Sometimes it's nice to get recognized

Every quarter, we give awards to our students for honor roll, merit roll, character, improvement, attendance etc. It's nice, and you can tell some of the kids get really excited about it. Well unbeknownst to the teachers, the principal and asst. principal at one of my schools decided they would start recognizing teachers too. I wasn't present for the assembly since I was at my other schools, but when I arrived, our asst. principal immediately asked if I heard the news? Well after a very confusing conversation because she wasn't sure she was supposed to tell me, I find out that I got an award at the assembly. My principals recognized my positive attitude and hard work with the students. Awesome! So I was very grateful as they handed me the certificate. But what felt even better, was that throughout the afternoon, students who were at the assembly were proud that I got an award, and they kept telling me about it! Hey they were paying attention!! "Hey Miss Skoch, Congratulations!" "high five!" As nice as it is to get recognized for what I do from the principals, it's even nicer to get a little thanks from students!

Thankful for soft Kleenex!

Developed a bit of a cold, and today's brief post will be that I am thankful for soft Kleenex, the kind with lotion. It even better Vicks! I'm usually the kind of person who will use whatever napkin or papertowel that is available to me, but of course my nose pays for that... So I went out and bough the lotion Kleenex, and now my nose is slightly happier! 

At least swim practice gave me an hour of normal breathing!!

Teaching something you're excited about.

I became a band teacher because I LOVE playing instruments and think all kids should try it. I purposely teach middle school because I love teaching all the beginning band stuff.

The best part, is teaching things you are excited about. 4 years ago I taught general music to k-8, and with the older kids I was usually trying to think of "what would I want to learn" or "what would be interesting to me?" In hopes those lessons would be just a little more interesting. Well now, on top of my 8 band classes, I teach two sections of general music to 5th and 6th grade. I'll admit there have been challenges but I've managed to create some units that haven't winded up half bad. Always room for improvement. But what I am getting at tonight, with this post, is a unit I am looking forward to beginning either tomorrow or next week! 

I have ALWAYS loved Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals!! Cinderella, the Sound of Music, the King and I....so now in my general music class, we are going to cover the King and I!! I figure this is a musical with an interesting story for middle schoolers, songs they may have heard before, and are catchy, and it's one they probably haven't learned or watched before!!

So tonight I worked out how I am gonna introduce it, and am pretty excited about starting it! 

Now here's to sorta hoping for no snow day tomorrow so that I can get this project underway!!

When they just get it!

Ok, I've gotten out of habit of posting before bed, but I have actually taken time each day I think about something positive!

Yesterday I had this with 2 classes.... Some students finally "clicked." I have had 2 classes that have been a little bit of a struggle. Students not practicing, forgetting instruments, not trying etc. But yesterday one of these classes finally made it through almost a whole new piece with minimal technical problems!! We still have a long way to go to make it good, but I am at least encouraged they finally got the rhythms down!! (Their concert is a month away.. Here's hoping!!)

In another class later, a student has been struggling with her flute. No idea when her fingers do what, struggling with sound 90% of the time, but Friday and yesterday, we finally started to get a good sound out!! Now, when she says she has practiced I might actually believe her! 

Anyways, moments like these add to why I became a teacher. It's for the triumphs, the successes. It just takes a lot of tries to get there sometimes!!

Casual Sundays.

Lazy Sunday really. Spent most of the morning in my pjs. I think I'm starting to get a cold, so it was nice to just lounge and read. Watched the snow fall and create a beautiful scenery outside! Made my first attempt at venison burgers, which actually were pretty good! Might make the next lb of venison into a stew or chili? Recipes welcome!

Went to a friends to watch the Super Bowl and I have to admit it really didn't hold my attention. I've never really followed pro sports but occasionally enjoy watching a game. Plus I would choose football over basketball or baseball. But tonight's one sided game couldn't keep me interested. The company was the good part. Low key, hung out with some sailing friends. 

I'm thankful today for my eclectic group of friends. I believe I have posted about them already, but I love that I have friends of diverse ages (25-55) and all different careers, backgrounds. But it makes hanging out that much more enjoyable when someone always has a story to tell!!

Excited about cooking

Earlier this week I was excited about getting back into making my own yogurt, then Thursday and Friday I started thinking about the possibility of making my own bread. The bread idea got even more exciting when I realized my dad has a bread maker sitting unused in storage!! To continue the homemade trend,  Friday night my friend gives me a easy DIY pizza crust recipe.

Today I got to take all this excitement and plans to a Pampered Chef party and try not to spend too much money!! Luckily I have enough sense to not go crazy, but of course since my wish list was getting longer I decided to host a party to get some good deals!!

I thought back to my parents house and realized how much pampered chef stuff we had that was used regularly! I am looking forward to cooking and making more homemade stuff. Now if only I had more of a green thumb and could contribute to growing some of our own produce!! Hah! 

Instead I spent a little time this afternoon scouting out discount shopping near home. Checked out Aldis and GFS. have to admit got a little more excited about the bulk frozen fruit and beans that I can get at GFS! Looks like I know where I'll be buying that stuff now! :-)

Thursday and Friday too busy to blog!

I have always had a busy schedule. One might say I don't even know how to NOT be busy! I sign up for committees, I attend meetings, I go to workout and music practices, I teach flute lessons, the list goes on and on! I used to joke in college that I needed an 8 day work week but then I would always realize and admit that knowing me, if I had an 8th day, I wouldn't use it for house work or relaxing, I would fill it with more activity!!

That being said, I have to sadly admit this was the first time I truly forgot to blog for 2 days! Thursday was so non stop that I came home around 830, did a quick workout and went immediately to bed. Never even sitting down after I came home from work.

Friday was similar, filling up my time with a bike workout with friends.

So I guess my thursday thankful thought would be that I am thankful that I enjoy being busy! I actually love the feeling of occasionally going non stop and falling into bed at night. I much prefer that to multiple snow days of laying around! (ok yes, I could have done some chores on the snow days... but lets not get too crazy!)

My thankful friday post will be thankful for the love of doing things with friends. Our bike workouts have become a friday night tradition now, and they are a blast!! We even added dinner to the mix this week!

Now off to enjoy the rest of my Saturday!