I'm a first grade teacher!

It's official, y'all! As of this morning, I am a first grade teacher! This was such a suspenseful 3 weeks since the interview and a lot practicing patience has happened. I believe I've said a little prayer every time I've thought about it, so every minute of every day? I had little hints here and there that I had the position, but nothing's official until it is...and it is!!

I'm beyond excited. I can't wait to meet the littles and settle into a classroom. I have so many ideas going through my head of what I want my classroom to look like. Y'all know I love a good "theme" in any room. I go tomorrow to see what classroom I will start my teaching career in!! *squeal*

I was telling a friend that during the entire interview I felt so at peace and heard. I knew that was where I was supposed to be. I'm so grateful! I'm bursting, y'all!

Read about this presh letter board here!

More exciting news...I go to turn in an application for my first apartment tomorrow! WHAT?! This week has turned into one giant blessing. Lots of milestones, emotions, planning. Again, I'm bursting, y'all! I toured this apartment last weekend and I think it's so perfect. It's less than 10 minutes from the school I will be teaching at (shoutout mom for the timing experiment) and only 30 minutes from my parents. Yes, that was a criteria. Most importantly, I've already mentally started decorated in my mind. *happy dance*

The apartment complex is in such a cute little nook of Leland, tucked away from the busy highway and tiny enough to feel homey, but large enough to feel a tad bigger than a shoebox. So many changes are coming within the next two months and I can't wait to see them unfold!

In the meantime, if you have any unwanted children's books, send them my way! I'm in the process of building a classroom library and any addition would be helpful and much appreciated. Stay tuned for classroom and apartment news!

Word Wednesday: Volume 2

If there's anything in life that I am not, it's patient (among other things including Beyoncé, a skilled chef, or an actual mermaid). Patience has always been something I've struggled to have with myself. I would have to say that I've struggled the most with it in the last 5 months.

I graduated from UNC Charlotte in December of last year with a degree in elementary education, in the middle of the public school year. I moved back home and began my job search with no luck. Until about a week ago, the job website has been scarce since I'm focusing the search between my county and the neighboring county. To say the least, the past few months have been trying and discouraging. Patience has been key and it. has. been. hard.

I've learned a lot about myself during this time including:

• It's okay to not have a "big girl" job as soon as you graduate
• It's okay that I didn't pass my licensure exams before I graduated (those things are passed now PRAISE)
• It's okay to live with your mama and daddy during this time
• It's okay to want bigger things for yourself
• It's okay to be anxious, nervous, and unsure at times
• It's okay to pray about the silly, little things (thinking in retrospect) along with the big stuff
• It's okay, girl

Looking back to where I was when I graduated and how hopeful I was stepping into this world, I need to get back to that girl. This time in limbo has helped me realize that not everything is going to be instant and certain and that's okay. It has been a blessing in disguise because I had time to focus on my licensure exams, really think about where I want to live, and where I want to focus my job search. I've had time to think about the fun stuff too, like how I want to decorate my first apartment or even the apartment picking process itself.

The hardest thing I have dealt with since graduation is having patience in knowing things are exactly where they should be. I know my job search is coming to an end soon. I've had the opportunity to grow as an adult and I know I'm going to have to make some tough decisions soon. This is the time to be frustrated with myself and that's okay.

A year from now I'll look back on this and realize that the frustration and patience and happy dances and job applications and arguments and tears and laughter and whispered prayers were all stepping stones. Girl, it's okay. YOU DID IT!

Meet Messi

Hello!

It's been a hot second since I've posted (the usual). Last time I left y'all, I had one month of student teaching left...now it's over! Student teaching went by faster than I ever expected it to. I formed such a bond with my class and my CT, my last day was probably the most emotional I have ever been! Tears and tears and hugs and tears. That's pretty much how the day went.

I was able to gain so much experience and knowledge from my time at Hidden Valley and in Charlotte. It's crazy to think graduation is TOMORROW! I graduate from COLLEGE in ONE DAY y'all! Crazy, crazy.

Photos by Laura Miller Photography (the best!!!)

As many of you know, I've always wanted a pup for graduation. It's always been at the top of my list. Who needs something to fill an apartment when a pup can fill your heart?? Amiright? So, immediately after moving my stuff out of my LAST dorm room, I went straight to the animal shelter! This is where Messi comes in...formally known as Misty.

A few weeks (probably months) before graduation, I had been sorting and searching through tons and tons of pup names. You can ask any friends, especially my sweet Mama, who had endured texts upon texts of name suggestions and "What do you think?" questions. The only thing missing was a dog! Obvi.

