End of the year?

I'm not really sure how people teach (or work, in general) full time, and still have the time and energy to blog. I really like this space, but I wish I could carve out more time to write about the things I've been learning, thinking about, experiencing. So once again, as always, I'm mindful of my absence but hopeful that I can one day write regularly.

With that said, I feel like I sort of stumbled upon the end of the school year. Looking back, it feels like I blinked and found myself proctoring Regents exams and trying to piece together final grades. I graduated from my master's program about a month ago, and just received word that my certification should be passed any day now. It's been almost 2 years since I began my grad work. Where did that time go? Doesn't matter; I know I'm doing what I should be doing, and I love it.

It's hard to pin down what I like most about my job, but one of the top 3 items is getting to meet and talk with new people every day. I'm wrapping up a leave replacement right now, and will be teaching summer school (at the same school) next month. So even though the school year is ending, I am still meeting new people in the building each day, or getting to know people a little better and work with them a little more than I would on a regular school day (as opposed to exam week). Not to mention working with 80-100 kids every day. I love that I get to laugh at least once (and usually much more than that) every single day!

What's on my summer to-do list? Right now I'm mostly throwing myself into planning for summer school. Next on the agenda is to spend more time here, developing ideas for using technology in teaching. I also want to create a site geared for my (future) students: my vision is for it be a sort of portal for ELA and study skills (but with a really sweet UI too!). We'll see what happens ... unfortunately, my little projects don't always come to fruition. :) Most importantly, I will be spending some time on the beach with my stack of summer reading!

I'm not sure what next September will bring, but there will be something. I have to believe that. This year was amazing in so many different ways, and I only hope that next year will be as rewarding. I will keep chipping away. Keep your fingers crossed for me.