I'M BACK - WEEK IN MY [teacher] LIFE | Ep. 4 

I don’t think anyone needs to feel guilty when they disappear for awhile, especially first year teachers!! I am glad you have hit your stride and are back. When you said you’ve been having the best two months of your life, it warmed my heart. 🤗

Glad all is well! I've been teaching 28 years and still have a struggle finding a healthy balance. You and your grade partner deserve a standing ovation! Two first year teachers in first grade??!!! That is not easy!! You are so articulate and smart! Your videos are great! Always put you and your family first and students a close second! :)

As a teacher, I totally understand your struggle to find the work and personal life balance. This is my 18th year of teaching and I still struggle with not allowing teaching to take over my life at the beginning/ end of year and report card time. As a teacher, our job is never done. There is always more we can do. It is up to us to set limits. I'm happy to see you back! 😀

Welcome back! You’ve been missed.

I was just thinking about how much I enjoyed your videos this summer before I began student teaching!! I'm now more than halfway done and so happy you're back to offer more teaching advice!!

I feel like you've grown up so much since you've been gone:) So happy for you for finding balance. This is my 21st year and balance it's still a struggle at times, but you can't pour from an empty cup! Hope everything continues to be amazing!!

Would love a sit down video of what expectations of the first two months. What worked, what didn’t, what you wish you would have known, what you think you’ll do different next start of year. Glad to see you back! I literally gasped when I saw your video! My husband was like, “What!” 😂 “My favorite RU-vidr just posted and it’s been a long time!” I was afraid you had quit cause the students had eaten you up!! 😂😬 So glad you are well and thriving. Can’t wait to see more from you. Thanks for your honesty.

So, so proud of you - as always! Thank you for sharing so transparently about what your first year has been like so far. I am right there with you - running myself into the ground burning the candle at both ends... but coming to realize that's a pace we can't & shouldn't sustain. You have nothing to apologize for - taking care of yourself and your students should always be your top priority. I am proud of you for recognizing that! So glad that you are back in this space so that we can "hang out" again. ;) Love you forever.

+Putting Them First Hello Ms. Lauren !! First , Welcome back . School is challenging for everyone regardless if you are teacher or student so sometimes things get overwhelming but at the very least you are acknowledging your online community here . I wish more of My Summer Camp friends would do that . It would make my time on FB more worth my time . Second , I am an autistic former SPED school student born , raised , and living in Shelbyville , Tennessee and I am a Florida Gator Fan so I am happy to see that you are a Gator . Stay positive and enjoyable with your students and they will look up to you as their bright spot where I come from a time where I was more afraid of school and specifically when it comes to elementary school in My Town . Keep education fun ! , - Dwight

So glad for the update! Always prioritize you when you can because you will give so much to this job. It is easy to become consumed by the job. Your honesty and positivity makes my heart happy and makes me strive to be better after 15 years of teaching. Prayers for continued success!

Yay! So excited that you’re back!

So glad you’re back!!!

Great to see you again! Glad to hear you're taking care of yourself. Good reminder for all of us teachers! Thanks

I am also a first year first grade teacher and WOW we have had a very similar experience. I completely burned myself out and it has taken me until now to really find somewhat of a balance. Hope you are enjoying your kiddos as much as I’m enjoying mine now that it’s becoming routine💛

Yay!!! Girl, I’ve been wondering where you’ve been and hoping things have been okay. So glad to watch your videos again!

We’ve missed you!! I have learned in my first 3 years of teaching that it’s best to stay after school & complete your work and then you are free at home lol! I used to take all my work home with me & now I never bring anything home lol. I’d rather stay over after school and prep and get prepared for the next day lol. Sooooo glad your back! ❤️

So happy to hear you have found your groove! Loved watching your entire prep for the year! Absolutely love your content and passion for education. Your enthusiasm is infectious!! This will be my ninth year teaching third grade and even I have struggled at times with finding that right balance. Sending you lots of luck and success this school year and for many years to come! 😍❤️🍎

Girl you HAVE NO IDEA how much I need to hear this! I am also a first year teacher who has been following your videos! I am glad we are on the same page! I absolutely love my class, but I am also draining myself as well...it’s so refreshing to hear this from someone else that is at level with you. I too feel like I am just NOW finally getting it! BTW I am also from Florida too!

