My Warrior Family

During the month of April 2011 I made up my mind that it was time for me to leave my Como Elementary family. It was one of the hardest decisions that I have had to make, but it was something that I felt like I needed to do. The people that I worked with at Como Elementary are some of my very best friends. The kids... well, I miss the kids more and more everyday. Needless to say, I didn't leave on bad terms. I just needed a change. I was teaching Self Contained Special Education, grades K-5. So, I had kids from ages 5-11 in the same room. If I got them in Kindergarten I would keep them for 6 years. I was just very burnt out having the same kiddos year after year. In special education it is hard to have the same kids for 3 years straight and see little to no progress. I had some great experiences there and loved every minute of my time there, but it was just time for a change. When I made my mind up that I was going to look for jobs elesewhere I applied at Senatobia Middle School. The job opening that I applied for was for 3rd grade inclusion (my dream job). Inclusion is a term used when a special eduation teacher is in a regular education classroom setting all day serving the special education students in that regular education class. They started this program in order to keep the children with mild disabilities in the classroom as much as possible- their least restrictive environment. I went for an interview and a day later the principal, Mazie Lamb, called me and offered me the job. It was such a bittersweet day. I didn't want to leave my friends and kiddos at CES, but knew it was something that I needed to do. I accepted the job at Senatobia Middle School as a 3rd grade inclusion teacher. I was placed in a classroom with an amazing teacher, Candy Shipp. I absolutely love her. They couldn't have paired me with a better teacher. Work is a challenge everyday, but I have enjoyed becoming part of the SMS Family.
Last Tuesday the 3rd grade teachers and Special Education teachers had an amazing baby shower for me. I walked into the library to see a gorgeous spread of food and dozens of presents. They worked so hard to make the shower a special day for me. They were extremely successful! My grandmother came to the shower to see all the goodies for herself, which was a special treat. I got some great gifts from the ladies, some of which included: a beautiful smocked dress from Linda Till, a spunky little leopard number, and adorable baby bag full of necessities from Jill Lamar, diapers, and a gorgeous blanket, gown, bonnet, and booties from the Red Hall (3rd grade teachers) and the special ed teachers, and an envelope full of money to buy something that was left on my registery.

Some of the goodies that Suzy got at the shower.

My sweet friend, Betsy Hartly, gave Suzy this adorable Peter's Pottery bunny! I will have to keep up this collection for her. I think it would be awesome to start her a pottery collection by buying her a new piece for holidays. She would appreciate it later in life, don't you think?

The ladies in the office got the canvas painted for her room. They borrowed a swatch of fabric from her bedding and had Teresa Roberson paint it for me. It is pefect! The leopard outfit and the smocked gown are pictured! Aren't they adorable!!

There were tons of other gifts, those are just a few. I used the money that was given to me to put towards my carseat. I purchased it this weekend on our way to the lake house. So, needless to say.... The shower was absolutely perfect. I am so thankful to have so many wonderful people in my life at such an exciting time.