Let's Start at the Very Beginning

So, here I go, off on the adventure of a lifetime ... for the second time.  In a few short weeks I will be standing in front of a MY class of 3rd graders as essentially a first year teacher. 

Ok, let's go back a few years and explain this whole thing. I graduated college in 1992 and was hired that fall to teach ... you got it! ... 3rd grade! After ten years teaching in that district, and covering grades 1-5, I left to care for my children, all four (at the time) of whom had been recently adopted from foster care.

Shoot forward 11 years and here we are. Four of my children are grown and two are still at home (yep, you got it, there are six now) and I am ready to return to full-time teaching.  Having a large employment gap made things a bit challenging when competing in today's economy but it all worked out as I believe it was meant to.

I was actually hired into the first district I'd applied to out of college so many years ago and I'm thrilled to have my chance now.  I will be teaching on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, home of the Oglala Lakota, in South Dakota and I can't wait.  I'll be the first to admit that I spent a little extra time and attention when teaching the Plains Indians part of my fifth grade Native Americans unit! Now I get to incorporate that culture into my WHOLE CLASSROOM!!

Having began my career in 3rd grade, I find it rather fitting that I shall re-begin my career in that grade as well. For now, I am scouring the internet for the latest, greatest teaching ideas!

Inspire me, fellow bloggers!