Category: Random

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Feeling Grateful

Thank You

So…um, is it seriously the end of December already? I feel like 2015 has been a complete whirlwind! Wasn’t it just a few weeks ago I had to fix a few IEPs for writing 2014 on them?

Yet here we are! Some of us have had incredible years – great coworkers, students learning, growing, maturing, personal and professional development. But others of us have had a rough year, maybe the worst one we’ve ever had. And maybe some of us feel like we can’t possibly get through one more year in the place we’re in.

But regardless, I hope that you can take a breath and look back at at least a few moments of your year to remember the moment a student finally “got it,” the time when you saw something in a way you’ve never seen it before, or that one second you smiled to yourself and though, “THIS…This is why I chose this.” Maybe you can think of hundreds, but maybe just coming up with a few is difficult. Regardless, I truly believe that we do one of the most difficult jobs that exists. Whether you’re a teacher, social worker, counselor, psychologist, SLP, administrator, classroom aide, or something else completely, please know that you work miracles every single day, whether you feel like you do or not!

Each of us has something special to bring to our students and school communities every day. We might mess up or not always give our best, but our unique talents and quirks may make us one of the only people that can reach a student. You are irreplaceable!

As I look over the year, I smile at the thought of the incredible coworkers I’ve been honored to work with. I laugh in disbelief at how I was able to possibly service a caseload bigger than anything I’ve ever had to juggle before. I even shake my head and smile briefly at the chairs and other flying objects I’ve had to dodge on a few occasions. Sometimes all you can do is laugh (and hope that it never happens ever ever again!)

In my TpT life I can definitely smile too, for I feel nothing but gratitude for the support I’ve experienced from all of you. I always tell people how incredible it is to have developed the connections I have with counselors, social workers, and educators all over the world! Your experiences, stories, and ideas enrich both my practice and my life. So thank you. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

In addition, your support has enabled me to donate to 5 different charitable organizations since August. 5 incredible causes impacting potentially millions of people. Whoa!

As a final farewell to 2015, I’m planning to offer 10% everything in my store today through December 31. Get your January planning done now and be able to enjoy the rest of your break stress free – while getting some last minute donations in to a great food pantry!

Happy New Year!

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A Year of Giving :: December – Local Food Pantries

December
If you’ve been following along, you might know that I’ve decided to donate a portion of the proceeds from my store to a different charity each month. My original goal is to do this for a year, but I hope to be able to continue it even past that!!

December is often a month that is used to draw attention to the issue of Hunger. According to Feeding America, 1 in 7 Americans struggle to get enough to eat, the majority of which are children and the elderly. Feeding America’s 2014 study reveals that each year, their network of food banks provides service to 46.5 million people in need across the United States, including 12 million children and 7 million seniors. Through a network of 58,000 pantries, meal service programs, and other charitable food programs, the Feeding America network reaches people in need in every community across the U.S.

So this month, I will be donating 10% of my store proceeds to my local food bank. They serve almost 50,000 individuals every single month. And the really cool part is that every dollar gets magnified many times more than it would if I bought and donated food on my own. Only $1 can provide a family with 6 meals. SIX! Talk about stretching a dollar!

If you’re in the financial position to help, I encourage you to do so, either through donating on your own to a food bank of your choice or purchasing any item in my store. I’ll automatically donate 10% at the end of the month!

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Sale :: TpT Cyber Smile Sale!

2015 Cyber Sale

So, waking up before the sun after having eaten 40 pounds of turkey, sweet potatoes, and green beans, and then waiting in line only to check out with $200 worth of things you didn’t actually need from Target isn’t really your thing? (No offense, Target, you just always have the ability to make me decide on a whim to refill my gum collection, buy 12 DVDs “because they’re only $5!”)

Saving 28% off teaching materials, lesson plans, and activities in your pajamas from the comfort of your own home more how you like to do things? Well, tomorrow and Tuesday only, you can save on EVERYTHING in my store, including all my Winter Holiday items. Just enter the promo code “SMILE” at checkout to get and extra 10% off already discounted items (10% off items already 20% off = 28% off…just trust me)!

But don’t wait too long. This sale will only be going on 12:01 AM Monday through 11:59 PM on Tuesday. So, head on over and grab lots of goodies to get you through the rest of the year. Won’t it be great to not have to plan until next year!?