Welcome! My name is Naomi, and this channel is an invitation to journey through life with me-- an ordinary life full of simplicity, littleness, and joy-seeking adventures. I'm not really sure what I'm doing most days, but isn't that everyone? Let's embark on this chapter of authenticity together. For and with all the Grace and Goodness, I hope to encourage your heart to find and fuel your passions as I do the same for mine.
Came from a video of yours from 4 years ago! It’s cool to see you’re still a teacher, that’s awesome! I’m thinking about going back to school to be a teacher so I’ve been doing a ton of research. Your videos are so informative! Can’t wait to see your teaching journey this year!
I’m hoping this year makes you fall in love with teaching again! This will be my 12th year in education. Like you, I had a year which made me question myself and this career. I realized that the source of my burnout was classroom management. I read, watched, and studied that following summer and made adjustments which seriously changed my life as a teacher and allowed me to sincerely love my job. It is hard work to dig deep into what is causing the burn out. You should be proud of yourself for doing that. I am praying that our Blessed Mother holds your hand and accompanies you into this new school year and that God blesses you in your work.
I'm so happy to see you back! Your honest update is so helpful. I've had so many severe ups and downs during my past 8 years of teaching, and watching vlogs like yours truly helps me stay focused on my passion. I am meant to be a teacher, and I'll do it as long as I'm able, even though there are too many days that I want to do anything BUT this crazy job. Burnout is real, and so brutal. I've really been trying to deeply relax this summer in order to go through another marathon year doing what I know I'm meant for. I have taught grades 2, 3 and 4 and 2nd grade is MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE. I was moved to 1st grade for next year and I'm nervous... but like you said, I know I can teach any grade. I look forward to updates as we all head into the 2024/25 school year! Congrats on 2nd grade, I know you'll love it!
I just love your channel so much. I am also Catholic and have been a public school teacher for 12 years in Louisiana. God bless you on your elementary journey. 💜
I like how you were able to express yourself when you diverted all the narratives to how you felt burned out because you felt like you weren't being yourself and I love that you put that out there…. I feel as though there are many more opportunities online vs in reality because you can create in your own way without the guidelines of just being one way which can be too consuming of someone's time & energy… I would keep exploring options and definitely open up your own business that's dedicated to outside teaching tools & enhancements 😊
I taught 2nd grade for over half my career and I loved it. They are a great age group to teach, as they're still young enough to have a sense of wonder about everything. Just be consistent in routines and class management and it will help with overall discipline of 7 and 8 year olds. Congratulations on your new positions and have a great year!
New viewer as of today. I was a second grade teacher in a Catholic School in New York State. It is a great grade to teach. I hope you have a wonderful school year. I will look at past videos as I wait for your next new video. God bless you and keep you strong and healthy. 🎉
Congratulations, I taught second grade for 3 years!! They are a great age and very fun 😊 I am now an English as a Second Language teacher, I am always here to offer any advice when needed. Good Luck this year!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I think sometimes people underestimate how difficult transitioning out of teaching can be. The job market in my area is tough and I’ll be heading back to the classroom after leaving halfway through the year last year.
Congratulations on your new job! I’m about to start my 10th year and there are still many times when I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing! That’s just part of the job, every year and every group of kids are a little different. I’ve been watching your videos since your first classroom set up and I can see the spark and joy you have for teaching, so I’m glad you found your way back 😊 I’m sure this year will be amazing for you!
Best of luck in your new position. Don't stress too much about the gaps or anything of that sort. It is evident you have what is needed for a teacher, the energy, the capacity, the patience, etc. We need more like you to stay in the profession.
Welcome back!! I've only taught first through third as a gen ed teacher. Second grade is by far my favorite!! (I'm an elementary special education inclusion resource teacher now.) You are going to love it!!
Congratulations on the new job! I started my teaching career at an independent private school and made the switch after 3 years to public (both in the Nashville area). As you said, there are challenges in both but also rewards. Burnout is real, and I'm hoping the switch to 2nd grade will be a refreshing new start for you. I actually taught Pk-2nd grade art this summer---totally out of my wheelhouse; I have only taught 5th-12th. I loved it, and 2nd graders were my favorite! Best of luck to you.