I settled on the name "Messi" (from 'Mesi'), because it means water. How perfect for my mermaid soul. From the start, I wanted a puppy. Fresh out the womb and ready to go. BUT, let's be honest- that wasn't realistic for my transition into "adulting" from a college student. 

My mom had sent me a "do something nice everyday in December calendar" at the beginning of the month and it just so happened to be "donate food to the local animal shelter day." How fitting! So off to the shelter we went! When I went into the shelter for the first time that day, Messi wasn't in her cage and she was being walked outside, so I didn't see her. I saw a few dogs that were super cute, but not for me. Mom and I donated our food and we left. A little disappointed, mom pulled up the animal shelter website for me and there Messi was! I wondered where she was, or if she had been adopted, so I called to double check. She was still there!

I rushed home and grabbed Harley (our Chihuahua) and we were off to the shelter for the second time that day. Messi and Harley met each other outside and they got along perfectly! When I say perfectly, I mean they sniffed each other and no growling or biting happened. Harley is still adjusting to a new dog at home, but Messi has settled in like she owns the place.

She had been on adoption row just shy of two weeks. The deputies there said she is a mix of Labrador and Golden Retriever, which I can see both. However, she has a bark like a hound dog and teeny tiny ears. So we think there is definitely something else in there! She is a new 3 year old and was an owner surrender. 

It's crazy how many tricks she knows! She's house trained and loves a good belly rub. She doesn't like the vet (especially the scale) and isn't a big fan of a harness either. She walks you, you don't walk her and she is strong! She can jump as high as I stand and loves treats. She's perfect in the car and the crate. Do I sound like a proud dog mama??

So there she is! She has settled in nicely and is already a part of the family, just ask MiMi and Pops how much they love her already. Our next big adventure is the beach when we can catch a warm day. Hopefully she lives up to her name!

   

4 More Mondays

Hello babes!

I am sitting here in awe of these last 3 1/2 years in Charlotte. As cliché as it sounds, it's amazing how fast time goes by. I only have 4 more Mondays of student teaching left. I've gotten my cap and gown and have taken my senior pictures. I'm tying up strings here and there as my time in Charlotte is coming to an end. It's crazy.

I've started getting my résumé together for potential future jobs and sifting through the DPI website for job openings. I'm beginning to mentally sort through my things that I can go ahead and take home before I officially move-out of my dorm for the last time in December. Things are getting real, y'all.

Student teaching has been a crazy, emotional, and rewarding learning experience. I've learned so much about myself in these last 2 1/2 months and I know these last few weeks are going to carry a lot of weight. I have grown very attached to my little 4th grade babies and my Cooperating Teacher has been extremely helpful and supportive! She has gone the extra mile to make sure I have everything I need and I could write a book with all the awesome advice she has given me. Literally, I should've been writing it all down for future reference. I'm so grateful for my student teaching placement! I'm wrapping up another chapter of my life and it's coming to a close: College is over in 34 short days.

*QUICK SUBJECT CHANGE TO PREVENT FURTHER SADNESS*

As usual, my BFF and forever roomie, Laura took my senior pictures! They say you meet your best friends in college and I would have to agree with "they." I'm crazy grateful for her (best)friendship and she is in almost every one of my college memories. If you're a Charlotte friend and need professional pictures taken, she is the one for you! Lar always does such a wonderful job and I think my mom has about 47 of her pictures framed around the house? Give or take. 

Back to reality I go, just wanted to pop-in for a tiny update.

P.S. If you see my parents, let them know I want a puppy for graduation. I have a hint my mom already knows, given the amount of pup posts I've tagged her in on Insta and Facebook. But, just to be sure.

My Last Dorm Room?!

Hey y'all! (written on 8/23/16)

It's that time of the year again! I'm all moved and settled into my dorm for MY LAST SEMESTER OF COLLEGE. Y'all, it's finally here. I will graduate FROM COLLEGE in December. This is unreal. 

I begin full-fledged Student Teaching 4th grade on Monday and to say I'm nervous is an understatement. I'm not really sure how I can sum it up into one word...maybe terrifiedexcitedscared? That should do it. Open house is tomorrow and I'm anxious to meet my students and their families! 

I am already adapting to teacher life. As in I'm showered, in my PJ's, and in bed already. It's pretty fantastic, I won't lie.

