Life Lately: Coaching, Teaching, and Looking Forward to a Little Rest
Well, friend, it's been a while!
September 6th, to be exact. That was the last time I sat down to write a blog post, and somehow, here we are in November. How did that happen?
Actually, I know exactly how it happened. Life has been BUSY!
Between teaching, coaching, planning professional development, and a dental procedure that has tested my patience more than I expected, these past couple of months have been a lot.
But here I am, finally finding a little time to sit down, catch up, and share what's been going on.
Wearing All the Hats
One of the things I love about being a literacy coach is having the opportunity to support other teachers. This year, a good portion of my time has been spent working with teachers who are new to our reading curriculum. And let me tell you, learning a new curriculum is no small task!
There are lessons to understand, routines to establish, assessments to navigate, and so many little details that can feel overwhelming when you're just getting started.
I've been spending a lot of time helping teachers plan, understand the curriculum, and become more comfortable with implementing it in their classrooms. It's rewarding work, especially when you begin to see teachers gaining confidence and finding their rhythm.
Of course, while I'm supporting other teachers, I still have my own classes to teach!
One of those classes includes students with varying exceptionalities, which means I am constantly thinking about how to adjust lessons, provide support, and make learning accessible to students with very different needs. Some days, what works beautifully for one student doesn't work for another. So, we adjust, try something different, celebrate the small victories, and keep moving forward.
That's teaching, isn't it?
And Then There Are the PLCs!
Another big part of my work lately has been planning professional learning communities (PLCs) around strategies from Teach Like a Champion.
I've been working on making these sessions meaningful and practical for teachers. I don't want professional development to feel like just another thing on everyone's already full plate.
My goal is for teachers to walk away with something they can actually use in their classrooms.
We've been focusing on instructional strategies that encourage students to think more deeply, explain their answers, and participate more actively in their learning.
And while I genuinely enjoy planning and facilitating these learning opportunities, there is quite a bit of work that happens behind the scenes. Finding resources, reviewing videos, preparing activities, organizing materials, and making sure everything connects to what our teachers and students need takes time. Sometimes I look at my to-do list and wonder if I accidentally signed up for three different jobs. 😂
But I love the work, and I believe it matters.
And Just When I Thought I Had Enough Going On...
Let's add dental surgery to the mix!
I recently had some dental work done, including extractions and a bone graft. I knew recovery would take some time, but I definitely underestimated just how long it would take to feel like myself again.
I think I had this idea that I would have the procedure, take it easy for a few days, and then get right back to my normal routine.
Well, my mouth apparently had other plans!
The recovery has been slower than I anticipated, and trying to manage that while keeping up with everything at work has been challenging. It's also been a reminder that sometimes we really do need to slow down and give our bodies time to heal.
Easier said than done, especially when you're someone who always has something that needs to be done.
But I'm learning. Slowly. Very slowly. 😂
Thanksgiving Break, I Am Ready for You!
Now, can we talk about something I'm REALLY looking forward to?
Thanksgiving break!
I love this time of year. The holidays, the family time, the food, the traditions, and just being able to enjoy home without thinking about what needs to be done at school the next morning.
But here's the thing. I don't want to spend my entire Thanksgiving break exhausted from cooking, baking, cleaning, and shopping. Because we all know how that can go.
You finally get a break from work, and somehow you end up working just as hard at home!
Not this year. At least, that's the plan. I'm determined to plan ahead as much as possible. I'm talking grocery lists, shopping early, deciding what I'm cooking and baking, and getting as much done ahead of time as I can. I want to actually enjoy Thanksgiving instead of feeling like I'm running a restaurant out of my kitchen. Most importantly, I want time to rest and spend time with my family.
And then comes one of my favorite family traditions.
The day after Thanksgiving, the Christmas decorations go up! 🎄
That's something my family has done for years, and I absolutely love it. There's just something about putting up the Christmas tree, bringing out the decorations, and officially welcoming the Christmas season that makes me happy.
I want to enjoy every bit of it without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
A Little Reminder to Myself
As I look back on these past couple of months, I realize just how much has been happening.
There have been busy days, stressful moments, rewarding experiences, and a few unexpected challenges along the way. But there have also been opportunities to grow, help others, and remind myself why I love what I do. I think sometimes we get so caught up in everything that needs our attention that we forget to acknowledge everything we've already accomplished.
And maybe that's something I need to do a little more often.
So, as we get closer to Thanksgiving, I'm choosing to be grateful for the work I get to do, the people I get to work with, and the family I get to come home to.
I'm also choosing to make rest a priority.
Because as much as I love being a teacher and literacy coach, I also love being a wife, a mom, and simply enjoying life outside of school. And all of those parts of my life deserve my time and attention.
To my fellow teachers, I hope the next few weeks go smoothly for you. I hope you get through your to-do lists, enjoy some wonderful food, make memories with the people you love, and find a little time to do absolutely nothing.
We have earned it!
In this together,
Nicky B. 💗
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