We Only Part To Meet Again

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

What an exciting year! I tried giving you a real peek in our classroom this year, and I hope you were not disappointed. And speaking of giving, I am ready to give you some news. What does the future hold? Read on to find out!

School/ Grade Change

I will be moving across town to teach third grade at Discovery School at Reeves-Rogers. It is a public school for gifted and talented students. My son attends this amazing school, and I am really looking forward to the new challenges that await me. In preparation for this transition, I will be attending the first week of Confratute in Connecticut to learn about the Renzulli method of teaching. If anyone is attending this conference or has some great summer reading recommendations for me, please let me know.

And thank you to Barfield Elementary School, which has been my home for the past two years. I'll never look at a portable classroom quite the same again. I'll miss those walls that allowed me to simply staple Christmas lights wherever I pleased, including the ceiling.

And the website...a huge shout out to Mary GuimbelIot is in order for never questioning the amount of "stuff" I put on our school website. I was ready for "the talk" at any given moment, but it never came. Mary, you are the best. She is even keeping everything up and running until August and saving the site on CD(s) for the transition. She's my hero.

Working with Scholastic

And the news continues. I have received several emails and posts about the possibility of continuing the blog through Scholastic. Not only will I be around in some form or fashion, but I am partnering up with the amazing Beth Newingham (a former Scholastic Advisor/Mentor) through Scholastic. This is still in the early planning phase so I can't share much more than that, but I am truly excited about this unique opportunity to share and collaborate on-line.

And Thank You

My mom argues that I have literally received everything and anything I have asked or tried for, and this is, according to my mother, because the Pope blessed and talked to me as a child.

Good news I may share with her, "Mom, I just found out I won a trip to Hawaii!" lead to an all too familiar response about the Pope's role in this accomplishment.

"I'm not surprised. You know the Pope blessed you as a child." She says this, like she is sharing this story for the first time, and like it is common knowledge that a blessing from a Pope gives you a free pass to getting anywhere. Moms can be so funny sometimes.

Before this year, I have always shrugged my shoulders and rolled my eyes when I hear the Pope story from her. But now my husband is on board with the thesis and says she just may have a point. Which got me thinking. I do have such a blessed life, and maybe my mom is on to something. Life is incredibly good, and I was fortunate enough to share my year with you all through this blog. Thank you for reading. Thank you for sharing. And thank you for keeping me going and moving forward when I sometimes felt tired and boring.

And here's to a fantastic summer and future. Let's keep in touch...

Angela

Comments

[Angela]

Hey Amy!

Thanks for writing. I have been far from inspiring today with my agenda of doing nothing. It's been great though! Hope the summer is treating you well.

Looking forward to next year...

Angela

[Amy Borrell]

Angela! So excited we'll work with you again next school year. You are an inspiring teacher and an inspiring person. Thank you for bringing your artful teaching to your students and to all of us.

[Angela]

Hey Linder!

I am the one feeling lucky...you should see my new classroom! It feels huge and has enough storage space to make any teacher content. I might even need to go on a little shopping trip, in fact. I actually can't wait to post some photos next year.

And thanks for posting something here. You rock!

XOXO,

Angela

[Linder]

Hello Angela,
Congrats on your move to the Discovery School -- boy are they lucky!

I'm thrilled that you'll be pairing with Beth in the coming year on Scholastic. I know it will be a great collaboration.

Thank you for a great year and your amazing contributions. You have been an exemplary colleague for your fellow teachers and ALL your efforts are much appreciated! Have a wonderful summer and see you in the fall.

Cheers, Linder

[Angela]

Diann,

It's the Pope! I love my mom...

And thank you for your kind words. I hope you enjoy your summer as well.

Website Note- The site is officially working, but I can not log in and do any changes due to my change in counties. Look for a link to the new page around August or so...

Smiles,

Angela

[DBaer]

Angela,
You have been a blessing to many, including me with all of your great ideas and technology insights. (It must have to do with the Pope) Have a fun summer with your family. I can't wait to see all of your new ideas with Beth. I love both of your sites.
Thanks again,
Diann

[Angela]

Karen, my email has already been shut down because I am moving from the county to the city schools. I'll email you shortly...

Smiles,

Angela

[Karen]

Angela,
I tried to email you but it is giving me a delivery failure. My email at school is karen_rumpf@roundrockisd.org or ksrumpf@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Karen

[Angela]

Karen!!!

I am going to miss you so much. Who is going to remind me to turn paperwork in? Who is going to lend my tape, paper, rulers, and general resources that I should have but seem to lose all the time? What am I going to do?!?!?

I owe you a billion favors, so if you ever need one (or several) please get a hold of me.

Much respect to my former sardine can companion,

Angela

[Karen Myers]

Good luck!! We will miss you next year!

Karen

[Angela]

Kathy,

No, you're the best! It's been a pleasure working with you this year. And rest up? I think I am failing on that task. But on a positive note, it looks like I am going to have one awesome guest restroom in another week.

