teaching life

  • Preschool Stains

    It is impossible (seriously IMPOSSIBLE) to go a single day in a preschool classroom without getting a stain on something.  It could be the carpet, a child’s clothing, the teacher’s clothing, dress-up clothes, a nap blanket, or a lunchbox.  If it’s in a preschool room, it has the potential to get a little messy.  This is for two reasons; Small children do not comprehend the word “careful”.  No matter how hard they try, they are not completely steady on their feet, and with a lack of balance comes a general unsteadiness that makes carrying things incredibly difficult. This being said, children need to have these experiences.  In my classroom, students…

  • The best clothes for preschool teachers

    Teaching preschool is not an easy job.  While I absolutely love my students, they can drain me emotionally and physically, and they wreak havoc on my wardrobe!  Washable paint is not always washable, and more often than not, I really have no idea where that stain came from or what it is – and sometimes it’s better not to know. I’m really lucky because I’m allowed to wear jeans to work – we’re expected to be participating in activities with the children, which often means on the floor, or outside making messes, so it is expected that we will get dirty.  Thank goodness that this is understood, but this means…

  • Finding Balance

    I really needed this long weekend. I mean I REALLY needed it.  This weekend I was able to take the time to find myself again.  Though I didn’t go on a trip or do anything exceptionally spectacular, I did get to do some of my favorite things.  I wandered the fabric store, spent tons of time with my family, read a book, ate lots of ice cream, laid out in the sun, roasted marshmallows with my favorite people, and slept in! It has been far too long since I’ve made time for these things that mean so much to me. Over the last six months I have completely given myself…