Meal Prep: 9/28-10/2

It took me a VERY long time to come around to meal prepping. I’ve known about it for at least a year now; I follow quite a few meal prep instagrams, but it wasn’t until three weeks ago that I decided to jump in and give it a try.

Meal prep is an investment in yourself. You have to take the time to research meals that are both healthy and convenient, and then you actually have to take the time to cook. But you are WORTH it!

So, here’s my meal plan for this week:

Breakfast

• Shakeology –> I change up the shake depending on my mood. Sometimes, it’s just plain Shakeo + 10oz. of Original Unsweetned Almond Milk. On days I have more time, I’ll add a banana and some PB. 🙂

Lunch

• Tex Mex Quinoa from Mind Over Munch (M/W/F)
• Grilled Chicken + Sweet Potatoes + Veggie (T/TH)

Snacks

• Greek Yogurt
• Cucumbers & Tomatoes
• Grapes
• Bananas
• Cheese Sticks
• Turkey Sausage Sticks
• Pretzels
• Nature Valley Protein Bars

Dinner

• Monday 9/28
  • Lean Turkey Lasagna
• Tuesday 9/29
  • Maple Dijon Chicken Drumsticks + Mashed Potatoes + Veggie
• Wed 9/30 → Dinner with Friends
• Thursday → Alex works late
• Friday 10/1
  • Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches + Veggie
• Saturday 10/2
  • Chicken Cacciatore

Right now, I only prep lunches/snacks for the week. I really do enjoy cooking, and so I am grateful that I now have the time to cook almost every night. I try to use my crockpot as much as possible though; I just got it, and I am IN LOVE with it! 🙂

Meal prepping doesn’t have to be scary. You might make mistakes your first few times, but that’s okay! I’m always happy to answer your questions or give advice/suggestions :).

Journey to Create a Classroom Library

Journey to Create a Classroom Library

I know I’ve posted a few updates on here about the fundraiser to purchase books for my classroom library, but if anyone is interested in following the more detailed updates, you can find them on my blog that is entirely devoted to that endeavor.

Once I get in the classroom to start setting up (August 12th) there will be more updates with pictures and progress as to how the library is coming along. 

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this short, yet incredible journey. It means so much to me, and to my future students (even if they don’t know it yet).

Halfway There!

Wow, our campaign has been live for less than 24 hours, and we are already almost halfway there! I’m totes doing this right now:

You all are amazing. Thank you so much, and bless you.

You can still donate here!

Failure is the Key to Success

One thing our students must always know: without failure, success is meaningless.

Another thing they should know: past failures do not prevent future successes.

Inspire a student today, or help me inspire a student by donating $1 to my classroom library foundation.

Raising Money!

Hey there!

As a new teacher, I am raising money to kickstart my Middle School classroom library! 🙂

• I will be teaching students in 6th-8th grade who read well below grade level.
• It is important to me to have a classroom library, in order to expose my students to a wide variety of literature and encourage reading.
• As supporters of this campaign, you are helping me make a difference in the lives of these students; many of them have never read an entire book before. My goal is to encourage literacy and in turn to encourage students to believe in themselves and in their own potential for success.

 

What We Need & What You Get

I am trying to raise a minimum of $250 to purchase around 100 books for my classroom library. I know that may seem like a daunting number, but studies have shown that it is best to have about 20 books per student, in order to adequeately meet different reading levels. However, that would result in over 400 books, which would be near impossible to store in my classroom. Thus my goal is 100, but closer to 200 books would be ideal to start.

You can follow the progress of this campaign here! I will post updates biweekly, including what books have been purchased, how students are reacting the the library, and of course, my gratitude! 🙂

Even if we do not reach our entire goal, all funds will go to purchase books for our classroom library. As I’ve said before, every drop in the bucket counts.

Other Ways You Can Help

Even if you can’t contribute financialy, there are other ways you can help our campaign!

Share this link with your Faceobook friends, Twitter followers, and whoever else!

Also, if you would like to donate books you or a family member is no longer using, please feel free to contact me to arrange a pickup or mailing!

To donate, click here!

Jumping in Head First

I recently was offered a position to teach Middle School Language Arts and Debate. As a recent college graduate who is swimming in student loan debt and trying to finance her Masters degree, I gladly accepted.

A little background – I recently graduated with a B.A. in English and a minor in Education. Before graduation, I decided I would pursue a Masters degree in Education – a feat that I am currently conquering, slowly but surely. I have spent the last several years tutoring students and teaching after school classes, but I have yet to teach in a full-time instructional capacity. Needless to say, I’m excited, anxious, and terrified. I have never taught before, and the year ahead of me will be full of twists and turns, bumps and obstacles, and I plan to document it, if for nothing more than to attempt to keep my sanity.

I am scheduled to sign my paperwork this week, and then begin my new teacher orientation and training the last two weeks in July. Then, I have essentially a week to set up my classroom and begin planning before the school year begins. Talk about crazy! I am not even sure what to expect, but I plan on being as prepared as possible.

So, here’s to my embarkment into the world of education, and to the road ahead. Cheers!