classes, and brainstorming how I can slip back into my Maryland life with a positive attitude.  I just adore Colorado and Breckenridge - its cool weather, healthy lifestyle, dog-friendly everything, and the convenience of walking everywhere.  Hmmm...what's a girl to do?

As I was preparing for an upcoming workshop I'm giving, I stumbled upon Kurt Lewin's change model.  It is exactly what I need to embrace in order to leave Colorado and slip back into my Maryland life, happily.

Phase One:  Unfreeze your mind.  Yes, you heard me.  Unfreeze it.  Let that mind of yours thaw.  In this phase you prepare for change and decide a change in behavior, attitude, thought, or feeling is necessary to succeed.  This phase reminds me of having an open mind.  I can do that.  I like open minds.  Hello mind, time to unfreeze, k?

Phase Two:  Change.  In this phase you actually do the changing.  You embrace that new behavior, attitude, thought or feeling and let it emerge and be.  Of course, this part of the model is the scariest especially if you are like me and tend to resist change.  I imagine good friends and family would be very helpful during this phase.  Did you hear me Maryland friends and family?  I need your help.  Help me find all the good in Maryland and my life there.  PS - Students, I bet you could help me, too. You always make me smile.  And laugh.  And push me to be the best I can be.  And laugh some more.

Phase Three:  Refreeze your mind.  This step is important Lewin's says because if you don't refreeze your mind, there is a chance you could slip back into your old ways.  Whatever your new behavior,  attitude, thought, or feeling is needs to be your new norm.  Which means I need to embrace that I can have a great life in Colorado and in Maryland.

Where am I in all this?  I'm still in Phase One.  My mind is unfreezing and I know change is on the horizon.

You?

Jen