Holy Cow Macaroni and Cheese I am 30!!

Coolest Happy Birthday sign ever!! 

From the words of Tim McGraw...

"I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age 

The ending of an era and the turning of a page 

Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here 

Lord have mercy on my next thirty years..."

So my 20's are officially over and I'm not in the least bit sad. They were real, they were fun, and a lot of times they were real fun. A lot happened in my 20's...

I graduated college...twice,

Stood up for my brothers as they said, "I do."

Landed my dream job-hated it for a while, and then completely fell in love with it,

I was in a lot of weddings, I went to a lot of weddings,

Bought and paid off my Libby Lou,

Bought my own place,

Ran two 1/2 marathons in 1 weekend and 7 others, 

Got a passport and went to the Bahamas,

Went to Vegas...3 times,

Saw Wrigley field for the first time,

Found my love of History,

Saw the Grand Canyon,
Developed some of the best teacher friend relationships,

Fell in love with a princess named Lacie,

Worked and continue to work at a pizza place where met some of my best friends,
Made a pretty tough professional decision,
Randomly decided that I'd like to marry a college football analyst that works for ESPN...Weird I know,

Traveled to Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C with some amazing teachers,

Helped someone check off a bucket-list moment and was forever changed,

Realized I had a deep passion for UofL Football and have only missed 2 home games in 10 years,

My 22nd birthday was pretty amazing,
Became a CuZant... I really just love that word,

Had the worst hangover in my 20's after Wine Down Wednesday...oh and that one New Year's Eve with JoJo,

AND

SOOOOOOOOOO Much more! I could go on and on, but those are the moments that stuck out first when I said, "Go Kim, think of memorable moments in 5 minutes."

Now it's time to focus on my next 30 years because I think my 30's are going to top my 20's. I've told myself that and truly believe big things are going to happen! The past couple of years I have let go of myself and put work before me. Now, I know this year I am working hard because of National Boards, but that is not an excuse to not take time to enjoy life. Plus,I'm submitting my portfolio in May and will take my assessments shortly after. That's only taking up 5-6 months of my 30's. Plus, it's a goal that I want to achieve so badly.

(All of the balloons had a picture of me at every age.)







(Party pic selfie with someone near and dear to my heart.)




My family did an amazing job of pre-aging me to my 30th year by throwing me a surprise party 2 weeks and 3 days BEFORE my actual birthday. THEY GOT ME!!! I thought I was going to dinner for my older ;) sister-in-law's birthday! It was the perfect decoy because her big 3-0 was at the beginning of November. 

I was a wonderful evening and I feel extremely blessed that a party was thrown for me. I mean, what did I do to deserve that?!?! I've always wanted a surprise party, but didn't think my family had in them (Sorry mom, dad, Bub, and Craig), but sister-in-laws are on top of things and maybe encouraged the others to get on board.

Kathy had a wonderful idea that I cannot wait to share. She sent out 30 cards to my nearest and dearest. With the cards people were to give me a challenge to complete in my 30th year.(Look for follow-up post on challenge details) There was a reoccurring theme of rest, relaxations, and rejuvenation. Everyone knows me well. I am looking forward to my 30th year experiencing my challenges...many items I've never done before and bringing you along on the journey....

xoxo-Kim

What is National Board Certification and Why have I chosen the process for me?

WHAT?

National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers, and to embed ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. While state teacher credentialing programs set the basic requirements to teach in each state, National Board Certified Teachers must demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Completion of National Board Certification signifies that teachers have developed and demonstrated the skills required of an accomplished education professional. (www.nbpts.org)

While attending a few PD’s on the possibility of pursuing certification, as well as, attending a 3-day seminar to get started it was stated many times that the process is INTENSE, and it takes a majority of people 3 years to achieve certification. I’m in it for the long haul and if you are reading this I hope you are with me too!

 Here are a FEW of my materials. My binders have grown... I have videoed lessons voice recorded standards to go along with them.

                                                       The busy gal has gotten busier.

You can tell that teachers conducted my 3-day seminar. 

WHY?

Achieving certification is a goal that I have had since student teaching in the most wonderful kindergarten classroom in the world. My mentor teacher was waiting on her scores to be released and said, “This will be you one day.” I admit, at the time, I did not really understand the magnitude of what going through the process really meant. I was just worried about graduating (and never fainting in front of little ones on observation day again)! We all know I graduated (had the most wonderful graduation celebration ever) and spent the next 7 months waiting to land that dream job. I could go on explaining my teaching career thus far, but that’s for another day.

 At the end of last year I asked a lot of questions and read a lot of materials on the National Board process. I have always loved learning new things and always look to further my education. I have never had the desire to be anything “higher up” in my profession, but have always hoped to be the BEST teacher I can be. This helped me decide on National Boards- it’s reflective on my own practice, takes place in my own classroom, with my own kiddos. The process is in my own hands, not in the hands of a professor grading my papers or exams.  I feel like I work hard day in and day out and I really want my efforts to be recognized. So here I am…

Yesterday scores were released for last years candidates and here are some posts I saw on Facebook that stuck a small chord.

·        * To those who did not quite hit that "magic number" I will say this today (as I have said for over a decade)...One number does NOT define you as a teacher. What you do and say in your classroom each and every day is your defining point. You did not pass or fail today. You either accomplished your certification or you have taken the next step forward. Celebrate every. single. point. you. earned. There are thousands of teachers out there who were not working as hard to be as reflective as you have been throughout this process. When your peers begin to ask how you did simply respond with, "I am one step closer."

·        * A year ago I was doing the same thing you all are doing today!! I helped three teachers in my school this year and watched some friends go through this!!! I have the same feeling today as I did this year!!!! Congrats to all who have certified and attempted!!! If you didn't certify....DON'T GIVE UP!!!!! It will be worth it and you won't regret it!!!

·         *I passed! What a crazy year. I just cried for 10 minutes - my husband thought I failed!!

·        * Remember: National Boards is about professional development. We're not better teachers because we made a qualifying score, we are better teachers for having participated with fidelity in the process. So to new & old NBCTs, new candidates, and on-going candidates~congrats and best of luck to us all as we continue our professional journey. 

     

*   *Yes...don't give up...This process is designed to take the full 3 years...those that achieve on the first attempt are lucky but believe me there are more in the retake boat than you think. When I didn't achieve the first time I decided to to slow down and take the full 3 years. I went into year 2 knowing I probably wouldn't make it that year (and I didn't) but brought my score up to within 5. I finished year 3 with NO room to spare but I learned so much those final 2 years...way more than I did when I had to to all of it. Think about it...you have time to make up your mind with your brain and not your heart...

*Next November, I’ll either be asking you to celebrate with me or asking you to push me though another year! 

                                                   
xoxo-Kim