Wucky, Wucky Year!

The morning after Christmas Sam wanted to go downstairs at 6:30 a.m.  I was thinking, you've got to be kidding me.  We talked some about the gifts he got from so many people who love him so dearly.  As we walked down the stairs, holding hands, he said, "I'm such a wucky, wuckly boy!"

I have told everyone about this.  I thought it was just so precious.  I also love that in his little almost 4 year old heart he knows that he is blessed.  And that he feels blessed.

I'm so wucky, wucky, too!

I feel like 2013 is going to be such and amazing year.  The shift has already started.  Don't get me wrong, I did not say it was going to be easy.  It feels really challenging, but I know that I am going to be standing in such a different place at the end of this year.  I'm opening myself up to different possibilities and opportunities.  I'm reviewing last year.  I'm making lists and plans and dreaming about this new year.

How 'bout you?  Are you feeling like 2013 is going to be a wucky, wucky year?

Stay tuned for lots of positivity and change and new ideas here, soon. . .

Recap of 2012 Word of the Year

Last year my word for the year was "Enchantment."  I wanted to be enchanting, and I wanted to be enchanted.  The year actually took an interesting turn, and hindsight leads me to believe that my actual word for the year was disenchantment.

Don't get me wrong I had many amazing experiences and memories.  I did some pretty enchanting stuff with secret missions and teaching kids about kindness.  I started yoga teacher training.  {This feels like such an internal game changer for me--wow!  I am enchanted!}  I have been blessed with so many joyful and hilarious memories with Sam.

I've also witnessed some Truth that I really didn't want to look at--about myself and some relationships I have.  I've been working through some really hard decisions.  I feel disenchanted.  Some of my innocence bubbles have burst.  Ironically I think all of that is leading me toward the life and work that I will find enchanting, but it doesn't feel that way now.

I'm experiencing a radical internal paradigm shift.  I told a friend that I know I'm going to be fantastic when I get to the other side, but I'm just now there yet.

All that to say, I've been pretty quiet here and at Brave Teachers for the past couple of months.  I've been putting on my own oxygen mask and sitting with change, because now I do want to enchant you with the gifts I have been unearthing.  There is so much brewing!  Stay tuned. . .

Happy New Year!

Approaching The Gate of 2012

So we're just a bit away from entering 2012. It certainly feels like we're approaching the gate. It's still closed, but we know it's about to fly open. And I'm wondering if I'm ready. I'm tired, but I want to be so present when the gate flies open, and I boldly walk through.

I feel my heart and soul propelling me in other directions--away from the safe path. I'm so excited and scared by it. I already know that 2012 is going to be HUGE! I feel the earth moving and shifting. I know I'm going to be engaged with my little family, traveling, and taking Brave Teachers into great directions. I'm getting really into the business nitty gritty. Have I mentioned The Right Brain Business Plan by Jennifer Lee? I'm gobbling it up!

I'm actively pursuing calm. I've selected by word for 2012 {to be revealed soon!} I'm working on lots of plans for next year, and I'm trying to think of how to integrate the shift in my heart with my day to day interactions within my classroom. I'm thinking of little lessons to empower kids--the kind of stuff you have to sneak in because it has nothing to do with standardized tests but everything to do with the future of the human race. Am I the only person out there who thinks that is just soooo wrong? But I digress--give me a moment to hop off my education soapbox. . .

How about you? What are you planning or hoping or dreaming for 2012?

If you live within a couple hours of Akron, Ohio, I would LOVE to spend time with you at the Brave Teacher Play Day, January 16! We will be super casually creating and empowering and supporting each other. It's going to be a great chance to catch your breath so that you can move boldly through the gate and get 2012 started so beautifully!

Slow Down Martha Stewart-ish Teachers

Yep. You know who you are. Everything in your room is color coordinated--right down to the tissue box holder and adorable little homemade seats for your library area. And are those handwoven book baskets on handcrafted bookshelves, stained to match everything else? All those adorable alphabets all cut out and hanging from banners of recycled hand made paper across your classroom.

Slow down! I'm trying to keep up, but I just laminated my homemade posters for my focus wall--in all different colors of construction paper. My bulletin board trim has adorable polka dots, except for the stuff with frogs, and the other stuff with lizards, and the plain blue corrugated stuff.

Seriously I'm proud that today I put up locker tags and desk tags and lunch choice. The truth is no matter how fast I run, I will never catch up. There aren't enough hours in a day for me to catch up. I applaud your effort and investment. I look at the pictures on your blog and sigh longingly. It's just not me. I am preparing for the BEST YEAR EVER behind that great green door, but my room is not super cute.

I guess that's a really good thing to figure out. I have invested time in doing long range lesson planning for the year, creating an interactive notebook and focus wall for language arts. I'm still in the process of revamping my family handbook and creating a new powerpoint for the family meeting I'm hosting the night before kids begin. I'm doing all of this, and I'm trying to make peace with myself about it all being enough.

I suspect all of you might be feeling the same way--even if you have been making super cute goodness. You are enough, brave teacher. And if you are the Martha Stewartish type, I'll take any baked goods or cute projects you want to send my way!