Year In Review

As the 2016-2017 school year comes to a close, I decided it would be fun to look back on all we did at Carver Elementary this year.  It was our busiest year yet, and by far, the most fun.  We laughed a lot, grew professionally and got to know each other a whole lot better. Reminiscing about the activities that shaped us as a building was simply a blast.

FALL
The change at Carver began in the fall.  That's when my Twitter obsession began.  Oh, who am I kidding.  It's when my Beth Houf obsession began.  I stalked her Twitter page constantly and by stalking her and what she was doing, I also saw what others in the world of Twitter were doing and it was inspiring. My focus as an administrator changed, and in turn, the entire culture of Carver Elementary changed. This was the time  #tweetingtuesday began, as well as highfive highways/fist bump Fridays, and so much more. As I continued using Twitter, and more ideas were introduced at Carver, I could feel the pendulum swinging and I loved it.

We kicked off Worthwhile Wednesdays in the fall as well.  While we had begun our mini PD sessions at the end of the previous school year, I knew it was going to be even more amazing this year and boy was I right. It only took a couple of weeks before I no longer had to ask for volunteers.  Teachers were now coming to me and asking if they could present on something they were doing in their classroom. I knew there was no turning back when I saw strategies being used on Thursday morning that a teacher had presented on Wednesday afternoon.  To say our Wednesdays are worthwhile is an understatement.

WINTER
As fall turned to winter, there was nothing but amazingness happening at Carver, and as I reflected on what we were doing, I knew it was time to start blogging. This was something I had wanted to do for some time, and I couldn't wait to share with others everything we were doing. So a blogger I became and I've never looked back. My high school English teacher, Gloria Ball, would never believe it.  I was a shy, quiet student (yes, I really was) and most definitely, not the smartest in the class, but I took in all she was teaching and I hope I make her proud with each blog I write.

The winter saw some familiar events.  Our annual Veterans Day was as moving as ever. Each year, we try to add something new and this year was no exception.  A group of Carver teachers brought the crowd to their feet (along with many tears) as they sang American Tears along with 560 students. I still find myself searching my facebook page to hear it from time to time. The Veterans were also presented with a homemade red, white and blue pillow thanks to "Maw" Jones.

While we traditionally have parent nights at Carver, we decided to spice it up a little more this year. We wanted to go big or go home, so we went big. It was a hit, complete with passports and visits to classrooms to learn about different genres. All students were invited and grade level teachers worked together to provide activities more meaningful than the traditional cookie decorating that often accompanies the reading of a book. The teachers worked together to made it spectacular. Actually, when I look back on the year, this might have been the activity that started all of the team building. I knew it was only the beginning.

As the winter months moved along, Carverville was held and it was as exciting for the kids as always.  We added a restaurant this year that went nicely with all the other businesses, which were run by the 3rd and 4th grade students. My favorite part was watching the big kids helping the younger ones shop in each store. So sweet!

December, though, was a month like no other.  I didn't know that I would see such competitiveness when I decided to have a door decorating contest.  Each team chose a theme and got to work.  While I loved walking down the halls and looking at the doors (even the ones with mine and Mr. Phillips' face adorning them) what I loved the most was watching the camaraderie among the teams as they stayed after school to complete their masterpieces. The togetherness didn't stop there though.  One cold evening, we all got on a yellow school bus and headed out into the community to deliver goodies in what we named our Carver Christmas Cookie Caravan. Before we headed out though, we had to take part in the latest craze...the Mannequin Challenge. Such fun. We ended December with our annual Progressive Dinner at school and again, a mannequin challenge preluded the event.  It might have been on its way to becoming an obsession.

Most teachers get the winter blues, but not us.  We were too busy with exciting things happening at school.  We greeted the kids back in a New Years kind of way complete with loud horns, 2017 glasses and party favors. I'm pretty sure the parents who were dropping their kids off  loved it as much as the kids themselves. Later on, Carver held our version of a Student Led EdCamp, thanks to Mrs. Williams, our librarian, and the fourth graders. The kids were also treated to our first No Worksheet Holiday.  It was such a hit, we had another one.  While I loved the Kindness Workshop, where our team members stayed after school to paint kindness pictures and kindness rocks, make kindness signs and much more, it was so exciting for me to take several students around town to deliver what we had made to community members.  I hope the kids will always remember our random acts of kindness. We ended the month with the surprise giveaway of the MY BOSS THINKS I'M AMAZING T-shirts to all the team members in the gym to everyone's surprise. Why? Because my team is AMAZING.

The winter months were coming to an end but not before a few more surprises were in store.  That's right.  Trading Places was coming. Teachers were going to trade places with each other for the day. I think several were a little skeptical, but they did it and I hope they gained an appreciation for their colleagues after it was over. The anticipation at the Teacher Reveal Party, where balloons were popped to find the name of their assignment on a piece of paper, was one for the books.  For me personally, Shadowing a Student all day was another highlight (especially the bus ride home) as was using my CATSmobile to work from in the hallways.  I think the kids finally got used to me outside their classrooms.  I'm not so sure about the teachers though.  There was one more treat in store for me.  Beth Houf was presenting at the METC conference I was attending in February.  Of course I was going to attend her session. There was never a doubt. Then it happened...I actually went up and met her.  Well, I introduced myself as her stalker. She was just as amazing in person as I knew she would be.  Little did I know within a few months, she would be surprising me.

Spring was upon us, but there was no slowing us down.  No way. At the METC conference, I was inspired by a video showing a ball pit, adults and meaningful conversations.  I took that idea and made it fit Carver. The kids love hearing The Price Is Right music coming on over the intercom as they wait to see who is called down to the ball pit. I took it a step further when I decided to call teachers to the pit. They may not run down the hall clapping their hands like the kids do, but I like the think they enjoy it too.  One of the best things that happened in the spring with the team, though, was the Selfie Scavenger Hunt. As I read LEAD LIKE A PIRATE and saw this idea, I decided we would do it...the very next day.  And we did.  That might have been everyone's favorite activity all year. Who knew driving around Neosho taking selfies could be so fun. I just thought the door decorating brought out their competitiveness.  I had no idea.

May was here and so was the time to unveil what had been secretly planned for months.. the CATS Awards. I loved planning it as much as watching it unfold before my eyes.  Individualized awards, a pretend red carpet, the team dressed in formals, community presenters, amazing hosts, etc. It was the perfect ending to a perfect school year. This is also when I was surprised with a video message from Beth Houf telling me that I lead like a pirate. I was speechless...but for just a moment.  Oh wait. Let's not forget that I made Darren Cook an internet sensation with the awards show.  He says I owe him, but I think it's the other way around.

The last week is here and we are just as busy as ever.  We held our first ever Talent Show and it did not disappoint.  I won't have much time to process it though, because I'm off to see RON CLARK at his academy the last day of school.  What an ending to an amazing year!

I get inspired all over again, as I type this. I can't imagine our school year without all these additions. I've already been planning for the start of the next school year.  Was your school year this inspiring? Have you enjoyed your year this much?  What can you do to make a change in your building? What activities would you like to add? If you were to write it down and reflect would you be able to say you had the same AMAZING year in review.