Congratulations! As John mentioned, consistency is key when teaching primary. Set expectations beginning on the first day and review regularly. You've got this! 😊
When it comes to teaching second graders, be sure to be consistent with directions and review constantly what they are learning. Speak with the third grade teachers and ask them what they expect their students to come with academically. This will help you to set goals throughout the year. I am entering my 32nd year of teaching in August, and burn outs happen every five years or so, and it is a matter of managing your energy and taking time for yourself. Best of luck to you. Take care, and thank you for your video presentation.
You are going to love the lower grades! I used to teach 5th grade and the day I switched to K-2 was the best decision ever! It definitely is a different beast but so fun!
So exciting! Also, watching this the night on the day I had my graduation from University to become a teacher too, specifically for English and Catholic Religion. The latter is a regular subject at school here in Germany.
Praying for you!! When I made the jump from 4th to 1st, I loved it so much more!! (A lot of what you mentioned in this video is crazy relatable. You're not alone!!)
What a beautiful and rewarding experience.!!! As a Catholic School teacher it is something I would love to experience and bring back to me students. Speaking of which, are you still teaching? You don't vlog classroom videos and was wondering because I reall wish there were more catholic educators making videos to help provide content on teaching in a catholic school. Wishing you contiual blessing from God. May you follow in the path He has for you. Alicia from CT
You have done such a great job! You had a LOT to sort through from the previous teacher. I’ve been there! You should be proud of yourself. Hoping the school year is a great one!
Yes!! I LOVE teaching but the beginning of the year (and setup) can be so overwhelming! I always plan my vacation right before school starts- it means I work earlier in the summer but totally worth it to relax the week before we start the chaos! You are doing great! Love your videos!
Hey! Love seeing your progress. I’m a 1st year 3rd grade teacher and am shocked at the amount of things I need for my class! Btw, you look a lot like Kristin Johns, if you know who that is
I literally had a break down my first year teaching when I had to go through every shelf of stuff filled to the brim. It was so overwhelming 😢 I’m glad you had a good attitude!
I've had this process happen to me a time or two...it can be very frustrating but just keep purging!!! Even throughout the school year as things come up that aren't yours and you realize you don't have a purpose for, toss or donate them! I am still doing this with my current classroom which I've had a couple years. Yours is coming together! <3 You're going to love 4th grade! It's the best.
Things will get better over time, and trust your instincts when it comes to setting up your classroom the way that you like it. Enjoy the ViewSonic and I hope that it will be set up so that you can connect it to a document camera or an ELMO projector. Thank you for your video presentation. Take care.
I’m a 4th grade teacher and moving classrooms and have to declutter and move previous teachers stuff…been at it for 2 days and just now able to start getting to organizing my stuff.
Okay wait I love all the storage/baskets that the previous teacher left! That is an exciting "gift!" The blue/green woven baskets are the most PERFECT containers for books if you sort by series/genre/topic. I used those in my 4th grade room, and they were perfect! (They're from Hobby Lobby.) Mary goes on a shelf in my room, but yeah, I would feel weird putting her above the crucifix too hahaha Good luck finding the perfect home for her!
I’m sure you will make this room beautiful and functional like you did with the other classrooms. I know how you feel because I had to move schools 3 times in my first two years and then once in the third school I had to move classroom almost every year for the first 9-10 years. It was horrible!! Thankfully, I haven’t move in the last 8-10 years!!🤞🏼
I was where you are last year and have moved 3 times in 3 years (Yep, this year as well). I know the feeling! Last year, we just emptied out every shelf, drawer, closet and arranged in piles (A pile for reading, a pile for math, etc.). Then, going through the piles we either kept or got rid of. I invested in a lot of extra large, clear bins. I also had a "container store" from emptying containers when clearing out! Lol. Do you have help? I had help and it was a lifesaver for sure!
Try to divide your room into quarters and work on each section at a time to prevent feeling overwhelmed. When everything shut down in 2020, your incoming fourth graders were in kindergarten and will need tons of support with reading, phonemic awareness, and basic math skills. Give yourself time and grace to meet your students where they are academically. Best of luck to you and take care.
