School. Stop reading now if you don't care :)

Soooo school just started. I'm kinda super sad that my kids grew up and are in 8th grade this year. They're so big and look like little adults or something. I told one of my students "Did you just eat and lift weights all summer?" It's so cute how these huge guys are runnin' their mouth to their friends and then as soon as they see me say, "Ooooh Ms. Rogers!!! I miss you. I have so much to tell you" as they're hugging me. It makes my heart happy.

I do have great students this year. I already have a few favorites (shhh don't tell) and a few favorite classes. One of my classes has students that are SERIOUSLY in need. Like, their IEP says 1st or 2nd next to grade of reading level....these IEPs are very very specific on all the things I have to document and test for and do. I have the SpEd teacher in my room with me which is also new. I'm really trying to make her feel like an equal partner in my room and not me the lead teacher and her the helper. I need help with this. She would rather just walk around and monitor behavior and have me do it all, but I want her to use her talents too. She's a lot older than me and has made it clear she's very ok with living in the background. Hmmmm. I don't know quite how to make this work. It's also been quite a few years since I worked with students who are cognitively that low. Still trying to figure that out.

It's been encouraging how much more comfortable my year is this year than last...(besides my bleeding heart for my old students lol) I've been asked to go to a few more conferences and such and all the new teachers ended up in my hall and are looking to me as the "expert" on what to do around the school. What a role change! My guy friends at school have been great about still including me although my friend Becca is in SD. I'm blessed. I'm feeling a lot better about Franklin lately too. All the traveling I did this summer made me appreciate where we live. I actually even told someone when they asked, "So do you like it?" "Yeah, I actually do." Wish it was different in lots of ways, but I'm comfy here for now. I wish there were more "cool" people here....buuuut ya can't have it all I guess.

Missing my girlfriends lots lately too. I have lots to say on that, but won't.