Blog Email Subscription
Who am I?
I am Human. Flawed. Passionate. Overwhelmed. Creative. Tired. JoyFilled. Messy. Colorful. Sinful. Redeemed. As a woman living in a world that seems to spin faster with each passing day, I wear more hats than I care to count, but there are a few favorites...I am the wife of an all-too-human Prince Charming and the mother of two beautifully-imperfect children. My soul belongs to Jesus, and He is the reason I am able to find Petals of Joy in this journey I call Life.
Tag Archives: Teacher
Dear First Day of School
Dear First Day of School, We need to talk. I don’t want to hate you. I really don’t. Shall we maybe work together to package the day in a way we all come home with smiles? I have a few … Continue reading
Posted in Teaching
Tagged Education, First Day of School, school, Teacher, teacherlife, Teaching
Leave a comment
On Your Way to Work: The Teaching Paradigm
I hate the sound of my own voice. Anytime I hear myself on a recording or a video, I cringe. Do I really sound like that? According to a friend, Christian, there’s for real scientific evidence about why our voices sound so … Continue reading
Posted in Teaching
Tagged Education, paradigm, podcast, Rick Whitted, Students, Teacher, Teaching
Leave a comment
To Teachers on the Last Night of Summer
It’s almost midnight. Preplanning begins tomorrow. And I don’t wanna. Summer has been glorious. Filled with unexpected wandering and brilliant laughter. I don’t want it to end but it fades as quickly as the sun slipping beyond the horizon. Every … Continue reading
Posted in Joy, Summertime, Teaching
Tagged failure, fear, First Day of School, school, Students, Summer, Teacher, teacherlife, Teaching
16 Comments
For the Teacher at Summer’s End
I’m sitting at my desk. Music quietly plays in the background and a steady, soft rain falls outside my windows. My classroom is as ready as it can be. I’m not. In just a few hours, I will be gulping … Continue reading
Posted in Struggles, Summertime, Teaching
Tagged August, First Day of School, Students, Teach, Teacher, Teaching
6 Comments
Dear Teacher on the Tired Days,
I get it. I had a student hurt my feelings today. Words that cut deep and wounded because there is always an element of truth perceived by the one being sarcastic. And I’ve been icing my bruises all afternoon. The … Continue reading
To the Momma Rolling Her Eyes at My Students,
I know watching 40 teenagers walk into a fast food restaurant must have been intimidating. They were loud. They were large. There were so many of them. I know our line stretched through the aisles. I know you weren’t expecting … Continue reading
Lessons My Students Teach
It was a few days ago. The question had been floating in and out of my thoughts, never really landing. When my thinker was all thought out, I did the only thing I could. I messaged a former student. Nestled … Continue reading
Lessons for the First Year Teacher
Dear New Teacher and Nervous Soul, I know how you feel. Those butterflies turned evil in your stomach, tying knots? I’ve had them. Wondering if you’ve made the right decision. If you’re ready to face the responsibility. If you’ve got … Continue reading
What I Want the Parents of My Students to Know
My refrigerator holds a list. Summer to-dos. Almost 20 items needing attention before school begins. Important things. Things like: Sort through financial records. Write my AP syllabus and book proposal. Take down Christmas lights (wish I was kidding about that … Continue reading