14 in 14!

Happy Holiday Week!

For those of you on break already...ENJOY! We have school today and tomorrow (early release) before we say "so long!" to our students and their families.

I'm linking up to share about my interesting year :)

Thank you Miss Kindergarten, A Teeny Tiny Teacher, and Dragonflies in First for hosting! I absolutely LOVE reading about everyone's year!

It seems 2014 is split right in half for me...the most awesome year (January-August) to a terrific learning experience (September-December), lol. I can't wait for 2015 :)

My all-time high of 2014 was this...

I had the chance to present at the KIPP School Summit in Houston. You can read more about it here. I prepared for MONTHS and I ended up speaking in front of almost 200 people without a slight twinge of nervousness. Which is unheard of for me...but it was a blast!

My BFF Mary also performed at the Summit gala!

Besides spending a week in Houston, 2014 also brought visits to Florida (3 times!) for relaxation, Philadelphia (twice), and Ohio for family and a wedding. Next summer, I will be in Vegas for the TPT Conference, for sure!

Professionally, the first half of the year saw data highs and a move into my new office and intervention space. SUPER exciting! 

 I've never unpacked my library until this year! 

It's so nice to have everything student-accessible.

In spring, I became a Teacher Development Leader at my school which has included training I've found tremendously helpful. 

I've also had the opportunity to participate in a Close Reading/Text Complexity course offered through the KIPP Foundation, plus I completed two recertification courses for Special Education. 

TONS of learning in 2014, for sure!

This year, my students received an iPad from generous donations through Donors Choose. 

'To say it has had a positive impact with my students is a huge understatement! 

The second half of 2014 has brought me the opportunity to work on my grit :) It's been challenging professionally and personally, but I'm also starting to see that I have REALLY grown through the experience. I think it's going to be one of those years you look back on and say "oh, that was awful, but I'm SO much better for it!" 

At least, that's what I'm telling myself daily.

Last year, my One Little Word was:

This year, it's all about the...

See ya later 2014!