Who is Helping at the Bottom?

Hi, all.

I hope you're settling comfortably into 2013 and that all finds you well. I learned or I guess had a valuable friendship lesson reinforced this week. It felt worthy of a post.

BT lesson: Notice who is helping when things are not going well.

It's so easy to be someone's friend and support them when all is going well. Riding their wave of happiness and success is often enjoyable. It's nice to laugh and have fun, and I am not sure that I could find anyone who'd argue that; however, we are human. Life isn't always sunshine and rainbows.

Things go wrong, and we have times when we are knocked on our butts. One of the most valuable things to take away from your moments at the bottom is who is helping you back up. Who is there for you when times are hard? Who is there for you and listen to you cry or grieve? Who will check on you or send you something to try and cheer you up? It's these people who are keepers. Oprah once said, "Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will ride with you when the limo breaks down." It so true.

The importance of these incredible people was reiterated to me this week. I had my "Go to friends" step up like they always do, but I had other people reach out who helped make all the difference as well. Please pay attention when this happens in your life. Turn on your mental notation and jot names down like crazy. These are the people whom you can count on. These are the ones who want to not only celebrate with you but help pick you up and dust you off during the hard times. These people are gems. It doesn't matter if they are 60 or 16. Each one is a treasure in our lives and should be valued.

Go do good things,

BT

***I would like to thank my friends for picking me up after losing my dog, Carlos. I had him since I was 12, and I loved the little guy more than anything. He was my buddy. Miss him a ton.

This Year is Going to be AWESOME!

Hi, all!

I normally have already resolved to lose weight or be organized, but I haven't done that this year. In fact, until tonight, I really have not made a resolution at all. Thanks to a wonderful student of mine, I started following the video posts of Soul Pancake. I watched a video by Kid President today that I will give you think link to below.

Kid President (video)

Anyway, this young man urges us to join him in his resolution to make this an AWESOME year for someone else. Ding ding! Why didn't I think of that? What if this year we all vowed to do something nice for someone else each day? Brilliant.

I have never been one who has enjoyed the whole "Me" concept. I'd much rather do for others than myself. I am not quite sure if I inherited some recessive gene, but I must admit that I am glad this is one of my personality traits. I truly feel there is no greater feeling one can get than doing something for someone else. 

I want you all to join me. Let's start scattering a little joy. I am not asking you to give all your money away to needy children. It can be small things like in the video. I am just asking you to do something...anything! You never know what your kind gesture can do. It can change a day or even a life. Maybe, just maybe, this could have a large ripple effect, causing others to pay it forward. I doubt anyone would argue with me that the world could use a little kindness. 

What do you say? Do you want to join me in making 2013 awesome? I am pumped.

Go do good things,

BT

Reflections from BT

Happy Holidays, everyone.

I am not planning on giving you a run down of my year because it would take me way too long to hit all of the highlights from 2012. It was definitely a year that I will never forget but also a year I am ready to package and put away; however, before I put the on lid and put the year to rest, I thought I'd share some of the best lessons that surfaced during the past twelve months.

1. Do something that scares you---You'll never know what you're capable of unless you take that dreaded first step out into the unknown. It is utterly terrifying to step towards something you're not completely sure will end in success, but what you learn from the journey far outweighs the results.

2. It's healthy to occasionally reassess--- I hit the 25-year-life-itch and debated about starting a new path for my life. I was so unsure about everything that I used to think was a given, but what came from it was a new sense of self. I became more surefooted about my career and location. This isn't to say that I won't have another "life-itch," but right now I feel pretty sure about my path. We must all do this at different times in our lives. It's important to see what's out there and make sure we are doing what's best for ourselves.

3. Only give time to those who deserve it---I used to give so much of myself to everyone, even if someone didn't treat me the best. This year I worked on ending this issue, and what I took away from it was a much happier me. I focused mainly on those who cared about me and wanted the best for me. I urge all of you to do the same if you don't already. We are all worth the very best.

