A Floral Dress and First Week of School

The summer is officially over for teachers (and students)!  As usual, the first week of school came and went so quickly, I didn't have time to post these photos from my last week of summer vacation before now.  Ah, well.  It is never too late!  

First things first: Target is killing it right now!  I have bought a few pieces from Target that I am really excited about.  This dress is one of them.  I will definitely be wearing this dress this fall in two ways.  For work, I'll add black opaque tights, a cardigan and low brown pumps; and for play, I'll wear it with thigh-high socks and boots.  

Secondly, many people are wondering about my new work situation.  Only thing I have to say right now is that it is amazing!  And there is a low-basically-none-existent turnover rate for a reason!  Also, I am now teaching high school, which is a huge change from teaching junior high, more about that later.  I am now commuting to work via subway instead of riding my bike, walking or taking the bus.  This is also my first time working in Manhattan, so that will be interesting.  It is definitely a much faster, busier pace, so I'm curious to see what observations I'll make as the year progresses.

Back to this outfit.  I felt like a girl in this dress!  I love wearing white chucks with dresses for a playful look.

This artist has been putting up/creating murals all over my neighborhood.  I wonder what her story is...

One last thing about this dress: it has a back zipper!  The most flattering cut of a dress has a zipper.  This allows the wearer to adjust herself into the dress, and accent the waist.  Love love!

Until next time,
<3
M

A Cultural, Foodie Adventure

What a beautiful weekend!  On Saturday O and I had a cultural/foodie adventure.  Seriously. In the span of a few hours, through sunshine and an intense downpour, we ate, pondered over art, ate some more, and thoroughly enjoyed our day and each other.  For our date afternoon, I reached deep into my closet and put together a funky outfit reminiscent of my most truest, stylish self.  An outfit that got me thinking: I should go thrifting and vintage shopping in Brooklyn ASAP.  It's been too long!

My main piece was this Harriet's Alter Ego dress from at least six years ago, worn here as a skirt.  The tied striped top was inspired by a girl I saw on my way home from the gy.  Tie, my top?  Why not!  I liked the pattern mixing, very fun.  The cardigan was a way to go from cooler to warmer temperatures seamlessly.  The clutch was a polished touched to this funky look.  Initially I had my purple cross over, but that was a bit much.  In the end, my purple lip was just the right touch.

J.Crew cardigan, tank, Harriet's Alter Ego African print dress, sandals from DSW, coach clutch, Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, Heroine lipstick by M.A.C.

Pattern against pattern against pattern.  Yes!  This mural on a random block in Williamsburg gave me life.  I love when I find beautiful patterns where ever they might be.

 I love the asymmetrical nature of this skirt.  Very fun, and definitely flirty without being too much.

Another mural in Williamsburg.  I appreciate art in many forms in and many places.  Art against art.

 This skirt inspires me to do two things: one, take the African cloth my grandmother gave me in Congo years ago and get some pieces made and two, shorten the long skirts I had made into something more wearable.  I'm envisioning midi skirts, or just below the knee.  As for my cloth, I've been flirting between a structured dress and shorts, or some skirts made.  Will see.

Here I am inside the Domino Sugar Factory after viewing Kara Walker's Subtlety exhibit.

One of the many sugar babies at the exhibit, each made of molasses and dusted with white and brown sugars.

After view the Kara Walker exhibit, I happened across a wedding at the waterfront.  The most beautiful part to me was the openness of the nuptials.  There were people who happened by, who simply stopped to listen to the sermon and bare witness.  Definitely a beautiful, Brooklyn moment. 

Here's the best thing I ate that day.  Fried anchovies, Jersey style AKA with the head on, with a tasty dipping sauce.   I finally made it to Smorgasburg, where I hit up the Bonchovie stand and sampled some other eats.

Here's my best Yelp elite, total foodie photo.  Finally a decent one of me chowing down.  If this day is any indicator of the staycation I'm gearing up for after the school year ends, I can't wait!  Summer in Brooklyn is truly the best.  Even in summer nine, I still know that to be true.

Until next time.

Love,
M

Teacher Tuesday: Time Flies!

Rosie is wearing Rogue in Love by Lacome and I'm wearing Exhibit A blush by NARS

Time has been flying by!  As a teacher looking forward to next week's Spring Break, I'm okay with that.  As usual I've been super busy-- writing lesson plans, gathering my artifacts (those of you teaching in NYC under the new teacher evaluation system know exactly what I'm talking about), being a graduate student, dealing with work drama and maintaining my social life.  On top of everything, I've resumed my exercise routine and am planning a last-minute, awesome spring break get-away. Yup, Puerto Rico here I come, again!

Here's what Rosie and I wore during our latest Teacher Tuesday session:

Rosie is wearing a Promod floral top, her go-to J.Crew Factory pencil skirt in burgundy, navy Hue tights and Saccoo Mary Janes.

I'm wearing a nearly neon yellow J.Crew Jackie cardigan, muted rose blouse from ASOS, GAP wide-leg pants and Fyre pumps.