I’m so happy you’re back filming and I’m glad you are okay and succeeding in your classroom! You will make it through this tough first year, you’ve got this 💞

Wow this is so relatable! We all feel you!!! I’m so happy you hear you have found your stride 💓💓💓

It was so great to see your video! Glad to hear you a finding a balance. That’s so important! I look forward to seeing more vlogs IF and when you can. 💗

It's such a delight to see you again! Thank goodness you're doing well!

Lmao! Same girl same. It’s my first year teaching too and I had the same rollercoaster. You’re so not alone. I still feel like I stay for a long time after school, but that’s to avoid bringing work home. Finding that balance is hard. Sometimes I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. I love your vlogs. And don’t do too much. This year is hard.... seriously. Lol.

So so happy that you’re back! I missed seeing your rainbow classroom 💗

Welcome back!! I love watching your videos! Makes me so excited for my own future classroom! I’m glad you found what works best for you & your kiddos! ☺️

Welcome back!! Thank you for your candid words, I think it’s so important that people understand the ebb and flow of finding your stride. I’m glad you’re doing well and that things are going great with your class!

Welcome back! I've thought about you and your class a lot since your last video but I'm so glad you chose to prioritize your mental health first, that's so important! I am currently in my last year of school getting my masters, so I will be in your shoes this time next year...which is so crazy. I've loved seeing all of the ups and downs of the start of your first year, it makes me feel less nervous for what is to come!

Im so happy you found your happy medium. Welcome back🥰

Glad you’re back! Would love to see your weekly objectives.

I’m glad things are going well ! Finding your groove takes time! Take care of yourself!! Thanks for the update!!

I am very happy to see that you are back!!! Love your videos

Welcome back! I am so glad that you found your sweet spot, it takes some teachers (many) years to find that, so congrats for being so in tune with your self and your students! I love watching your videos, because I am a 6th year 5th grade teacher, and I love the joy and honesty you bring to the teacher RU-vid community. Teaching is HARD, but also SO joyous!! Keep it up girl!

First year teacher here too, and I totally feel all of the emotions you described in your update. I love your positivity and how open you are about your experience!

So glad you are back. Missed your bright and cheerful character. I’m glad you got your teaching stride back.

Yay!! Your back

So happy you’re back! 💖

As a first year teacher, I totally understand! I was burning myself out too the first month or so into school. I enjoy watching your videos. It’s refreshing to have someone who understands what I am going through. Keep up the great work!

That anchor chart is adorable. Welcome back, your positive personality was definitely missed! Have a great weekend!!

I'm also a first year teacher and totally relate to everything you explained about your first 8 weeks!! I am also just now picking things back up after taking some much needed time to rest. Glad you are making videos again! 💕

I’m so glad you’re back. I was wondering how your year was going. Everything you’re experiencing right now is typical for your first year. Don’t let the stress get to you. Keep your stride through to Christmas break. You’ve got this!

So happy you are back 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I love your videos !! ♥️

Welcome back! I love your videos!♥️

Welcome back!!!!! We all have been there, but glad to see you back. Keep up the good work

Happy to see you back... October is a tough month with so many activities happening so don’t OVERPLAN 😃💪🏻

So glad you’re back! I’ve been there too.

oh girl...this is me at the beginning of every year. you are awesome!

I have missed seeing you and your bubbly smile...... I am soooo glad you blogged. But, I do understand you need to take care of you and find your niche - specially being a first year teacher....... So happy you are back...... 👏👏❤️☺️

Aww I’m so happy to see you!! I think about you every time I put on my Physicians Formula Coral Minerals! ☺️ I’m so glad you found your happy medium and that you are enjoying life again! ❤️

So glad to see a new video!! YAY to you for finding a happy middle instead of beating yourself up with non-stop work. The balance is hard to find, but glad you are there now. Miss you sweet girl!!