4. Life is about the little moments---Take time to soak up the little things in life; these add up to make big memories if you let them. I will forever remember walking around IU at midnight while campus was deserted, and the snow was falling, blanketing the most beautiful town I have laid eyes on. It was nothing crazy, but the image is forever ingrained in my mind because it was special to me. Life isn't always about the big moments or materialistic things. Joy, pure joy, can be found in the smallest of moments or gifts.

5. Be kind---It's so easy to be judgmental, impatient, selfish, or rude, but don't! Being kind to others says more about your character than anything else ever will. Kindness is a quality this world needs a lot more of, so let's get to it.

I am hoping for big things in 2013. I am not sure what lies ahead in my future, but I vow to be open and receptive to it all. I will laugh more, be nicer, work harder, search for joy in all I do, and keep growing. I wish all the same for every one of you. If I could wish for one thing for everyone though, I wish you all heaps and heaps of happiness.

Go do good things in 2013,

BT

Unspeakable Sadness

Hi, all.

I have no lesson today. I have only a pit in my stomach from what transpired in CT yesterday. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this horrific tragedy.

It's a teacher's biggest fear; I know it is mine. It isn't something I have at the forefront of my mind each day at school, but it is always lingering in the back. What if? What would I do? How would I get as many kids as possible in my room and hidden away safely? And, inevitably, I always ask, "Why?"

I spoke to my 5th hour about the accident when they came into class. I find most things to be valuable teaching lessons. After a few kids gave their thoughts and opinions, one boy raised his hand. "Miss Parker, would you try to save us? Would you take a bullet for us?" I looked around the room. Yes, my 5th hour is my most troublesome class of the day. Yes, some refuse to turn in an ounce of work. Yes, I breathe a sigh of relief when they walk out, but I love each and every one of them. I scanned the room and said to him, "Absolutely. I absolutely would."

There is not even the tiniest piece of me that can rationalize what happened or what would make someone commit such a heinous act. Each time this happens, it shakes the moral fabric of our country. We have to do something; I just don't know what that something is. I read the list of names and ages of the victims and just cried. There is no reason for it. Crime and senseless killings are bad enough, but innocent and defenseless children? No.

The teachers in CT who selflessly put their life in danger to save those precious little kids should forever be immortalized. What heroes.

Go do GOOD things,

A sad BT

You May Say I'm a Dreamer...

Hi, all.

I hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday evening. In a fabulous turn of events, my niece has learned to say my name, and I was blessed with an audio recording of it, so needless to say, I am pretty ecstatic.

Lesson of the Day: Be a dreamer.

If ever I couldn't think of or wish for something that was deemed implausible, I would be lost. While I don't run around protesting for world peace, which would be lovely, I find myself wishing for things that are pretty far fetched. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish all my students will turn all their work in and get an "A" or that Ellen/Oprah will come to their senses and ask me to be a part of their shows. I feel like wanting, wishing, or dreaming for something bigger ensures that we never settle. I know that Oprah and Ellen will one day find me, so I refuse to let my sense of humor tapper off into nothing.

Truly though, always be a dreamer. Wish and hope for things bigger and better than what you have now. It doesn't have to be materialistic things. Dream for things that will add to your life in other ways. I have this dream that one day my students will all think about what they say before they speak in order to ensure they don't hurt someone else in the class. I know it is asking a lot, but I keep the hope. I implore you to do the same.

What if? What if it was possible? That's what I always tell myself. I watch the impossible happen every day on TV. We conquered the moon, rallied a million people to march for equality, and watched that lead to an African American become president. Impossible is nothing. We can do absolutely anything if we just focus enough time and energy to it. This I am sure of.

I am off to dream now. I hope you do, too.

Go do good things,

BT

Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood, so I Called My Friend for Help

Hi, all!

I am back writing today after a much needed cathartic visit with my very best friend. As soon as I hopped in my car to go home, I knew I had a post that needed to be tapped out.

