I've really missed you!

OH BOY! Has it been a while or what?! I'm pretty sure that last time I posted, I had just gotten engaged, finished my first ever Christmas music program and also broke my foot! Well the end of the school year is here and it is finally summer! With some extra time on my hands, I wanted to come out and brush off the dusty blogger account and say hello!

With this renewal of blogging life, I had started to brainstorm some ideas for the blog this summer and made a list of things I want to think about!

As I went down this path, I realized that I am a person who loves way too many things and can't focus on one topic. Call me ADD but I just  love so many different things in the world! Because of this, I have decided to write about everything that interests me. This may seem overwhelming or unorganized but if so, then that's who I am! I find myself always switching obsessions and projects but I also always come back to the same ones.

If you're prepared to stay with me, this is what you can look forward to!

• I will always love to write about my life of being a new music teacher while also staying fashionable in a Catholic school environment. I love fashion and I will admit I have a bit of a shopping addiction!

• Alongside all of my fashion interests, I love sewing and making new creations or making my own version of something I know I can't afford. 

• I also love baking and trying new recipes for various types of cupcakes and improving my skills along the way. 

• As usual, I am always picking up new hobbies, and with the beginning of the blog, I loved learning about photography. As I go along on this journey, I look forward to learning more about photography and showing off some of my pictures of life along the way!

• On the opposite side of baking, I have recently joined an amazing community called Tone It Up. This community is full of supportive and inspiring women all on the lifelong path to health and happiness! As I have joined this community, I have learned so much about nutrition, new recipes, working out, and ways to live a healthier life.
  
  
• As some of you may know, Tony & I got engaged this last Christmas and the wedding planning has officially begun! We are starting our crazy and exciting wedding journey and I want you to all come along with us! 

Life after college is great. But very different. Join me as I explore life and try to find my passions and what makes me happy! 

P.S. Since in 13 months I will no longer be Ms. Bruck (eeee! :)) and will be Mrs. Ash! I will have to change the name of my blog! Let me know if you have any cute ideas!

Classroom Reveal

After many MANY hours of work and help from my wonderful boyfriend Tony and best friend Chelsea, my classroom is finally complete! I have the before and after pictures so you can get the full effect for how things changed. If you have any questions about my room, let me know!

 Here it is! :)

Before:

After:

 The instrument area (its going to grow throughout the year!)
    Before:

After:

 Before:

 After:

Although we don't need to write class expectations or goals, I decided to put key music words on magnetic paper that I made myself that I can easily remove and put back up. This way, students can look up at the board when they come in and know what to expect for the day.

 Before:

After:

 Seating arrangements: I got velcro and made little squares for the younger students to sit on. For the older grades, they have chairs that are numbered and correspond with the matching velcro color on the floor so the chairs stay in place and don't move around too much!

In the hallway leading up to the music room! The students love it & love touching the yellow brick road as they walk into music class.

My personalized and colorful teacher desk area! Behind me are the new music education core standards  so they we can easily refer to them and I can always reference them while lesson planing. I also have a "Ms. Bruck" section where I'm going to put pictures and info up about me as students get to know me. And behind my computer is a calendar as well as a spot for important papers and information.

I also made the desk skirt myself by sewing velcro on and taping some to the desk as well. 

Here's a look at my behavior chart (TPT) and classroom rules- they are working well so far!

Unpack your backpack night was this last Wednesday! I got to meet some of my future students and they got to meet me and see the new and improved music classroom!! Here a a few photos from the night!

There is still SO much to do and get but its a good start! A lot of students have already started to comment about the "pretty" room & that they want to come to music more now!

Thanks to those who helped! :)

Welcome Week

I've dreamt about it, I've studied for it, I've thought about it, and its finally here.

The first day of school is on MONDAY! This last Monday I had my "new teacher orientation" in Peoria which was not quite as exciting as I had hoped. Today I had my first meeting as an official staff member and had the opportunity to meet all the other teachers. It was an overwhelming but great day.

Wednesday night, we have our "Unpack your Backpack" night in which students can meet their teachers and get settled in before the school year officially starts. Although the music teacher wouldn't normally get many visits, being the new music teacher at a small Catholic school means that people will come pop into my room to check me out.

In preparation for this night, I spent a few hours making a "Meet the Teacher" sheet, a "what you can expect" sheet, and an informational letter that students can take home with them. This post is going to be a bit short because I'm still busy decorating my room but come back to see my classroom reveal VERY soon!

PS If you want copies of these sheets to change and use yourself, just email and let me know!

Top Ten Teacher Thoughts

       Happy Friday everyone! As summer is coming to a close, something special is to come. The NEW SCHOOL YEAR! This may bring many different feelings to people but overall, it is a joyous time. We get to meet all of our friends again, better ourselves through education, and pick out so many wonderful outfits and back to school supplies.

      My favorite movie of all time is "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hankes and Meg Ryan. If you haven't seen it, oh my gosh its time. Meg Ryan is a bookstore owner and loves everything learning related. In an email she writes about the "smell of a fresh bouquet of sharpened pencils in the fall" and that is exactly what inspired my blog post today!

     This year, I will be a first year teacher! I am thoroughly excited and cannot wait to start on this journey where I will learn SO much. Although along with that, its something new and scary and I already feel a little overwhelmed.

    Join me on my journey through first year teaching and make sure to share this with fellow teachers or student teachers! Have a wonderful day :)

TOP TEN things that go through a FIRST YEAR teacher's head

1. "OK great! We have the class list! Oh its going to change a few times? Oh YES I am the music teacher, so... yes I have to learn all 185 names (and fellow teachers) as quickly as possible for effective teaching techniques. OK right on it!"

2. What am I going to wear? (Yes students/parents pick out their outfits and you best believe teachers are too! Picking out a first day of school - okay week- its very important!)

3. Did I remember to pack my lunch? What do teachers eat for lunch? Sandwiches?  OH & I’m slightly afraid of the teacher’s lounge. Being the "new kid" sucks.

4. PLANNING PLANNING PLANNING. Just keep planning! (I have no curriculum set at my school and not any textbooks! Must get on that planning!)

5. Oh look! Another sparkly border for my bulletin board! (PS Stay tuned for my classroom reveal soon to come!)

6. If I have to staple or label one more thing, I think I’m going to die.

7. Being in schools alone during the summer is the freakiest thing ever.

8. How can I reach my students in the first week? I want to connect but how do I not overdo it?!

9. So what exactly are the school policies on… I don’t even know my schedule yet!

10. I have been waiting for this moment ALL of my life and it is finally here! Can’t wait to start the best and most stressful profession out there :)

Thanks for reading! Make sure to follow :)