YAY!! So glad you are back, I have been looking out for your videos wanting to hear your adventure so far. I too am a 1st grade teacher plus first time teacher as well. Watching this video I was pretty much saying to myself, "yup, saaame!" Just like you I was doing to much in the beginning and forgetting to take time for myself but know I am have a better balance. I am glad you are back and I look forward to see more videos.

Omg I have been waiting ages for you to post! Checked your channel a few times because I thought I was missing the updates!! Happy to see you back! 😊

So glad that you are back. I would check often to see if you had posted & worries that something was wrong. The first year is so hard, glad you have your stride. Looking forward to future posts. Remember you’re only one person. 😊❤️

I was so happy to see that you had posted a vlog! I have been worried about you and praying for you. I know how teaching can take over your whole life! Finding a balance can be difficult at times. Remember to give yourself grace. ☺️ You do not owe any of us anything so please do not feel pressured- just glad to see you are smiling and doing well!! 🌻

Glad u are back!!! Missed you bunches

You were missed. Glad you're back!

Teaching is a tough job! You will probably never feel caught up. It’s good you found a balance. I’ve in my 22nd year of teaching and I still have to remind myself to put my work down and take are of myself and my family. I’m glad you are sharing your teaching adventure😃❤️

Glad you found your groove!! Beat wishes for you this year!!

Glad to see u back! I tend to work too much like you...you just feel so responsible for those little people entrusted to you😊! Glad you have found your balance!

Missed your videos, but glad you're doing better. 😊

Wow, you are amazing! I retired after 41 glorious years of teaching. I was a lot like you for many, many years. I devoted my life to teaching. It was such a rewarding experience. For a first year teacher you are doing a fantastic job from what I can tell. Always remember it’s all about the kiddos you teach. Ignore all the politics that go along with the job. Thanks for posting, I enjoy watching you and your outstanding classroom. Enjoy, it goes by fast. 😀

Aghh this made me so happy! You’ve been missed greatly 🤗 nothing wrong with taking time for priorities but I am glad you’re back! Watching you this summer was so inspirational as I will have my own class next year! 😊 I did notice that you said you had a lot of things you thought you needed and didn’t and were missing things you did need! I’d love a video of that in more detail! ☺️

I'm glad that you're back. Please take time for yourself.

You are my favorite human I am so happy your back

Oh man I can so relate to spending every waking minute of my life doing work for school! I am a first-year teacher as well and the mental exhaustion is real. I feel like I am finally in a groove for the most part, but still learning every day. With no reading or writing curriculum, it can be tricky. Thankfully my teammate has been teaching for closer to ten years and my principal is super supportive.

Omg!! I'm so happy you're back!!

Also in my first year of teaching, and I’ve just made it to half term (UK). I have been like you, I’ve loved it and I love my kids but it has been so hard and so tough to find a balance on how much work I should be doing. When I did too much I started to resent it but then when I wasn’t doing anything I was feeling guilty and I hated not feeling prepared! I think I’m finally in my stride now too and hoping that the next half term I will feel more in control! Well done for your first 2 months, love your videos! Xx

Yay! Missed your videos!

Welcome back Lauren, my first year was tough too. I was working 11 hour days (7am - 6pm). As you said your mental health takes priority. I can honestly say the workload does get easier. I am in my 3rd year of teaching now. Your classroom looks great! A message from London, England

I’m glad things are working out. It is so hard to find balance between work and home.

Welcome back

So happy to see you back! 😃 This last semester before student teaching has been and still is stressful. I’m trying to focus on doing what I need to do and not stressing over doing the extra stuff.