Baby Teacher Advice: Find someone you trust. Have someone in your life who you can be completely honest with and talk to about anything.


There is something to be said for a true friend--someone you can wholeheartedly trust. They give a place of refuge where you can be honest with fears, triumphs, questions, or thoughts. Having a person like this in life is invaluable. 

I am a Baby Teacher. While I may have a pretty good grasp on many aspects of life for being such a young pup, I find myself confused and unsure daily due to my inexperience at living. Lately, more than ever, I feel as though I am at Mr. Frost's two diverging roads. I keep staring down each road as far as I can see, but I still am questioning which path I should/want to choose. This dilemma has weighed heavily on me until tonight. I met with my friend/hero/shrink/(insert any other positive word) today after work and just talked. She asked questions that I had not thought about. She never judged. She never laughed. She just listened to me. Everything I truly felt or thought was said. I never hold back with her because she has earned my trust, which is not an easy task. While she didn't tell me what choice to make, I left there with the clearest perspective I've had in a while. 

I know trust is hard to give. It requires a sense of vulnerability that most do not like to feel. However, you have to trust yourself enough to know who to trust. We all need outlets. Find someone, anyone, who you can go to. I don't believe life was meant to live alone. It was meant to be shared with by those who we care enough about to share it with. Lean on others. Find your true friends to help you in times of need. Be strong enough to trust someone with the thoughts you hold closest to your heart. 

Sometimes you get lucky like I did. Sometimes, just sometimes, you find the greatest person in the world who changes everything just by being there. That, folks, is a true friend.

Go do good things,

BT


"Few delights can equal the mere presence of one whom we trust utterly."  ~George MacDonald 

Baby Teacher Say Thanks...

Hello,

I would not be Baby Teacher had I not been influenced by many teachers who possess the gift of teaching and inspiring students. I just received news that one of the greatest teachers I have ever met would be retiring after this school year. While I was happy for her, as she deserves to enjoy some time to herself after 40+ years devoting all of her time to students, I could not help feel a heap of sadness. She was the kind of teacher whom I aspired to be like. She is a master at each tiny aspect of teaching. I feel a sense of pity that other students will no longer have the joy of having such an incredible educator.

There have been many teachers in my lifetime who have left an imprint on me. I see it each day that I teach. I find myself doing things that my influential educators did while I was in their class. I would like to give a shout out to...

Mrs. Hunt (Hands down greatest teacher I was blessed to have. She is my hero and greatest person I know. She inspired me to teach.)
Mr. Fruth (He was taught me more about English than anyone I ever had.)
Madame Koselke (She is a rock star in the teaching field. Absolutely irreplaceable.)
Kristin Poage (My college education professor who inspired me every day. She epitomizes everything a teacher should be.)
Teresa White (My college journalism education professor who taught me more than I think I even realize. I miss her dearly. I was prepared to take over the yearbook because of her.)
Madame Roule (The sweetest lady alive!)
Mrs. Meyer (My loving, encouraging 2nd grade teacher. She has a big spot in my heart.)
Mrs. Brugos (I have loved her since I was six. I will probably continue doing so until I am 95.)
Mrs. Sass (The first person who really made me love English.)
Mrs. Farrell (My AMAZING 8th grade teacher who shared a love of Donny and Marie with me!)
Mr. Lindeman (I was never a big science fan, but he made genetics fun and interesting.)
Mr. Zeisig (Every day was an adventure in 7th grade social studies.)
Mrs. DeWolf (I learned more her 8th grade social studies class than all others combined.)
Mrs. Chezem (She was my elementary school gym teacher, and I used to follow her around like a puppy because I thought she was so wonderful.)
Mr. and Mrs. Sherrick (They both had me engaged in their classes from the first bell to the last.)

Teachers are special individuals who do more than you'll ever know. Take the time to say thanks to one or all of them. I wouldn't be the person I am today without them!

Go do good things,

BT