BIG First Day Under the Big Top!

The Chets Creek Circus opened today to a bunch of smiling faces ready to perform outstanding feats of learning this school year. Our day started with a WOW for students like no other! The Amazing Yanina and Sergey and their troupe of Dynamic Doggies entertained and astounded us. I can't wait to see what other extraordinary acts await! 

Come One Come All to The Greatest School On Earth!

This week we welcomed back our incredible faculty and staff and hosted a back to school orientation for our over 1300 "acts and performers".  The school and every single classroom looks amazing! We’ve transformed our learning community into a three ring circus, the perfect place to help us clown around as we build relationships, keep our balance on the tightrope of risk taking and take responsibility for our results as we become the ring masters of our own lives! Our wonderful PTA has provided us with the perfect “costumes”—a brand new spirit shirt and our Teacher “Ringleaders” are ready to meet our students under the big top.  There’s free admission to all those who dare to dream!

Free Admission to All Who Dare to Dream!

New Theme from Once Upon a Teacher on Vimeo.

Wild Animal BINGO!

I don't know how you spent your day but I spent mine celebrating with our outstanding readers! Everyone who met Goal 2 in our Readers to Leaders challenge program got to play the ever popular BINGO with me today and win a special reading prize. My favorite part of the day was watching the kids smile and cheer when their friends got BINGO! It was the best 100th day ever!

A Real Hero

Former Chicago Bear Adrian Peterson motivated our 3rd and 4th graders with his amazing story today - Don't Dis My Abilities.  The ultimate story of perseverance!

Job Security

Part of being a good "boss" means being willing to do every job you have the nerve to ask anybody else to do. This morning I took the car loop in the freezing rain. I know I didn't do it as well as my awesome para Nancy does but I didn't get run over and everybody got in safely. I consider it a win! 

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Twenty years ago today I walked into MY first full time classroom at Alimacani Elementary to 28 third graders. I still remember how nervous I was and how excited they were to finally have a teacher. Mike, Stirleen, Ryan, Rodsheika, Shannon, and Laura (who teaches for me now!). I could name them all. I learned way more from them that they ever probably learned from me. I wouldn't trade one day I've spent in a school these past twenty years for any other profession. Here's to twenty more!