Marvelous Surprise

Marvelous Marvine stopped by Chets on Monday while I was out. I know this because of the wonderful handmade surprises I found on my desk this morning. Marvine has been retired for years but she can't stay away. Every year she creates a wonderful handmade themed surprise for the faculty as a gift when school opens. Once a Creeker, always a Creeker!

Nine Reams of Paper Later

Ugh! That's all I have to say about that.

The End of the Line!

We've had a fabulous Literary Pumpkin Week at the Creek! We have decorated pumpkins as book characters, our littlest students have paraded the hallways dressed as their favorite characters, and tonight this wonderful week culminated with our PTA's Food and Fun Carnival. I'm always last - last in line at the hallway treating and last out of the building well after 10 PM. Truth be told - I love this night and I love being the end of the line!

Baby Boyd of Dance

Today Chets students got to experience a dance demonstration by former Creeker, James Chip Boyd and friends. Chip has been touring internationally with the Bad Boys of Dance who will be performing 2 shows at UNF this weekend. He is an incredible young man and this show is not to be missed. www.jameschipboyd.com.

All Hail The Queen

"The Queen" held court today and I was lucky enough to be in attendance. I have worked with dayle timmons my entire teaching career and boy do I feel lucky. We have teased her by calling her The Queen ever since she was selected as Florida's Teacher of the Year in 2004, but really, she is. She makes teaching look positively effortless when we all know it is anything but. As I watched her have a book talk with her first graders while I read the introduction to the Kevin Henkes author study she has written and rewritten, I was moved to tears. How blessed we have all been to have spent time talking, thinking, writing and learning with her. My one regret is that that time is becoming shorter as she plans retirement in the next couple years. I was shocked to find out later she was nervous, just like every other teacher is when they are being observed. I'm not sure why I was surprised - dayle is a teacher's teacher and I'm glad I've had 20 years as her student.

The Theme Is Everything

At Chets the theme defines the year. Evidence is everywhere you look, in our communications and serves to focus us around a single purpose. It is highly anticipated and top secret until the reveal at the end of the year. Each year I have people guessing or trying to trick me into telling them. Today I got my first theme suggestion for the year. :) Thoughtful, creative meaningful. You never know...

The Blessed Boss

Yesterday my 'plate' overflowed with school and family life and I never got to my post but today cannot pass without sharing. This morning I got to have breakfast with the best faculty and staff on the planet. They ordered pumpkin donuts from Cinotti's (my fav) and gifted me with a beautiful orchard and a gift certificate for the restaurant Blue Bamboo. Wow!!!

I've never felt like a boss but I have certainly been blessed to spend my school days working shoulder to shoulder with incredible people for the good of children. I learn more from them than they could possibly learn from me! Thank you for honoring me today!