I’m on my second year of teaching and really just found my stride. I tried to do so much my first year on top of dealing with a lot of personal stuff and I was so burnt out at the end of the year. I started out this year in much the same fashion and quickly readjusted to meet not only my students’ needs, but mine as well. I’m also co-lead of my grade level this year, my grade level’s PBIS representative, and I teach in an after school program while also creating/analyzing various data recording forms for my school, so it was very imperative that I found my middle. Lol

It's great that you recognised when to stop! It only leads to poor health and resentment of the job. Take it all at your pace, especially in your first year - everything takes much longer. You'll feel so much better about things when you've completed a first full year. It all starts to come together and remember, you cant be everything to everybody. Lovely to see you back. xx

Definitely missed you, but I totally know how the beginning of the year is, so I completely understand!

So sweet to see your happy face here again! Glad you were wise enough to take care of you! Just remember: you won’t have to repeat this first year and everything you are taking the time to prep will make next year so much easier! Make sure you are saving examples and taking pictures! File it all away and you will thank yourself next year! My heart broke when you said your team was a first year too and you had no lead teacher! I’m so sorry! I’ve been the lead teacher for my k team for about 6 years and I spend soooo much time helping/mentoring my new teachers that have come in to our team! Bless your hearts! You can do it! Then, a word of advice from this 26 year veteran: I take one day a week to plan for the next week. I get all my lesson plans done for each day. I try to do this on Monday or Tuesday. Then the rest of the week I make my copies and gather all my materials for those lessons. I have everything for the next week ready to go and organized on Friday. This way I can come in on Monday and every day that week and be ready. And yes, there are things we as a team add at the last minute and I just roll with it. I started doing this about 12 years ago. It has made my life so much easier! It is a process to get into a pre planning routine, but so worth it. Just food for thought. You are doing a great job! And remember: your classroom will still continue even you don’t have everything exact! Take time for you and your family and give yourself boundaries! Your students are blessed to have someone as committed as you as their teacher!

im almost done with my first student teaching experience in 1st grade and i have loved every second of it!

Your first year is always the hardest. You will be fine!

Yay!!!

This sounds a lot like my experience! I’m getting better. Not my very first year but new district, school and grade level so it is pretty much new!

OMG I missed your videos so much.

I have missed you!! Love yiu😘🥰❤️😍

Have you thought of batching your tasks? For example, I prep the next week's lessons on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays (one subject prepped per day). I grade on Thursdays and Fridays. I teach 6th, so it depends on the grades, departmentalized/self-contained, and many other factors. However, I'm so glad to see that you're finding your stride. Also, the Truth for Teachers podcast by Angela Watson is amazing! I highly recommend.

Yay!!!!!

I teach first grade in NY, and we teach the math modules too. Hang in there! 🤪

Would you be able to show some of the centers you are doing for them? I am really happy to see your videos again.

Yeah we need like a ponderssa🤯

It is so hard! Girl just do what you gotta do. Go through all the phases - indulge, reflect, vent, cry tears of joy and frustration...... Does your district have a mentoring program? I am a first grade teacher in my second year and if there’s anything I can do to help let me know. We are all in this together!

My school does Eureka Math too :) so awesome that you use it. Not many schools do. I am on year two of teaching it. If you ever have any questions about it, I would love to help! :)

This was SO my struggle my first year too!! I’m trying to create a RU-vid channel but I’m going through this same pattern of highs and lows when it comes to filming. Like I’m too tired to film then I have a ton of energy and want to film all the things then I don’t want to edit... omg

School haul now has a TV🤯

You've obviously not heard about the Del Torro movie based on that book series (it's a scaarrrry series from the 90s).

Lol...you don't know the girl with the green ribbon around her neck story? My mom reacted to it the same way to did, but I loved that story as a little kid. 🤣

🎉🎉🎉🎉 I am so happy that you found your balance! Teach me please! -5th year teacher

Whew girl, I thought I talked fast until I watched your video. I kept thinking is she gonna slow down cause it felt like you had two seconds to get out every full sentence lol

Do you have a video explaining your compliment behavior management strategy??

We went to Penn culinary it is finally fixed🤯

By the way, I’m totally going to borrow your awesome anchor chart!!!

These won't leave so we can do our homework🤯

Can you tell me what the first book is on your look what we have read board?