As I begin a post that’s all about wrapping up my first year of teaching, it feels appropriate to start with the words,

“It feels like just yesterday…”

But we’ve established that this, my friends, is a safe space for honesty and reflection, so I’ll begin, instead, with these very honest words,

“It feels like it’s been 84 long, long years.”

(Cue Rose from The Titanic [I’d add a picture but I’m pretty sure that breaks many copyright laws and I’m no criminal]).

. . .

As you can probably surmise from the very lengthy gap between my last post and today (December 13?! Uff da.), I’ve been a bit busy. Let’s do a little “wrapping up recap” of the months since December!

– I traveled home to ND over Christmas break and again in May to be with family. The latter visit coincided with my middle sister’s university graduation; she’s off to medical school on the island of St. Maarten – bet you know where I’ll be spending all my school breaks for the next few years!

– I turned 23! I heard a rumor that nobody likes you when you’re 23, but so far so good 😊

– I adopted a dog! Her name is Zoey and she’s my whole world (we might be a bit co-dependent, but the best dog/dog mom duos are, right?!). She just turned 1 and it’s been so fun to watch her start turning from a puppy into a “real” dog (although if the terrible twos were a thing for puppies, my sweet Zoey girl would be the poster child).

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Those ears! That tongue! Those paws! *heart eyes*

– My school began a new hybrid model. Classes switched from all online to a mix of in-person and online learning. While one of my classes remained virtual, I had the new opportunity of teaching both online and in-person classes at the same time. I quickly discovered that I knew far less about technology (why does nothing work when you’re in front of a group of students??) than I previously assumed. I also learned that having students in the classroom with me (even just one student) was way better than sitting alone in my kitchen (although I missed teaching in my pajama pants and spending my lunch break snuggling with my pup).

That pretty much brings us to today! I’ve got big plans for this summer that mostly involve me, a good book, and the pool at my apartment complex 😉

. . .

Looking back, my first year as a teacher was nothing like I expected. I wish that I could fill the rest of this post with all the positive things that came out of my year, but we’re all about honesty, so I’ll be blunt: I just can’t. Someday, but not today.

Today, I’m grateful that I survived the weirdest and longest year in the history of ever (well, I’m not a history buff so I can’t confirm that it has been the longest year, but if I were a betting woman I’d put a significant amount of money on that).

Today, I’m grateful that at least one student learned something in our English class (he learned my class was an easy “A” and left me with the parting words, “Ms. Moberg, I didn’t learn anything in your class this year.” *sigh*).

Today, I’m grateful for coworkers near and far willing to share resources, advice, and guidance.

Today, I’m grateful for friends and family letting me vent, cry, rant, brainstorm, bounce ideas, ramble, and so much more.

Today, I’m grateful that I choose this career and all the emotions that come with it.

Most importantly, today, I’m grateful for summer vacation. 😉 J.K., pretend I ended with that last one, it’s much more moving.

. . .

Time to sign off for now, but I’ll be back (sooner than 5 months from now, sorry ‘bout that)! I’ve got big plans for this next school year and I’m excited to get planning and share some of those ideas with all of you. Right now, my brain needs a little time to process the fact that I actually completed a whole school year of being a teacher. Thanks for sticking with me; cheers to year #2!

(And hey, it can’t get much worse right?! Knock on wood 😉)