Hello, hello!

I feel like I’ve been going non-stop since I got back to California on Monday night. We’ve officially started the summer professional development and I am loving it. It’s extremely motivating to be around so many people who absolutely love what they do and are so passionate about blended learning and education reform. In case you’re just now tuning in, I am working at a Rocketship school in San Jose as the ISE (Integrated Special Education) teacher. I’m extremely excited about all the professional development and preparation we have in store for us during the next 3 weeks. Can’t wait to meet our kiddos though!

On the first day of our PD, we learned our Rocketship creed that the students and staff repeat each morning.

We also spent some time developing a “student-friendly” version of our mission. Because kids should know the expectations and the mission behind why they do what they do. What a concept.

After work yesterday, we had a happy hour at The Loft in San Jose. It was really nice to meet some people at the national/regional level. It definitely makes this community feel really close-knit.

Side note: It was pretty humorous to see this minor edit on the baby changing station.

I would never leave my bottle unattended. Unless it was empty.

After happy hour, a few of us strolled down to Original Gravity for some chicken sausages.

I got the spicy chicken sausage with candied jalapenos. I was dumb and didn’t realize that candied = sweet. That is gross. Who eats sweet jalapenos?

Once the candy was off my hotdog, I was a much happier camper.

I am so, so, so happy to get to work with some of the most hard-working and driven people that I’ve ever met. I feel like I’m at a much better place mentally as we start off this school year and I am determined to make sure I take care of myself. Yesterday during PD, we wrote out a list of action items that we needed to complete over the next two weeks. I made sure to include a few personal items on my list.

• Sign up for the meditation and/or yoga class at the community center 
• Register for a race so I actually have motivation to keep up with running
• Make a bucket list of places I want to visit or restaurants I want to try in the Bay Area
• Cross at least one thing off said bucket list each week.
• Start AM workouts again.
• Aim for at least two just-for-fun books every month.

I need to constantly remind myself that if I’m not happy and healthy, I will not be as effective as an educator. I also need to remind myself that it’s not selfish to carve out “Me Time.” It’s beneficial for everyone in the long run!

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Your Turn: 

• What’s on your current “action item” list? 

• What’s on your current bucket list?

• Any good book recommendations?! I’m all about the self-help and realistic fiction section! 🙂