Here we go again!

Hi friends,

First of all I want to welcome you to my blog. I used to have another blog (which I have not used since last year) but decided I needed a fresh start!

So this year I'm very excited to take on a couple of new roles in my school. First of all, this year I will be team-teaching a dual language class with a totally awesome partner. My other role will be leader of the 3rd grade team. I am both excited and a little nervous about these because I want to make sure I do the best I possibly can.

Although I feel my summer was short due to teaching summer school, I feel I was able to accomplish a few things:

• I re-read Teach Like A PIRATE (oh my what an awesome book this is even the second time around) and thanks to my principal I was able to attend a conference where the pirate himself (Dave Burgess) was one of the keynote speakers. 

(Sorry for the poor quality)

• I also got to read yet another PIRATE book. This time it was Learn Like A PIRATE by Paul Solarz. This book encourages teachers to empower their students to collaborate, become leaders, and own their learning.

• Lastly, I started reading another book titled Mindsets in the Classroom by Mary Cay Ricci. At the moment I have not finished it yet, but oh man has it opened my eyes to concepts such as growth and fixed mindsets. This book also encourages teachers to allow students to grow as learns and not give up when failure knocks at the door. One of my favorite quotes I read is "We have to step back, take a breath, and realize that it not about how fast students master learning. It is about the persistence and effort that they put forth." (pg. 9)

I can attest that we all have difficult schools years, and I now know for sure I'm not exempt from them. I have learned that giving up is the easy way out, however when there is a passion for teaching, failure is one to be celebrated and seen as a learning and growth opportunity.

Until next time!

Su amiga,

Araceli