Twenty Things I Promise To Do During The Dog Days Of Summer

The end of Summer is near because, hello it is now August. That is always a depressing thought. Because August means summer is coming to a close. And all of my promises I made in the beginning of the Summer whether done or not, are scrutinized. But I refuse to get those end of Summer Blues this year. Here are twenty things I promise to do before September.

1.) Binge– Stranger Things. I meant what else is there until I do. Because life begins after I binge-watch season four.

2.) Start a home yoga practice in the am. It is me and my yoga mat every morning for fifteen minutes. That is less than ten poses and some stretching. It can be done! Namaste!

3.) Summer clean that closet and get myself to a consignment store. Out with the old- and in with the recycled new. Plan my Labor Day white outfit.

4.) Volunteer. Some volunteering really clears the mind and restores the faith in your ability to stay present and be of service. Maybe related to the upcoming election.

5.) Go to a movie. Top Gun maybe?

6.) Get those Fall boots repaired, cleaned and ready for Pumpkin Season.

7.) Get some pool time.

8.) Take a weekend trip before the Summer ends.

9.) BBQ as many meals as I can.

10.) Start journaling

11.) Do some outdoor activities. Kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Laying out by the pool– all count.

12.) Eat more ice cream. Because tis the season.

13.) Start picking up back-to-school supplies. Who cares that I am no longer in school? I still need supplies.

14.) And back-to-school clothes are also needed for my non-school Fall. Confused? See number 13.

15.) Check in with friends I miss. Before we all get caught up in the busy Fall season, we must stay connected to our besties.

16.) Look at getting a new haircut– and style.

17.) Buy my Vogue magazine for Fall fashion inspiration.

18.) Hit the museum.

19.) Eat at a restaurant I have not been to yet and get to a rooftop for a martini.

20.) Take as many Summer naps as I can fit in.

August Can Be Your Best Summer Month

Don’t let those Summer blues kick in. Instead, relish the last days of Summer. Embrace romance, adventure, daydreams, sunsets and Labor Day plans.

Back To School And The Pandemic Continues

This is the second seasons that I as an educator have been feeling a little more stressed than a normal school year. Going back into the classroom has been something that I have honestly had a hard time with this year. Although I love my job, the politics and the constant opinions have been a lot.

Although I am feeling the pressure here are the things that I am looking forward to this year.

Getting Back into a Classroom:

Last year, as a teachers assistant I spent the year helping teach remotely. Although I have to admit that it was a lot. When I reflect on that time I realize that teaching in general is a lot. Although, I think my teams did an amazing job teaching remotely, I am excited to go back to a classroom. Getting to see my students and work with them in-person, I think it will give me that answers that I need.

Seeing my Work Friends:

I think that one of the things that I missed most about being in a school is having my work friends. In the educational world, your work friends are essential. Although, working with kids is amazing most of the time, you need your people to decompress and no one knows better than the ones you work with what you are going through. It is a different kind of bond, and I can not wait to have that back!

Getting Back to a Routine:

When I am working, I am so much more disciplined with everything in life. I have a very strict schedule, and the very Type A part of me is so looking forward to that. Although, I think that this year is going to be a lot, I think that this will be important for me to get back to my normal, as the world wraps up from the pandemic.

Student, Teacher Relationships:

I have to say that although I had amazing relationships with both the students and their families because of teaching remotely. I am excited to have that relationship with my students that I normally would have. That relationship between educator and student is a special bound. I am really excited for that!

This year, although the pandemic seems to be coming to a close, there is still a lot of uncertainty. There are a lot of mixed emotions going back into the classroom. However, I will say that I am very optimistic that this year is going to be great from both teachers and students. That we are going to be able to get back to a normal that we have not seen in a while. As well as, staying safe.

Here is to an amazing school year for all.

Stay safe!

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Back-to-School Tips, Post COVID-19

Last week, you received the official word from your kids’ schools: they will be returning to in-person learning this fall. After a year-plus of online learning, which certainly had its challenges at times, you are pretty pleased with this news. At the same time, you admit you are a bit unsure about the return to the “old normal” in school.

With this in mind, consider the following do’s and don’ts to help prepare your kids — and you — for going back to school in person.

Do: Buy Them New Clothes and Supplies

Last year, you might have skipped over the entire back-to-school shopping trip, and for good reason. With at home-learning, your kids didn’t really need new backpacks, shoes, t-shirts, pants and socks, and you bought them lined paper and pencils as needed. To get them into the back-to-school routine, treat them to new clothes and plenty of school supplies, including roomy and sturdy Nike backpacks that will hold all of those fresh boxes of crayons, pens, pencils, paints, paper and more.

Don’t: Expect a Seamless Transition

Even if your kiddos are chomping at the bit to get back to school in person and see friends and teachers again, they may still have a bit of an adjustment period. As Hun School notes, remember that your kids may feel awkward, and the school day may not be as smooth as it was prior to the pandemic. After months of being at home, getting back to a loud and crowded school building might feel a bit overwhelming — and that’s totally okay. Reassure your kids that you know it may feel strange going back to regular school and it will take a while to get used to it again, but that it will all be okay and you are there for them any time they want to talk.

Do: Get Your Kids Back on a Schedule

As you probably noticed pretty quickly, the online school “schedule” was quite a bit different than the usual routine. Your kids could literally roll out of bed five minutes before class started on their laptops, and they could grab snacks as they wished during the day and often stayed up later than usual.

As Children’s Minnesota suggests, create a schedule for the return to in-person school; routines will help kids to feel calmer and more prepared for their day, so get back to old habits including set wake-up times, good breakfasts, preparing lunches, study hours and regular bedtimes. Your kids may balk at this idea, but consider starting the new wakeup and sleep schedule a week or so before the first day of school; this way, when their alarms go off at 6:30 a.m. they will be more ready to go.