I wanted to share with you all my room this year! Before the semester gets too crazy, I snapped some pictures of my dorm room and some of my favorite decorations I used this year. I reused a lot of my decorations from last year, but it's a completely different vibe and I love it! 

I'm in a new dorm building this year. It's still apartment style and I have my own room. I share the kitchen and living room with my 3 roommates and the bathroom with 1 roommate. The best part about this apartment is it has a washer and dryer! The last 3 years I have had to go downstairs or down the hall to the laundry room. This is by far the newest/nicest building I have lived in on campus. The only thing I don't love are the beige walls. It makes it feel really dark!

These are a couple of panoramic shots. Click on them to enlarge the images. The walls are a lot less decorated than last year, which is something I'm trying to get used to! I'm debating on whether or not I want to add more to them.

I reused my curtains, throw pillows, rug (not pictured), lamp, throw blanket, bulletin board, and much of the wall decor. I changed out the pictures in my frames and this gallery wall is a different arrangement than the last!

These shots are of some of my favorite pieces on the gallery wall! Here's a breakdown:

Gold 5x7 Frames - Dollar Tree

'Save the Mermaids' 5x7 Print - Pinterest

Whale Tail Hook, 'Mermaids Please Enter' Arrow + Gold Antelope Head Hook - Hobby Lobby

4x6 White Frames + White Oval Hanging Mirror - Walmart

Turquoise North Carolina Painting, Navy Striped Canvases, +Wreath - DIY

All of these 5x7 prints are courtesy of Pinterest. I didn't go for a specific theme this year, I think I told my mom I was wanting a 'woodland mermaid' feeling? I made the intuition print, but I found the quote on Pinterest. I love the monkey quote, it's one my mom says all the time!

Lar and I made these headboards over the summer while I was living with her for summer school. They were super easy! It's poster board, quilt batting, lots of staples, and fabric. Lars' has a cute gold and white pineapple print! It was time consuming, but so worth it. I think it makes the room feel cozy. My bedspread + curtains are from Target.

This step stool has been with me since Freshman year. It's had what feels like 10 different lives! It's originally from Target and was lime green, hot pink, and navy. I think my mom pulled off 4 or 5 different pieces of fabric when we recovered it to match my head board this go around. I love it! The fabric is from Hobby Lobby.

I'll be living in this happy, little room for about 4 months. I still can't believe graduation is so soon. I'm sure you'll be seeing/hearing me write/say that a lot from now until then! I'll get back to you when I'm ready to adult.

So...I can call myself a senior in college now?

I'm a little embarrassed that my last post was in February...but, I can assure you that it has been my most difficult and busiest semester of college yet! So no worries, it wasn't like I was intentionally ignoring the gigantic fan-base I have through this blog. I hope you caught the sarcasm.

When I started this blog freshman year, I wanted to denote all of my awesome college experiences. Things didn't work out that way over the course of the next two years. Don't get me wrong, I love blogging and I love talking about myself, but keeping up with what to write about and what I've done is hard. My mom and I have been to several conferences in the past year and some of the hosts were professional bloggers. It's crazy how much work goes into one of their posts before they even begin writing. On that note, I had to do a little research through my Instagram and Facebook to see what I had done in the last 2 months that was blog-worthy (two whole sticky notes full of events to be exact), so let the blog post commence! 

February held my best friend, Sammy's bridal shower. The shower was so sweet and fun. Fast forward a bit. March was the month of Sammy's bachelorette weekend in Charlotte, NC. It was so fun and relaxing, not to mention how great it was to get away from some responsibility for a little bit. We spent the weekend at The Lazy 5 Ranch, which you faithful followers have seen on the blog before, exploring Charlotte, and going to the movies. Oh yeah, and the billion and a half trips to Amelie's Bakery Uptown. I know what you're thinking, that sounds like a wild time! It was to us! I had such a great time with Lou, Chels, Katie, and Sammy.

Sammy's BEAUTIFUL wedding was in April. It was a dream. The place, time, weather, couldn't of been more perfect. Also, if you're looking for bridesmaid dresses, I can't say enough wonderful things about the ones we wore! I loved it and would wear it every day. Check them out here. 

Photos by: Kelly Pyle

Around the time of February/March, Laura (roomie) and I started brainstorming. Brainstorming what? Well, if y'all remember, during our spring break of 2015, we moseyed our way up to New York and had the most dramatic time of our lives. So, we decided to make a-trip-a-year a new tradition. We stayed on the East coast last year, so we're venturing our way out to....Texas! In June, we're hopping on a plane and flying to the Lone Star State! This will be my first time ever on a plane and visiting Texas! Why Texas?

