2 A.M. Find!!!

I'm lying in bed, exploring Pinterest trying to get even more ideas for my classroom, when I go over a pin that was all about classroom organization. There were some really great things on this pin! I was scrolling through and I found something I LOVED! It is a collapsable file folder that can be hung on the wall! I have been thinking about having some sort of filing system where the students can turn in their papers and this thing is perfect for that. Not only does each section have labels (for the older kids) but it is color coded so the younger kids would know where to put their papers even if they can't read! PLUS at the end of the day/week all I will have to do is fold it up and I have all my papers neatly filed so I take take them home to grade. And it was fairly cheap too! Only $14.99, that and the fact that I am a terrible impulse buyer had me taking out my credit card at 2 A.M. :)

Such a good idea for teachers, thought I would share!

Now that summer vacation is in full swing, I've been spending my days researching on the computer! I know I should really be outside, but last week there was a significant increase in job openings. I spent quite a bit of time researching schools and filling out the applications (those can be quite lengthy). I am still being a little picky about where I have been applying, and I have been questioning that lately. I have been asking myself "Is it more important to just have a job for next year? Or have a job that I will love?". I believe that I have come up with an answer to my problem. My game plan is to continue to do what I'm doing until the end of July, and if I don't have a job by August, then just apply everywhere. Ideally I would like to stay in the area, but if I have to move to get experience that is what I will do! So for right now I'm just going to keep calm and carry on :)

In the mean time, I have been spending the rest of my computer time getting things ready for my classroom! First I spent way too much money on Etsy, buying signs for my classroom and saving ideas for what else I can buy there. I have also been looking at Teachers Pay Teachers for signs, organizational tools, classroom management ideas etc. Mostly I have been looking at the freebies (since I spent so much on Etsy!), but I did find something that I am interested in buying that is in their top 100 list. These Brain Breaks for the Classroom are a great idea! They can be used at almost any age, and there are plenty of ideas so you can pick and choose which ones you want. Plus I love the idea of having them on popsicle sticks. I think this is great so that students can take turns choosing, or you can easily leave them out for a sub during the day. Check them out if you haven't already! If I don't find a job until the end of the summer, I'm thinking about starting to make my own products on TPT just for some extra cash flow. Also, from all of these things I have been researching I just started writing down things I still need to buy for my room if I want it to function smoothly. And boy there is a lot, and the list just keeps on growing! I have the rest of the summer so hopefully by spacing them out I can get a lot of prep work done for my classroom because I WILL have one come fall! :D

I have just recently started following a new blog, Young Teacher Love. I think this lady is very relatable for me being a new teacher, and she has so many good ideas! I've added her button on my sidebar, but check it out! She already has so many followers!

Unfortunately I have not had a lot of good news to report the last few weeks (note the time between my posts). Out of the three interviews I had, I have heard back from two. Both of these districts said that they would not be advancing my application at this time. One of those two offered to have me come back as a sub in the fall, which I thought was nice, but I'm hoping to have locked in a position by then.

The other district I have not heard anything at all from them. I'm hoping that the reasoning is that for the positions they had open right now I may not be a perfect fit for, but they are still considering me if something comes up in the future.

This has been disappointing for me, because these were districts that I really wanted and thought that I had done well in my interviews. But I'm keeping my chin up! There have been several more job postings since then that I have applied for, and it is only the beginning of June so there is still plenty of time. I'm trying to utilize the networks that I have and I'm checking websites quite frequently for postings. I may not have any updates for awhile, but maybe I will get a surprise soon! Everything happens for a reason, I must be meant to do greater things in other places :)