More than just National Donut Day

National Donut Day 🍩 was SO MUCH MORE for me this year than just getting a free doughnut (even though I must say...that Krispy Kreme doughnut was delicious).

You see my 6th Hour class this past semester LOVED donuts. In fact, this slight 'obsession' surfaced so strongly within the first 3 days of class that I added it to our classroom expectations, and, of course, I treated them to a few dozen once they earned it together as a classroom community. A student also brought it up again while signing my yearbook last week and suggested I open a donut shop. (We'll see about that. 😆)

​​I mention this because today's nationwide celebration of this delicious pastry immediately made me think of my 6th hour class...
which made me think about all my classes from this past semester....
which made me think about this entire school year...
which made me realize that it's already been one week since the END OF MY FIRST YEAR as a teacher.

(click "Read more" ->)

I gave an "End of Class Survey" as I always do at the end of the semester, so my students have an opportunity to give me feedback on how I did as their teacher and what they thought about the class. The photo shows a few comments from the survey that really stood out of me. It was truly a remarkable semester, and I owe that credit to a lot of people: my first semester students, my mentor teacher, my colleagues, my building administration, and my friends and family. THANK YOU for your continued support.
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​There's so much I could talk about related to my first year teaching than is socially acceptable to type into a blogpost, so I'll leave you with a few final thoughts from this school year:

• l made it a goal to laugh every single day - my students made this easy!
• I've had trouble sleeping on several occasions from how a school day went, but I've learned & grown so much as an educator because of it (#growthmindset)
• Grading is one of the most time-consuming things in existence
• I want to know where all my loaned-out pencils went...I think they're in the same abyss where single socks end up
• Never comb your hair a different way before school...the first sentence out of a student's mouth will probably be "What's up with your hair?" and/or "Sorry Mr. Oates, I don't like it..."
• You know you've made a difference when a student who used to frown and simply "go through the motions" suddenly smiles at you in the hallway, says "Hi!", and begins actively participating in class

​and last but not least...

• I can't imagine myself in any other profession

#firstyearteacher = ✅