Rosie's necklace is vintage, my necklace is from J.Crew Fractory

I love the way our colors look here!  I believe these big smiles are the result of our classmates pretending to photo bomb our seemingly random photos.  Yup, I do have a blog.  I forget that sometimes as well.

I like that Rosie mixes metals with her hoops and necklaces.  I love the balance of silver and gold, perfect way to compliment warm and cool tones.  Similarly, my necklace plays off of my grey pants as well as my cool-tone cardigan, and paired with my gold nameplate and rose blouse, my outfit's colors are perfectly balanced.

side-ponytail adds a fun element to this teacherly look

i love Rosie's David Yurman bracelet  Love love!

I don't usually wear pants, but a decent pair of trousers go a long way.

Yes, my blouse has cut-outs under the color. A fun, yet professional detail.

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  Time flies, but it is important to enjoy all aspects of life.  That's something I am thankful to have learned by now.  A lot of teachers engage in countdowns for weekends, breaks and summer vacation at all times.  While I appreciate an occasional countdown, I can't imagine only living for the days off. 

On that note, time to dig deep into my closet and plan outfits for this week without having done laundry and being assured that what I pick out will carry me through what I know will be a trying week.  Warm weather plus an impending break equals off-the-wall sixth graders.  Yet, as I affirmed during my challenging run today, I will teach and the children will learn.

Until next time,
Love.
Miss M

Being Myself at Work

A co-worker told me I looked sparkly today, and shiny.  Yes, I'll take it!  While my response was, I needed a little shine today, honestly, I enjoy sparkle everyday.  The older I get, the more I realize that I'm the type of woman who uses her favorite perfumes as she pleases, wears her lipsticks daily and does her best to live life fully.  If not now, then when?

Express dress, Gap 1969 denim shirt, Hue tights, Frye Regina pumps

One of my affirmations today, said in front of the mirror before getting dressed went something like: Thank you Universe for one more day to be myself.  More than the leather dress, this meant taking time to address and nurture social emotional learning.

I had an impromptu discussion with students today after class.  I always knew my students are dealing with all kinds of issues, but what I heard today bought tears to my eyes.  While I don't think a teacher should cry tears of frustration or anger in front of her pupils, I felt comfortable sharing drops of empathy with my students today.  Life can be hard, especially when it is out of your control.  But my message to all is, it gets easier. Learn from today, put your work in where it counts, and believe the future can get better.  It will.

bow mid ring and gold ring from Forever 21

On that note, I thoroughly enjoyed my outfit today.  Why not sparkle at work?  I believe in showing up in life.  I may be hours behind in sleep and with a never-ending to-do list, but that doesn't mean I can't do my best work.  What that looked like for me today was showing up in my faux leather dress that I eventually covered in chalk, and a tiny midi ring.  Yes.  Life is good.  As I prefaced the message I shared with my students earlier, I am blessed.  And while the discussion I faciliated wasn't planned, nor was it Common Core States Standards aligned, it was socially and emotionally relevant.  In my eighth year and current placement, I am struggling to find the space to do what I deem necessary: teach the whole child.



With that said, I enjoyed my mix of neutrals.  The blue tights were a nice touch to the denim shirt and leather dress look.  The brown leather pumps played off of the gold necklace and watch nicely.  As much as I wanted to wear my Heroine lipstick today, I figured purple lipstick and a leather dress would simply be too much for my kind of work.

Until next time,
Miss M

Creating Balance

It is so important for a teacher to maintain a life out of work.  Those of you who know me well, know that this is something I am usually good at.  Ever since I reclaimed my life from teaching, balance is something I prioritize.  I usually maintain my social calendar, exercise several times a week, get eight hours of sleep and work on side projects.

However, lately between my second semester of graduate school for my administration degree and my second year working at my current school with a new co-teacher, I have been neglecting balance.  I did manage to see a good friend for happy hour in the middle of last week, but to only work and drink would be regressive and a little too much like my first few years of teaching.  I digress.

This is all to say, today I made it to the gym!  And yes, that deserves an exclamation point.  Despite running a 10K last month, without much training I should add, I have not been exercising during the week at all.  Today, I lifted before cardio, and during my sprinting portion of my 20 minute session of intervals, I found myself repeating the following mantra: I will teach <insert class section> and <repeat class section> will learn.  That came to mind as I ran hard, when I really wanted to be done with the day and at home already.  It felt good, and uplifting.  This particular section is challenging in ways, but they are learning and today was a good day. 

Something teaching has taught me is: take each day as it comes and count even the smallest successes.  The day a teacher gives up and stops trying, no learning happens and she, herself, is miserable.

On that note, time to write a paper as I watch Greys Anatomy on Netflix.

<3,
Miss M

Cropped Pants and Ruby Woo

Here's my Monday outfit.  There's something easy about cropped pants.  I back to biking in heels.  I enjoyed the flannel-otherwise-casual-button-down with cropped-work-pants.  I buttoned my top all the way up and added a long necklace for interest.  My bright red lipstick finished off this look, adding polish to an otherwise simple look.

