Today is the first day of school and I can't wait to meet you!

I didn't sleep very well last night, because I was so excited. My mind was so busy with thoughts about the fun school year we have planned. I kept trying to imagine what each of you would be like...

Those jitters that I mentioned yesterday kept coming back... I had so many questions!

I wonder: Will my students like me? Will I be prepared for the day? What if I forget something? Will I be late or get lost on the first day?
Did you share any of the same thoughts?

Even though I'm an adult, my parents still wanted me to have a photo to remember the first day of school. Did someone take your photo this morning before you went to school?

Summer break is now over but don't fret, friends! We will certainly have a fun and exciting 4th grade year together!

I can still remember my first day of 4th  grade back in 1994!

I think our first day went very well. Actually - I think it was AWESOME! Don't you agree?

I was so happy to meet each of you. I really enjoyed getting to know each other and learning so much about you.

What was your favorite part of the day? I think my favorite part of the day was taking a moment to share and discuss our worries and wonders about the first day of school.

I wanted to know how you were feeling about the first day of school, and I'm so glad you felt comfortable sharing your thoughts with me. Many of you shared the same worries and wonders about 4th grade math, making friends, and what your new teacher would be like. I can remember having those same thoughts when I was in the 4th grade.

Your 4th grade year will be one to remember! We will work together to make all subjects fun and engaging! We will also learn more about one another and become better friends. I hope you enjoyed meeting me and I'm sure you're glad I'm not Viola Swamp...

Just like students, teachers also get nervous about the first day of school. Today is the day before school starts and I was talking to Mrs. Dean in my room about how excited we were for school to start. All of a sudden we both felt very shaky...
Could it be first day jitters?

The BUILDING was shaking! We were experiencing the shock-waves of an earthquake that struck in Mineral, Virginia at 1:51 PM. The magnitude (or size) of the earthquake was measured at 5.8.

A few stacks of our Classroom Library books were swaying with the earth's movements. It was quite a thrilling experience and an exciting way to start the new school year! I have included a few photos of minor damage that occurred at Bester right after the earthquake. So glad that everyone and everything is safe and OK!

Did you feel the earthquake? What were you doing when it happened? How did it feel to you? I thought it was very scary but also a very unusual feeling to feel an earthquake. I can't wait to meet you tomorrow and hopefully you will share your earthquake experience with me!  

Things have settled down after today's earthquake. I am still feeling jitters, but I don't think I am feeling them from the earth... I'm just really excited about meeting you tomorrow!

Mr. Leifer came to the school after work and helped me finish a few final things in the room before your arrival tomorrow. He sharpened pencils for such a long time that I thought he had turned into a zombie!

We worked late into the evening getting everything prepared for our big day tomorrow. From our second floor window we had the most spectacular view of the sunset. The sky melted into the most beautiful colors.

I took a picture for you to see... Aren't the colors beautiful?

Mr. Leifer even brought some dinner for us to eat while we were working. He is very thoughtful!

Although our room might seem a little bare (basic or simple) now, together, and throughout the next few weeks, we will create a classroom where each of us loves to come and learn each day.

Sleep tight my new 4th Graders. Tomorrow will be a very special day!

Just as the students need time to get to know one another, so do the teachers! All of the Bester Teachers traveled to Fairview Outdoor School to do some team building. It was wonderful to get to know the staff and I was especially happy to bond with my team - the 4th Grade teachers, Mrs. Gephart, and Mrs. Hatcher!!

This weekend I went shopping at a few stores and garage sales, and I found some really cool items to add to our classroom. I also bought a couple of cans of spray paint to change the colors of these items. Look at the pictures to see how the items changed with just a little bit of extra work.

Don't you think red, orange, and yellow are fun colors that will make our classroom brighter?

Friday, August 12, 2011. Today the temperature was HOT! I was so excited because I had plans to move into my first classroom. I couldn't wait!

My husband, Mr. Leifer, took a day off of work to help. We reorganized the room, cleaned it, arranged the desks, and we even painted! Being in the classroom made me so excited to meet my students in a few weeks. I included a few photos for you to see our busy first day in the classroom...