Jessica,

You are welcome! :)

Best,

Angela

[katewalsh]

You are the best. Loved the Pope story! Have a great summer and rest up.
You continue to inspire and motivate us all!

[Jessica]

Angela,

Thanks for the advice. Once again, I look forward of learning more from you on the web!

Have a great summer!

Jessica :)

[Angela]

Woah Jessica,

I have heard some areas in the US are like that, but I am still surprised to hear that. Goodness. Well, at least you have a steady sub position. I bet that is even hard to come by then.

To answer your question, if you plan on staying a classroom teacher, which I would guess so with the wait time anticipated- I would go for reading/literacy education. It will 100% help you out as a classroom teacher. I have two friends that have a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. I would only endorse this if you plan on teaching at the college level.

Again, good luck with your move into the educational world. I'm sure you will be a great addition. :)

Angela

[Jessica]

Hello again!

I will be completing a 60 hour clinical in the Fall and will finally student teach in the spring. I can not wait to finish! Unfortunately, in West Virginia it is extremely hard to get a teaching job. In fact, most of the newly contracted teachers in my county subbed for 10 years before they finally received a job. (Everything is based on county seniority.) Each elementary position in the 10 schools in the county receives about 2,000 bids. (I'm not even kidding!) Luckily, I'll be able to sub every day.

I have a question for you. :) I'm planning to begin graduate school next summer. I have narrowed the options down to a degree in Reading/Literacy Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or a general Masters of Elementary Education. Which degree do you think will be most helpful to me as a general elementary education teacher?

Thanks!
Jessica :)

[Angela]

Hey Karen,

I do remember you. :) I hope you have had a great year!

And although I have a good idea of enrichment clusters that have been tried out at DSRR, I would love to hear about some concepts that have been tried out and tested at your school. If you could email me with some ideas, I would love to pick your brain. I don't believe there are any other schools around here using this approach, so I would be so gracious to hear and learn from you.

bunyia@rcs.k12.tn.us

Angela

[Karen]

Hi, Angela!

You might not remember me. I came to New York with Jennifer to do the advisor training. I have enjoyed reading everyone's blog!
I am excited that you get the chance to go to Confratute in Conn. At our school, we have been doing Renzulli learning and enrichment clusters for the past 3 years. It has been wonderful! I think you will enjoy it and come away with many ideas. Joe Renzulli came to our school to see what we are doing and also talked to the staff and parents.

Have a great summer!
Karen

[Angela]

Hey Jessica,

How exciting...so you are about to begin teaching then? I am happy that I have helped you out before entering the profession.

Which reminds me that I too need to print out what I have written this year. I tried once with the interview for my current job, but it cut off some of the writing on the right side. I wonder how many pages I have written total?

Well, thank you for your kind words. The word inspirational never loses its value, and I feel humbled to hear it used. Thank you.

Angela

[Jessica]

Angela,

I've been reading your blog for the past 6 months, and I must say, I am incredibly inspired by you! I'm an elementary education student from a small university in WV, and I have literally printed off pages and pages of your ideas for my resource binders. I do hope you continue to share your ideas with teachers around the world. You are a true role model and I plan on implementing your enthusiasm and ideas into my future classroom :)

Thanks,
Jessica :)

[Angela]

Hey Ana,

Thanks for the kind words. I enjoyed hearing from you throughout the year too! And good luck with your trip to Ohio to see the Sisters. I am sure you will enjoy it.

So, the website is my big question at the moment. I do know how to transfer a site, but I am not 100% about the platform possibilities in the city schools (where I am going). They all use Mac programs for their class pages, but if I am allowed to use Dreamweaver, I am good to go for an easy swap. My previous county required Dreamweaver and nothing else, so we'll see. I really don't like the idea of starting over, but I did start from scratch two years ago. I'll add a link on the old address once things are swapped over.

So now I am ready to attack the renovations needed around the house. My winning moment of the day- I convinced my husband that darker multi-colored slate for a restroom floor is, in fact, neutral. I surprise myself sometimes. Back to Lowes after passing the sample test!

47 days of freedom,

Angela

[Anna Dutfield]

Hi Angela,
Congratulations on your move to the Discovery School! And a huge WOW about pairing with Beth Newingham...I really can't wait to see the results of that partnership. I will keep my eyes on Scholastic for that. Will you have a new class website? Just curious, as I refer back to your current site when I need inspiration!

Have a wonderful summer, and enjoy the time off. Yet another month of teaching to go here in Toronto, but will I enjoy July and August when it comes...

Thank YOU for all your wonderful thoughts on teaching, education, and life in general! I have TRULY enjoyed this blog!!!

[Angela]

Hey Amanda,

Thanks! I hope your school year is over or near over. I feel GREAT being home now with no worries. :)

Peace out,

Angela

[Amanda]

Angela,

Congratulations! I'm looking forward to seeing what you and Beth can cook up! You are both phenomenal. Best wishes!

Amanda