Throughout this whole school year, Laura and I would start our mornings eating Eggo waffles and watching HGTV. If you watch HGTV, you know of the couple Chip and JoJo Gaines. If you don't, you're missing out. They have a TV show called Fixer Upper and it's based in Texas. They are also the owners of the awesome store Magnolia Market. That's our main purpose in going, to visit Magnolia Market and explore Waco and Dallas, TX. Don't worry, I will blog all about it when we get back. It's a quick two day trip that, with the help of planning and planting a seed from Laura, my awesome parents have gifted me for my 21st birthday!

UNCC Housing Banquet, Laura + I

During March/April, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply for some scholarships being offered through UNC Charlotte. I turned in my applications and resumes, and with the help of my awesome boss , April, and sweet friend, Antoinette, my recommendation letters. I didn't think much of it for about a month, but I received notification about two weeks ago I was awarded a scholarship. It was one of the most exciting days! My mom and dad were able to come up and celebrate with me as I accepted the Michael G. Green Family Scholarship for Merit. I was thrilled my parents were able to be here! Around the same time I was applying for scholarships, I was invited to join the Kappa Delta Pi International Honors Society in Education. I will be inducted in tonight! Big things are happening this semester!

In June, I will be finishing up summer school in Charlotte. I have 1 class to complete before I begin student teaching in August! Luckily, awesome roomie Laura and her great parents live in Huntersville, about 20ish minutes away from campus. They are so sweet to let me stay with them while I am in summer school. I have 3 Foundations tests to take for teaching licensure this summer, my first one is at the end of this month and the last two are in June. Please say a quick prayer, or a dozen. These tests are no joke! Y'all, this is unreal. I will be graduating college in December! 

I'm currently in the process of packing up my dorm room. My final exams start next week and then I can call myself a SENIOR in college! What? When did this happen? I literally just started freshman year yesterday. Since I will be in Charlotte for a good chunk of summer, we have some fun things planned that I've never done the whole time I've lived here. It's crazy how 3 years can get away from you.

(Almost) 20 Tips from a College Junior

It has been a long 2 months since the last post. However, as you all know, I'm not very good at doing this on a regular basis. Exciting things are happening this semester. I have LESS than a year until I graduate! Ah! Deadlines are quickly approaching and it has been a lot little bit stressful. I have to take all 3 of my teacher licensure tests by August and then I begin my student teaching. I was placed in a 4th grade classroom and I couldn't be more excited about that! Then, I walk in December across the stage. MY OH MY!

So on that note, I have a few tips from a college junior:

1.  Junior year GOES BY SO FAST. Sophomore year was definitely the longest year ever. It was between getting directly into my major and finishing up my general education classes. Junior year on the other hand is going by like 200 miles an hour. Really remember these days.
2.  I have made the decision to not work during my senior year of college (technically, I can sort of considered myself a senior now, but that feels a little rushed.) I made a separate savings account to put some money a side each month, so I will have some change to spend during my last semester at UNCC. Make sure you're looking ahead and planning for financial reasons!
   
3. Don't be afraid if you don't feel like much of an adult yet. Y'all, last week I had my mom make my dentist appointment (and I may have asked her to make them for the rest of my life.) It's okay! I mean, as long as you're doing some adult things. Please have at least your first job by now, oh, and PLEASE be doing your own laundry. Don't rush growing up, but you are going to have to grow up.
4. Be considering where and what you're going to do after you graduate. I only have 1 semester of senior year unlike most people, so I have to think a little faster, but definitely start thinking about some long-term plans.
5. This is the year a lot of your friends start getting engaged and married. Don't sulk about your singleness, be happy for your friends and family! One of my best friends, Sammy, is getting married in April and I'm so excited to be apart of it. My brother, Drew, is getting married in August and that's so exciting! Be supportive and happy for those close to you.
6. Just like last year's tip, go home and visit! It gets even harder to leave home this year. Luckily, my sweet mama and daddy are coming to visit this weekend! I can't wait to see their faces.
7. Do something different this year. It doesn't have to be crazy or anything. I recently tried hot yoga with my friend Kelly and I'm going back again this Sunday! It was a really cool experience.
8. I'm still living on-campus and loving it. This is my second year in an on-campus apartment and the convenience is real. I recently registered for housing again and I will be living in another on-campus apartment this upcoming school year. Of course, shop your options, but I highly recommend on-campus living!
9. Checking the mail is still something I look forward to. Check your mail, but also send it! It will make someone's day and if you're lucky, they'll write you back!

