Mr. Toll

How can I get Antonio to stop calling me Mr. Toll? I can't decide if I dislike that more than "teacher." At least he has the "Toll" part right.

Smiling:
When I asked the afternoon class today what made them laugh 3 hands went up....
Viviana said "Church makes me laugh." Another little girl raised her hand and said the same thing. Then Elijah B. said "You make me laugh Ms. Toll."

I think that was more flattering then if he had said "you make me learn Ms. Toll." I think it's important for teachers to be so well rounded and to build unique and positive relationships with their little ones. Of all of the people he could have said made him laugh he said me. Day 4 and I have already earned their friendship. I'm beyond honored.

Boys...boys....boys

Out of 33 students, 22 are boys. The Universe is trying to tell me something I think.

The funniest things were happening all day. I am still trying to figure out the little nose pickers, but oh do they crack me up and make me very happy.

In the morning class when we were playing “Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?” we were passing around a VERY SMALL green beanbag, and one student picked Ethan to toss to. Well, it wasn’t really a toss, it was actually a chuck right to the head. I figured it couldn’t of hurt, but then he instantly smacked his hand to his forehead and put his head down and held his breath. He covered his eyes with his other hand. For two minutes I tried to make sure he was okay and comfort him and he wouldn’t drop his hands or say a word. I looked at my assistants and none of us knew what to do, all of the other students were just watching… then, he lifted his head and said “It hit my toy!” and he held up his miniature Iron Man figure that was in his hand at the time of the incident. My assistants and I instantly started laughing so hard (possibly the hardest I have ever laughed in front of my students), which created the rest of the class to laugh so hard too. We then moved forward with our game of “Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?”…that had to be one of the funniest things I have seen in a while.

I think I should propose that a production crew make a reality tv show out of my classroom. It would be unlike any other reality show… Like Kate+8 but times 5, we could call it Ms.Toll+33? Stupid name, scratch that… I’ll keep thinking about that one.

Oh, and oh my gosh I totally forgot? You want to know a secret? My students are really flippin’ adorable and here I am on day two, sigh, already in love with every single one of them…. Even Cameron…. Who threw his backpack at me today and kicked Miss Mandi because he didn’t want to come to school. He was fine though after I taught him how to dunk his chicken nuggets into the gravy on his mashed potatoes.

1st day, year 2

Today was a long day. A very long day.

My kids are amazing (duh) and I can't wait to watch them grow. It's crazy that my last class was at the same level as my new students and they grew so much. It was hard to not miss my former students, things just got so comfortable, but I have faith that this new batch will be just as awesome.

My afternoon class was OVER capacity which made things crazy. Not to mention we had like 5 cryers in the afternoon and 2 in the morning, which is 6 more than I had last year. However, I was please to have, this year, a student who cried actually when it was time to go because she didn't want to leave. :)

On a flattering note, I have a student who is in my class because I was highly recommended as a teacher and they only wanted the best for their 4-year-old. So that in itself reminds me of how hard I worked last year and how hard I know I can work this year. Funny thing about this little girl is every time I gave her a direction she responded with "Are you nuts?" Okay Michelle Tanner, that was cute the first time, but by the 12th time I had heard it I was not feelin' in. Oy. Kids.

I really felt the love and support today, which was awesome. Thanks to all of you who were supporting me and have continually supported me on this journey. 

Day by day. One day down, one day easier.

Keep Calm and Love On

Gosh how did it happen so fast?

7:30 a.m., 32 eager little 4-year-old will be inhabiting my classroom. I'm so excited to meet these new characters, but frankly I'm not ready to get use to a new batch of youngsters. I'm afraid they'll make me miss my former students.... who I loved so terribly much.

I can't wait to start teaching and learning. I can't wait to get to know them and to share the next 9.5 months of my life with them.... we'll, actually less because of vacation time. Oy. It's going to fly by.

Be ready for documentation of all the quirky and hilarious things that they say and do. :)


Oh.... and on Wednesday.... if you happen to think of a little ole' pre-k teacher in Gallup, NM say a prayer for her and send her some good vibes because believe me, she's gonna need it.

Love and Learning,

Ms. Toll

Now Presenting.....

Happy Brittany is proud to present: Year 2 of Pre-K (and other super exciting things that will happen this year)

Hey, has anyone seen summer? I swear it was just right here a minute ago, and now it's like totally gone. Well, if you find it please return it to me, thanks!

New classroom. New kids. New goals. New curriculum. New blog. It's gonna be aweeesome.

