Let me Clear my Throat

Finally.  I exhaled.  School is over.  Graduation school is over.  I have completed my second Master's degree, a Master of Arts in Teaching.  Funny, I never thought anything would feel as good as receiving my MBA.  But this was so much better.  So much more...real.

I went out to celebrate with my brother and sister in law last night as they graciously offered to take me out for dinner.  I had gotten soaked in the storm, my flip flop broke and my nail had chipped.  I looked REAL good.  I should have known something was up when, my almost 3 year old nephew, (the Nugget as most of you know him) fell and cut his lip.  There was blood and he was so upset.  After checking on him, my brother said, "ok let's you and I go and Katie will meet us there."  I was like, "Dude, your kid might need stitches, we aren't going anywhere!"  He was all, "YES WE ARE!" As it turned out, Nugget was ok and we all left together.  I thought it was odd my brother was so adamant.  As we valeted and walked into the restaurant I was none the wiser to what was about to ensue.  We walked to the back of the restaurant which, I thought was normal since we had Isaiah with us and they were going to give us some space.  But there in the back were 16 of my closest friends, there to celebrate me....organized by my brother and sister in law.  I cried because I was confused and then overwhelmed with appreciation and love.  The people in the back of that restaurant had seen me through one of the toughest but most rewarding years of my life.  When my brother gave a speech I lost it again.  Ironically, one of my best friends who couldn't be there, Dolce, organized a dinner next weekend with a bunch or girlfriends as well. Together these 2 groups of people were my support system this past year. I am beyond humbled by the love and support.  It means so much to know people understand how important the journey is I have embarked upon.
My heart is full because of you.  I wrote this in thanks for you:

Maybe you sent a text on what happen to be a rough day,

" just checking in to see if you're doing ok";

Maybe you called on a Friday night,

Knowing lesson plans were for me all that were in sight;

Maybe at Starbucks you stopped by,

On a Saturday night,just to say hi;

Maybe you raised my name in prayer 

At your church, temple or synagogue, I felt you there;

Maybe you sent a care pack w stash

Filled with a pencil sharper we all hoped would last;

Maybe you posted on my wall,

To tell me you're thinking about me, that's all;

I am blessed beyond the my wildest dreams, 

with friends and family who support me;

Whatever it was and no matter how small, 

I wouldn't be here without you all.

Thank you to everyone near and far who supported, loved and celebrated my journey.  

It takes a village to educate our youth and you are part of that village for me. 

I may or may not blog over the summer, because, contrary to popular believe, there is MUCH to be done.  Once I get my grade level, there is data to pour over, common core to align with des cartes skill strands, unit planning, 3 weeks of professional development and of course - getting my classroom ready!

If you would like to support my classroom, please click the link below or feel free to forward.  Thank you so much in advance!  And thank you EVERYONE that has lent their continued support!  I get every ounce of energy and inspiration from you.

Click HERE to Adopt my Classroom!

You cannot expect people to understand your grind. It is not theirs to make sense of, it's yours. Stay focused and fulfill your destiny.                -Tsepiso Makhubedu

Still I Rise...

4 days until graduation.  AUSL graduation that is.  11 days until NLU and the Residency is completed.  This is the home stretch and yet I am reluctant to completely exhale - yet.  There is a still a presentation to complete for a class, 4 more classes, 8th grade ribbon pinning, 8th grade luncheon, 8th grade graduation.  But in a blink of an eye it is going to be over.  Technically, my first class of kids.  I'm going to sob like a baby at their graduation.

Friday night we chaperoned the middle school dance.  The kids ate pizza, and drank snow cones, and DANCED!  I don't mean like move around a little on the floor...my westside babies bring it!  So much so, that they convince Mrs. Ray and I to Nae Nae (ridiculous dance).  It was a sight I am sure. Saturday we took the 8th grade to Dave and Busters for a class trip.  It was fun to be outside the school with the kids and just relaxed - no level zero, no checking for understanding, and no do it again unless it was me winning tickets!  LOL

I received a MOU (memorandum of understanding) from my principal (for next year) so that I may commit to AUSL and all they require and she may begin staffing us.  I am trying to not be over anxious and keep in mind all I know from working with various administrators - less is more. Meaning, at this point she is overwhelmed with start up for her new school and the last thing she needs is lots and lots of emails from teachers.  Yet, I want to email her everyday and tell her how excited I am and offer ways to help.  But I don't, because that would make me crazy :)

I have been on autopilot for a minute now, and today, my principal (current school) caught me off guard.  I was in the office faxing something for award plaques or something and usually she doesn't really acknowledge me, but today she did.  We politely chatted, and then she asked me, " So, Ms. Ohannes, did you ever think you weren't going to make it?"  I didn't hesitate because at forty-freaking-three there are some things you just don't pause for because you know...so I said, "no, I never had a doubt I would make it. Some days were rough, and I cried, but there was never a doubt I was coming back the next day." To which she replied, "there were days I didn't think you'd make it....you've come a long way."  Now,  I have to be honest, while this is the most difficult thing I have ever done,  there was never a thought or a possibility in my mind that it just, "wouldn't work out."  I didn't make this decision over light beers at a frat party with a damn alt rock band playing in the background.  I changed my life.  So no, I never had the thought I wouldn't make it....and isn't that a good thing?  I would usually end my interaction with her upon her verbal pinch, but I couldn't this time.  I responded, "at 43, just giving up isn't an option.  Actually, I've never had that option and don't foresee it in the near future especially now.  Furthermore, the difficult days didn't define me."

There are some things I have learned through this experience, one of which is, everyone does not want to see you succeed.  I mean, I knew that in the business world, but I guess I figured it would be different when the commodity is children.  Sadly, it is not.  Furthermore, I cannot assume my passion to eventually go into school leadership will be well received by all.  In fact, there will be those that don't believe I belong there....for various reasons, but that's ok.   There were individuals this year that purposely kept me from leadership opportunities within the program - but that's ok. All I can do in continue to work hard, keeping my kids as my priority and never letting those who question me forget the following:

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.  
-Maya Angelou (rest in peace)