   

   Hey Ma, please make my dentist appointments forever? Thanks, you're the best!

10. If anything, school work gets way more intense this year. I have friends working towards many different majors and I think they would say the same thing. Remember to stay focused and definitely make your to-do lists. They'll come in handy. 
11. TAKE PICTURES. We live in a time where we are so lucky to have technology. Well, it's a blessing and a curse, but you get it. Take pictures of things that mean something to you. You're going to want to look back on them later.
12. Make summer plans! I have to stick around for the first summer school session this year (one step closer to early graduation!), but I am lucky enough to have an awesome roomie to let me stay with her! Thanks Lar (and Mrs. Carolyn and Mr. Malcolm!) We're planning to do some fun stuff around Charlotte that I've never done before.

    

    Lar + I

13. I know I told you to consider future plans, but also make some fun future goals for yourself. Anyone that knows me can tell you that I want a puppy names Peaches after graduation. Silly things are still things to look forward to too!
14. Read some books, not just textbooks. Shout out to Mrs. Greear for letting my borrow See Me by Nicholas Sparks. Such a good read so far!
15. Organize your room (and don't forget to decorate either.) I bought a shoe rack this year and it has changed my life. I can actually see all of my shoes, hallelujah!  

For the sake of being too repetitive, I'm going to stop at 15. Just remember to pay attention to your life and enjoy the moment you're in. Wow, that was cheesy. I feel like I was just in my freshman year dorm room writing my first 20 tips post. 

Two weeks of an Almost-Teacher

Today marks the last day of my clinicals for my IMB semester. IMB stands for Integrated Methods Block in the College of Education. I'm not sure if it works the same way at other colleges like it does at UNCC, but you are dismissed from education courses for two weeks to gain required clinical experience (40 hours) in an assigned elementary school. For the last two weeks I have felt what it's like to be a teacher everyday and it has been so awesome and reassuring.

For IMB, I was required to teach a social studies lesson, literacy lesson, science lesson, and observe all of these subjects as well, including math. I could not have been placed at a more perfect school or in a more perfect 4th grade class. My CT's (cooperating teacher's) were so helpful and provided me with so many teaching resources- it was like teacher material heaven! I taught an integrated social studies and literacy lesson about comparing and contrasting NC transportation (4th grade social studies standards are all about NC) and a disturbance cycle lesson in science about oil spills. They're way more fun in person than how they sound in writing!

Weekly essentials: coffee + packed lunch

I was so nervous about teaching my lessons, as it was my first time teaching whole group lessons! I had my lesson plan "script" in-hand and ready to go, then I started teaching and didn't even look at it. I was so proud of myself y'all- the lessons went so, so much better than I expected and they flowed so well! My main CT observed my literacy/social studies lesson and went over her observations with me afterward. Her observation comments were so helpful and completely boosted my teaching-confidence. I am not trying to be braggy when I say this, but I think it's good to be proud of yourself, so I'm going to share. She said it's clear when teaching comes naturally and she could tell that it came naturally to me. I will forever hold that compliment in my heart because I was so worried I would have to look at my lesson plan the whole time to see what I needed to say. It was such a reassuring moment. My students turned in their transportation Venn diagrams after the lesson was over and I was so proud of their work! It is definitely one of my favorite teaching experiences so far!

I mainly wanted to write this post to share about my experience, but also what I learned about myself during these past two weeks.  

• I am an official grandma of my generation- well I've been a grandma probably since high school. I am not one to stay up super, super late or go out and party, so going to bed between 9:00 and 10:00 every night was probably one of the best things about these last couple of weeks y'all. Have to get enough sleep to keep up with those kids!
• Being called "Ms. Hatcher" is not as weird as it used to be! At first, I wanted to be like "that's my mama's name," but now I've learned to accept it. It comes with time.
• I really love working with 4th grade. I didn't think I would not like it, but I didn't think I would love it as much as I did either! Teaching 4th grade in the future is a very real possibility! 
• Teaching is so much fun, duh. Really putting in an effort to make your lessons interesting and interactive for the students pays off. I enjoyed teaching the material so much more when I saw that the students were genuinely interested in learning it!
• I did not want to leave those precious students after these last two weeks! It only takes a whole 2 minutes to get attached to them, let alone 40+ hours!

I had so much fun during these IMB weeks being an almost-teacher. Planning lessons and implementing them in the classroom made this experience so real and encouraging. I can't wait to be able to do this for a living!