I was thinking- just because I am a teacher does not mean that I need to only blog teacher stuff. Contrary to popular belief teachers do have lives outside of school (bus shhh, don't tell the kids, it's the world of teaching's BIGGEST secret). In addition to great goals that I have set in my classroom I have also set some totally awesome goals for Ms. Toll, that will in turn effect the goals and morale and greatness of the classroom.... it's a beautiful cycle.  I really hope to have this blog rockin' here pretty soon and hopefully it will be a place where peeps can come to laugh, learn, and enjoy simple pleasures of love and life.

I have a big exciting secret that I can't wait to reveal to my readers and to my students. I think it could change the whole face of teaching and goal setting and really inspire the town of Gallup and possibly the state of New Mexico. Oooooo I'm getting giddy just thinking about it. It's been about 5.5 years in the making so stay tuned for the big reveal. 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some "BIG GOALS" to conclude and a glass of chocolate milk to indulge myself with.

Cherrio.

more to come

Teachers really do need their summer vacation time. Seriously.

I needed a blogging break too, but I intend to come back very soon. :) Thanks to all of you who read, I really appreciate your kind words and I am so happy that Happy Brittany makes you happy. Now see, that's what it's all about, being happy. So thank you for making me happy by reading about my experiences.

Ta ta for now

My Wish

Dr. Seuss knows his stuff....

The Waiting Place....
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

I love that part of the book, it's so true. I often think of these words to help keep me in the "here and now" instead of in the Waiting Place.


Instead of waiting watch these videos:


http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=567340353711&ref=mf


http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=567244640521


My sweet and totally awesome students who I love so much.


"I hope you know somebody loves you...."

Dear World

I can't believe that I have only 3 more days left with 37 of the most incredible human beings that I know.....

Bria
Konnor
Paige
Nico
Aysha
Dominique
Oliverio
Nayeli
Seferino
Payton
Hunter
Kiera-Rae
Asyia
Izabell
Larry
Kodi
Isaiah
Savannah
Jonah
Michael
Donald
Juliana
Cierra
Yoselin
Shobi
Daniel
Savannah
Isaiah
Kyli
Madison
Danielle
Angel
Bethia
Angelina
Adam
Lily
Katrina

How will I be able to give them up? I don't think I will. Why did they have to be so awesome? Why couldn't their snotty little noses have grossed me out enough that I would be able to let them go easier?

Hearing them sing "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts has got to be one of the top 5 best moments of my life. They are extraordinary little people who are going to live astounding lives and do many spectacular things.

Breakthrough

As I wrap up my last month with my students I have been testing them on all the things that I wanted them to know by this point in the year. It's a little unnerving, realizing with only a month left I have very little control left over their successes. I'm just not ready to let them go. Too bad it's not possible to flunk pre-k.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous to test M. He doesn’t choose to participate much and we have struggled a lot to get him to learn letters, words, and how to write his name. Well…… today I pulled him to do his testing and he blew my mind. He has done so well. He confidently knows 9 sight words and more than 80% of his uppercase and lowercase letters combined. I gave him a sticker for his hard work and he proudly displayed it on his forehead. When he was done I asked him “who’s the smartest kid in the world?” and he proudly raised his hand and said “me!”

Any child is capable of anything. It’s so true. The best recipe for success? Confidence. If a student knows they are capable and can do it then eventually it will happen.

"somebody loves you"

Have you ever heard the song "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts? My 4 and 5 year-olds hadn't. I introduced it to them today because my hope is that they will be able to sing it at our school's Spring Program, and again at their graduation at the end of May. It took a lot of self-control to keep the water works on hold during both the am class and pm class' 1st rehearsal. They caught on so quickly to the words and it was one of the loveliest moments I have enjoyed in a long time. Some of them (boys) chose to play "air-guitar" along with the song and that was also so much fun to watch. In the pm class, after they has listened to it 2 times through Danielle came up and hugged me, then Bethia, and Juliana, and Donald, and Madison, and Adam.... the whole lot. They all came up, nuzzled their little noses into my leg and hugged me so compassionately. It was ah-mazing to say the least. I can't wait till they have learned all the words, but I certainly can wait for graduation.

In less than 5 weeks I will have to part with them and that may be one of the hardest things I will ever have to endure. I don't know how I'm going to hold it together. Do other teachers get this emotional? Some of my students I will get to see next year, since they will attend kindergarten here at Rocky View. But some will move to Albuquerque, or back to their families reservation lands, or just to different schools in the area that didn't have pre-k programs. I just can't believe the year is almost over....

"I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin' ?til you find the window
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you and the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish, yeah yeah

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish"