A New Chapter

Good luck Mr. S.!

My Special Ed Team

Last Friday marked my official last day as a special education teacher.  For the past 10 years, I was a special education Language Arts 7th grade teacher at Greenway Middle School.  There have been many amazing times, and some rough times as well.  At the start of this school year, I made the decision that this was going to be my last year as a teacher.  I realized that it was time for a career change.  Sadly, I will greatly miss my special ed team.  They have been the most amazing people to work with and I couldn't have been happier.  Thanks to a wonderful friend, she gave me the opportunity to start a new career in the business world.  I am officially a business woman now and I couldn't be happier, except that I miss my team of teachers:(  The shock will settle in when come August, I won't be stressing about setting up my room, parent night, or lesson plans for the year.  Teaching was my passion for a long time, but I always said that it would be time to leave the profession once that spark fizzled out.  I will miss the amazing teachers that I was blessed to work with and the students that have touched my heart.  Who knows, maybe this break is what I need in order for me to get that passion back?  If not, I am perfectly happy and excited to work with my new team of amazing ladies!  I am ready to start this new chapter in my life!

Mason and Jackson

Mason's Favorite People!

We love it when Jackson and Auntie Andrea come to visit:)

The boys and their very first lollipop experience!  The verdict is.....SUCCESS!!!  Mason could not stop saying, "Mmmmmmm, Good!"  after every lick. 

Mason kisses are the best!!!!!

Love that face!!!

Washington, D.C.

For the past year, my colleague Brenda and I have been putting together a field trip of a lifetime to our nation's capital.  While planning and preparing for this trip, we did A LOT of fundraising and pleading for money.  I would like to send a HUGE Thank You out to anyone that bought cookies, candles and other items, ate at certain restaurants, donated tax credit money, and helped out in any other way.  Unfortunately, we were only able to take 13 of the original 25 who signed up.  Those 13 students had an amazing trip that they will probably never forget.  Brenda and I enjoyed ourselves too, but we decided we probably would not do this again.  Taking 13 teenagers on vacation across the country for a week is enough to make you go a little crazy:)  For the most part, the students were well behaved and we got to see some amazing sights!  The highlight for me was being up close as Prince Harry dedicated a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  It was an amazing experience!  I couldn't have planned a better lesson for that day.  This trip was a perfect ending to my 10 years of teaching:)

The Greenway Crew in front of the Capitol Building

Our pimp limo that we took to and from the airport.

Hanging out in front of the President's house.

Chillin with Obama:)

Hanging out with the Washington Family

The Pentagon Memorial was the most emotional part for me.  It brought back so many memories from that fateful day.  The memorial was beautifully set up.  Each bench had water underneath it with the names of the victims.  The way the benches were positioned determined if the person died on the airplane or in the building. 

The guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Prince Harry is on the right!  It was a surreal moment watching all of the officers:)

 

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I am so grateful to be a mom.  Mason has made my life have meaning and purpose and I am honored to bare the title of Mommy!  I have had so many influential "moms" in my life who have all molded me into the mom I am.  I am extremely appreciate all of the amazing moms and I hope to one day be as wonderful as all of them:)  Happy Mother's Day!!

Mommy and Me

Pictures by Jayde Pigati Photography