MAC Ruby Woo lipstick, J.Crew Factory giraffe necklace, Warby Parker frames

Old Navy Flannel shirt, Gap cropped pants, Frye pumps

I'm One of Those Teachers

Someone asked me today when school starts up again.  I seriously sighed before answering: "in about three weeks."  Honestly, I would have to look up the exact date.  I'm one of those teachers.  I know when, but not exactly when.  I have another vacation-- up next, Jamaica! with the boyfriend and our mothers -- another week until the end of the month, two days of work after Labor Day and the students come in after our four-day weekend due to Rosh Hashanah.

In my last school, I always got a letter each year from the principal, welcoming everyone back and letting us all know when we could enter the building early.  I used to go in for a day or two with my colleagues and work on my classroom-- cleaning, decorating, putting up colorful paper, adding personal touches*, and of course organizing.  Last year, at my current school I went in for a professional week in August.  This year I will be doing none of those things. 

It took seven years, but as I begin my eighth year teaching, I feel confident that I can put together a room worthy of the "Best Classroom Environment" awards I used to win at my old school during our two days at work without students.  Even if that means I work through lunch in between professional developments and stay an hour or two after work.  Maybe this is me trying to hold on to summer just a little bit longer; regardless seven years has gifted me the ability to not worry about things that will get done.  Setting up a room, writing out a list of rules expectations and planning the first few days of school is the easy part.  Sustaining a thriving classroom with control**, classroom culture and actual learning is the hard part.

On that note, time to pack for my next vacation.

Love,
Miss M

* I love color and vibrant prints, so past classrooms have included curtains made from fabric purchased at discounted rates and cloth over the teacher's desk and other surfaces.

** In other words, control in terms of classroom management is when the students make the right decision without your prodding.  This of course is a result of teaching routines and procedures, giving consequences and the like.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I am officially one of those teachers who wears red, or pink, on Valentine's Day.  It only took seven years, but I now participate in all the fun, cheesiness of being a teacher.

I wore my red skirt from Target today. My co-teacher had a deep pink top. The class paraprofessional had on red.  Another sixth grade teacher had on pink pants and a scarf with pink and red hearts. The six grade hall was festive!

There was even a boy with two heart-shaped balloons tied to his backpack, curtesy of his mother who did not want him to loose them. All who know this boy, understand.   Precious and appropriately eleven.  Thankfully, they were received well from a girl who would stand to be more courteous.

I love teaching sixth grade!

On that note, time for my date.

Love,
Miss M

A Student Again: Paperless in Grad School

I am offically a student again. This time around I am trying to lessen the paper load and keep as much as I can digitally. I read my articles online or in Dropbox, take notes in notepad, and only carry my iPAD to class.
The thing is, I am such a paper person. I begrudgingly made the switch from paperbacks to a Kindle due to the lure of sometimes-free books. I still receive the NYTimes Weekender on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, though I read the paper online during the week when I have time.  I enjoy the feel and look of paper. And thank goodness for my tablet because reading the paper on my basic Kindle is not the same. Fewer photos, and I've come to appreciate the interactiveness of reading online.

Yet, yesterday as I sat down to do a good two hours of reading and note taking-- ah the joys of being a graduate student who this time around is literally watching the money go from her account to the bursar's for tuition-- I initially longed for a print out and my colorful highlighters and sticky notes. I love me some school supplies!  But then I thought about paper cluttering my already not-as-neat-as-I'd like apartment that I had managed to tidy up between the gym and studying after a long day at work, and I refocused.  The last thing I need is a bulging notebook to lug around along with my change of shoes, lunch bag, water bottle and what ever else is in my tote bag.

With that said, I do have a few textbooks to read, so I will be getting some colorful bold ink pens and sticky notes with lines on them. But I will continue to type notes because I certainly will not lug any books uptown from Brooklyn along with my work gear. Unless it's Waging Peace in Our Schools which I started last night and have decided would make for good subway reading.

And since my professor gave the option of downloading our handouts instead of printing them, I will be doing that as well.

I'm excited to be in school again, and as I alluded before since I am paying out of pocket this time around, I want to fully commit to being a student despite my busy schedule. We'll see how that goes.

Love,
Miss M

Balanced in Year Seven

Whenever I think of my first few years of teaching, water comes to mind. 

My first year, I struggled to keep my head above water.  I went to work early, I stayed late and yet, I still felt I could drown at any moment.

My second year, I still struggled, but from the vantage point of having my toroso above water. 

By my third year, I was finally learning to swim.  The shore was both in sight and in reach.  That was the year I embarked on a campaign to reclaim my life from teaching.  And that I did.  I rode my bike to and from work-- often dropping pieces of my day along the way.  I started yoga.  I made dates during the week, enjoyed a few happy hours and once again started to read for pleasure.

Teaching can and will consume you if you allow it.  I have learned to be organized and resourceful enough to be able to leave work for the most part at work. There is also an emotional/mental component that is challenging especially when you work with children with complex home lives, but that is for another post.  So for now in year seven, I am especially grateful for balance.

Love,
Miss M