Hello..... It's me.....just dropping in to update an old post from 2015 with life details from 2018! It's a quiet Saturday morning here in the Zen Den of Jen.  Todd Rundgren's classic  Hello, It's Me   just cued up on my playlist. The opening lyrics seemed appropriate in helping me re-introduce myself to this long-neglected writing space. It's been a whirlwind month of May for me, but my progress reports are DONE and in ONE more day my school year will be over. Two-and-a-half months of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation are ahead of me, and I have vowed for the first time in years to spend most of it NOT DOING SCHOOL-RELATED WORK! This year and last have probably been one of the most difficult in my career.  One where some mornings were spent sitting in my car taking deep, calming breaths (or crying) before heading into my classroom.  My lymphoma diagnosis back in October literally rocked my world, but last week my doctor proclaimed me CAN...

Welcome Friends! I hope this post finds you enjoying a peaceful Sunday, either being honored as a mother or honoring one you hold dear.   My mother passed away fifteen years ago, and this day is still a difficult one for me.  I was the daughter that did not appreciate my Mom until I had children of my own.  I was the daughter that threw fits while shopping when we disagreed over what was appropriate high school fashion.   I was that semi-difficult college student  that changed my major many times, challenged the rules, and caused her many sleepless nights.  I was that daughter that she asked to stop dancing on the table at my wedding.   In hindsight, I wish that I could rewind my life story to take back those moments when I made it hard for her.  I wish that I had not been so stubborn.  I wish that I had been more grateful.  I wish that I had understood how hard it was for her to see me struggle.   As I woke up slowly this morning --wrapped in my comfy bathrobe ...

Load up your cart my friends! It is time for another Teachers Pay Teachers sale and it is in your honor!   Check out Miss DeCarbo's  linky party to shop for great 20% off deals from some fabulous sellers, and then use the THANK YOU promo code for an additional savings!  The discounts are good from Tuesday, May 5th through Wednesday, May 6th! My entire store is on sale over the next two days, and here are some of the favorite resources I use at this time of year when thematic studies keep my students interested and engaged! You'll be sure to round up some great learning and eye-catching displays  with these products! WILD WEST PEEK-OVER POSTERS WILD WEST RHYME SCOOT I hope you'll mosey on over to my store and find something that suits your fancy! I myself am going to hit the trail and leave feedback on my prior purchases so that I earn credits toward my new ones!  May you too rustle up some good deals on great un...

Hello Friends! Welcome to the Teacher Appreciation Week party that is all about YOU! I'm so excited to be teaming up with my fellow "crayon girls" from The Primary Pack to brighten up your life! We really want you to know how much we appreciate you and how amazing we think you are. Teachers are the most dedicated, hard-working people around, and we want to celebrate you! So we are each giving away a gift card to one of our favorite places to shop. But we didn't stop there! We are also giving away one big GRAND PRIZE on The Primary Pack blog! Here on my blog, I am giving away one $25.00 gift card to Amazon!  I am a Prime member and it is my go-to website for books, books, and more books!   Enter below in the Rafflecopter to win! The giveaway will run through Sunday, May 10th. a Rafflecopter giveaway And now, for the GRAND PRIZE! Over at The Primary Pack, we are giving way a $250.00 gift card to Tieks! That's right, Tieks! The most C...

Happy "Lesson Planning Sunday" Friends! On the eve of Teacher Appreciation Week, I am just dropping in to link up with my my friend Angie from Mrs. Olson's Lucky Little Learners to share a FREE template that I hope will help you communicate more effectively and positively with your parent community!  After you've downloaded it, be sure to hop over to her blog to read about all of her fabulous ideas and link up with your own! I try to send home these weekly newsletters every Monday to keep families informed and involved as my partners in education.  A child who is mentored at home is going to be more successful in school, and providing parents with specific tips and ideas on how to help their son or daughter in each subject area has proven to be very effective for me over the course of my 23-year teaching career. Be sure to grab the complete, 10-page editable PowerPoint file  {HERE}! You can also read more about how I...