Don’t: Be a Negative Nellie

Maybe you wish online school was going on a bit longer, or perhaps you are really nervous about your kids being away from you during the day. To keep your children as calm and confident as possible, strive to keep any negative feelings to yourself and reassure them that all of the teachers and the principal want them to be healthy and safe, and that the return to in-person school is a good thing. Kids tend to be emotional sponges, so do your best to be positive about their return to the classroom.

Do: Have a Great Year

There were probably times during the height of the pandemic when you wondered if your kids would ever go back to school in person again. Now that you know they will be heading back in the fall, it’s time to get back to the old familiar routines. By treating your kids to new clothes and supplies and getting everyone back on a schedule, adjusting your expectations and staying as positive as you can, the return to school should go as smoothly as can be expected.

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Going Back to School at 30: 5 Things to Consider

We’re all well aware that having a college degree is a key indicator of a successful career, but what if you didn’t go to college after leaving high school or you started your studies but didn’t complete them? The good news is it’s never too late to go back to school and gain further qualifications. So, if you’re in your thirties and thinking of going back to school, here are five things you’ll need to consider.

Decide How to Pay for Your Studies

One of the main considerations when returning to school as an adult learner is the cost. Will you continue to work full or part-time while completing your degree? Are there scholarships available for your chosen course? Are you entitled to any kind of financial aid? Does your employer offer a tuition reimbursement scheme? If you need to fund your studies and pay for your college course yourself, student loans are one of the most popular solutions. There are several ways to access funds, including taking out a loan from a private lender to pay your way through college. It may be possible to save money by finding a school that accepts on the job experience or previous coursework or study as credits to offset the length/cost of your course.

What Do You Want to Get from Your Degree?

Before you start your course, you need to know what you want to get out of it. Perhaps you started a degree in the past and now want to complete it. Perhaps you are looking for a career change or subscribe to the idea of lifelong learning. No matter what your reason for starting, knowing why you are studying will help you to stay motivated for what could be several years. Therefore, you need to determine the reason why you are doing your degree. Knowing this will also help you to choose the correct program.

What Do You Want to Study?

Even if you have a clear idea of what you would like to study, you will need to do your research before you commit to a course. Speak to professionals in your chosen area, research the current job market; what is the market demand for your chosen profession, what kind of positions are available and what are the industry-standard requirements for these positions?

Find the Right School and the Right Program

As a mature learner, you’re unlikely to have the guidance of school counselors, teachers and parents to help you with your decision, so you’ll need to research potential schools independently. This means carrying out in-depth research into your chosen colleges. Whether you’re planning to attend college in person, enroll on an online course or a combination of both, you need to know that the college meets your needs. Find out about the age, accreditation, and cost of the program, together with its reputation within your chosen career field. Review the program – will there be other adult learners on the course (if this is important to you) and is the course structured so that you can fulfill any family and work commitments while you study?

Create an Achievable Plan and Stick with It

Starting college is an exciting time and sometimes it’s easy to get carried away when creating your study plans. As a mature student, you may have many things to juggle other than college life, so you need to be realistic. Create an achievable study plan that will help you to stay focused while giving you time to fit in your other commitments. It may help to include milestones and rewards to keep you on track and motivated. Effective time management is key to ensuring that you achieve everything you need to achieve, and calendars and to-do apps can help here. Learning the art of multi-tasking such as learning while you eat or travel can help to make the best use of your time.

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Back To School: Now Is The Time To Work Together

Back To School Blues

It’s that time of year again, yes it’s back to school time. However this year is very different form the pervious years. This year as an educator, I do not feel the excitement that I wish I felt. Actually with the Covid-19 pandemic my worry and anxiety is really high. There are a million things running through my head.

First, what will this year look like? Are we going to go back to school? If so what does that look like? Will the kids be okay? Are we going virtual? How are we going to reach the kids who do not have access to the material that are needed to keep up? What about the kids who are being abused? What about the kids who are hungry? What if I bring Covid into my house? What if I bring Covid into the school and expose my students? Is it safe to go back? What if there is another huge outbreak?

Seriously, it is all very overwhelming. It is all very scary. And it is all very politicized as well. Which to be honest, is not making me feel any better about all of the things that we are facing this year. And to be quite frank, there are not a lot of answers to the questions that are swirling around in my head right now.

But, here is what I can promise as an educator:

I promise that I will continue to give my all to the children that are in my classroom and in my building.

Because they deserve the best that I can give them. I promise to put my health first because in doing that, I am putting your child’s health first. And I will do everything in my power to keep my risk at a reduced rate.

I promise that I am going to do everything in my power to make my students feel safe.

I know that for our younger ones and the ones with special needs are going to have a hard time coming into my room and not being able to see my whole face with a friendly smile. That the classrooms are going to look very different and that we are not going to be able to do some of our normal activities. Because my goal for this year is to make sure that all of my children learn as safely as possible no matter what that means.

I know that none of these is ideal. And I know that we do not have all of the information that maybe we should have. Believe me, it is just as frustrating to me as well. We are all having a hard time making the right choices and truth be told, that is because we do not have all the information to make these choices.

So what should we remember?

We should all remember that there is no good choice right now. Let’s be real, there is not really a good choice that is going to resolve this issue. We also do not really have any direction coming from the top. So not every teacher in every district in every state is going through the same thing. Yes, we are are going through similar things and the issues are mostly the same. However, some districts are going back, and some are going virtual.

The thing is that that we are all overwhelmed. This whole situation is insane and then we add all of the worry that we have on top of that. So teachers give yourself a break because the reality is yes, this is hard and yes, we are being put in impossible situations. And no, we do not have the answers that we need or deserve and it is not fair. However, we can all work together.