Days with the Dorans

  It's amazing how fast time goes now! This group was a bit worried that I would not be here when they graduate from high school and it dawned on me that I may not be... 38 years is a long time to teach but time will tell! So many great kids in this group and a few I had for two years! I keep pictures of all the classes I've taught up on my wall now and I wrote the year, how many kids, and their high school graduating year to make it easier for me to spot. At the end of each year, I always get a picture with my kids before they leave me! This group was my first group back after Covid. What a crazy year that was! All my pictures with them I photoshopped to put us close together! And of course there was our final staff picture! Kelly, Chrissy, and Stoits all had their last- last day and it's wild to think about! Chrissy and I taught 3rd together and were really close for a while. It's going to be weird not seeing her. Lynne also is officially retiring but we're hoping...

  I am always excited when it's time to do "Camp" because it means that the finish line is in sight. I always do it the last full week of school. I named it "Camp Ashley" after Jennie passed away in honor of her. I told her I was going to do that before she died and I've felt close to her the two times (now) I've set this up in her memory/honor. Of course I don't set it up alone... It was field day (and on top of that I am SICK), but Sean and Zach were up shortly after school got out and were putting up the trees and lights with me! It's such a job. Later, Ali and Jeff joined us and they helped with the tablecloths and tents. We started just after 4:00 and were done a bit after 7:00 so I was proud of how fast we worked and I know the kids will be SO excited come Monday! And I was right of course... HERE is a video from Camp Ashley before and after and HERE is a video of what Camp Ashley looked like all week. It was exhausting but I wouldn't...

I have loved my job the last few years! I was in a bad space after Covid but it's good to be back. I enjoy going to work each day and I really feel like I have hit my groove! I have happy kids and they're growing and I'm so proud of them and the magic that happens in Room 119! Every Friday (for years), I have had a "Mystery Reader" come in at the end of the day. I learned that this week the Grandma that was going to come in couldn't make it and so I asked Jeff if he could come. Since he's moved to his current job, he's so much happier AND one of the districts he services is MINE so he is close. He will sometimes stop by with a tea and muffin (or diet Dr. Pepper) and so the kids have seen "Mr. Doran" before. His clues were: 1. This person works with kids of all ages. 2. This person used to play soccer in HS and college. 3. This person plays guitar 4. This person has been coming to LLE for a LONG time. Well, they TOTALLY thought it was Jeff unt...

My awesome team! Jill & Lisa The end of the year can never come soon enough. Because they are doing construction in our classrooms, I had to pack up EVERYTHING in boxes and label them so it was a LOT of work! So happy for summer! Me and Shane! He graduated from his program this year. He's a favorite. Me & Payton~ She came back to see me! Jill is retiring! She was my mentor when I started! Going to miss her! This firehose goes on part of the door so that it can't be open. The things we teachers have to do. Jill's husband cut these up for us~ not out district. ONE wall of boxes! I was spoiled as always! I love how they tuned into my love for pickles! I do love my job! Especially now that it's SUMMER!!!  

It wasn't just Joey who walked through the halls of his old elementary school, I had MY old students walk through MY school! This was a big (and memorable) class for me because it was when Bob Furca moved me to the ONE grade I asked him not to, first. And so this group is one I'll definitely remember as the start of a new era! The last two years, I didn't have any seniors because I had gone from 3rd to 1st. The kids walked through the halls as we clapped and were told they couldn't come back (but a few favorites did and it made my day!!!) Congratulations, Class of 2022!!

  Living the dream... On one hand Covid is running rampant and I get emails like above every day On the other hand, I am reminded of the good things about this job like the flowers that were delivered to me from Sienna and family. Trying to focus on the positive below, not above.

  School has been TOUGH this year. So much though that I am thinking I may not last much longer in the classroom and am looking to see what else I can do.  Not only was it the last day of school, but my amazing team made me Dill Pickle Pizza! I had some more fuel this week though that also helped... Love notes in form of a snowball fight. Pajama Day. The best gift ever.

  (Pictures from WLC NOT Oxford) Columbine happened my first year teaching. I remember we were at a new teacher club meeting (they actually fed us and taught us stuff back then) at a country club when we heard on the news about the shooting and watched as kids and teachers were marched out of the building where so many murders had happened. I remember not even being able to comprehend what I was seeing. Sadly, since then, countless other school shootings have happened (even in elementary schools). "We" (America) will offer "thoughts and prayers" do nothing, act shocked when it happens again and repeat. Well this latest shooting feels a bit different because it was so close to home, and we knew people there. Oxford is a neighbor to Clarkston (where Jeff used to teach). Jeff actually was offered and turned down a job there (thank God). I think the proximity of this one really made this grab our attention a bit more than the "usual" shooting (isn't that r...

 It's been a tough year. It's nice when you get some nice notes of appreciation!

I was so excited to learn that not only was my old student (and now friend), Michelle, in town but she had time to meet me and a couple other of my kids/friends (Rebecca and Courtney) for dinner and drinks. We spent almost four hours catching up and I had so much fun. It blows my mind sometimes when I think about how fast the years go by. Seeing things like this cement it. I love love love seeing my old "kids."

  Well... I was SUPPOSED to go back to the grade I had prior to all this switching Covid nonsense, but I'm staying in first grade which I am bummed about. I probably should have said something but it's not like people listen to you anyway. My principal said I did so good with K remote, I should teach kindergarteners. I told her it was a bit different when you had a mute button and PLEASE don't put me in K. Thankfully she didn't, but she didn't put me back in second. I'm disappointed but what else is new??? I did get this sweet text message from a parent of one of my remote kindergarteners and it made my day and reminded me to keep things in perspective. It does always work out no matter how bad things seem. That's it for now Room 119! See you in the fall and PRAYING it will be a MUCH better year. And now, I can REST!!!

I got a picture of Jeff at work so I had to post it since I don't usually get them of him. I am so glad he made the change and left Clarkston. His VI job is very cool. And I spoke at a board meeting recently that you can see HERE . We don't have a contract which is frustrating especially after the nonsense of the year.