Coming Up for Air

Yep. That's me. For the past two months.

At the end of January, I decided to attempt to renew my National Board Certification this year (my certification expires in 2018, and I did not understand the "two chances to renew" aspect before a January seminar).

OK...Deep breath...I wasn't planning on this, but maybe it will be a good thing.

Things were rocking along until mid-March. Things at home took an unexpected turn. I found out I was Top 16 Finalist for Alabama Teacher of the Year (definitely exciting, but it required an extra classroom video and reflection with little notice). The May 17 deadline for submitting my National Board renewal was getting closer and closer.

Good stress...Bad stress...A whole lot of stress.

There were a few times I wasn't sure how much more I could take. There were a couple of times I was ready to throw in the towel and run far, far away.

This past Wednesday, I submitted my National Board "Profile of Professional Growth" (a week early!).

I also traveled to Montgomery for the Teacher of the Year reception. What an honor to be recognized along with so many other inspiring educators, to get to represent hundreds of other excellent educators across the state, and to be able to tell a small part of my story.

Thursday morning, I began to feel as if I was emerging from the weeds. By the grace of God, two "biggies" were completed.

Oh, things are still stressful (aren't they always?), but I'm not feeling as pressed as I was.

Typically, around state testing each year I begin to look ahead. I start making plans for the next school year. I knew I was under some pressure when next school year was the farthest thing from my mind. I wasn't sure I was going to survive THIS school year!

But now, I find myself able to see beyond the next couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to getting caught up on my grading (I'm sorry, kids!), getting my disaster of a classroom back in order (#mrsgibbscleandesk is the hashtag that wasn't this year), and making plans for next fall.

This is not a "what's going on in my classroom" post, but I wanted to write SOMEthing; it's been too long!

I'm flipping a semester review again this week. I will also give my students an end-of-year survey and reflection. Surely there will be something classroom-related to write about next weekend!