Summer Thoughts

my VERY dated planner from years past.

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ALDI 24-25 Teacher Planner

I know, I know this planner says 2023-3034.... bear with me...

As I wait in silence at the car dealership for my oil change, I have a moment to pause, reflect, and think about this past school year. The 24-25 school year was a big one for me:

• I started the school year traveling out west to present for an amazing group of teachers in Vegas- shout out to the Nevada's Desert-Valley Chapter OF THE AMERICAN ORFF-SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION.
• Received the great honor of being recognized as one of the CMA foundations 2024 Music Teacher of Excellence.
• Discovered I was pregnant and due in April of the school year.
• And  was working on completing my grad degree, being only 4 classes away from earning my Master of Music, in Music Education  from Longy School of Music. 

I think I tried to prepare myself for all the things that this year would bring but there were so many plans that shifted, and needed flexibility. Not just with my day to day teaching while pregnant, but also with my home life of being a working, and learning mom and wife/life partner. 

But day by day, I kept pushing, kept planning, and kept checking off my lists. Yes, I truly credit my accomplishments big and small to my daily checklists. If you have not considered a physical planner with checklists, let this be your reason to begin. I found my teacher planner for this past year at ALDI but I have loved and used the @happyplanner brand for years. 

Whatever planner you decide, make sure YOU LIKE IT- think its cute or whateva. If you invest in a planner you love, you will use it more.

For this upcoming school year, I am still on the hunt for the perfect planner, but best believe it will have a space for checklists, and she's gonna be CUTE. I will keep searching but am in no rush because July is truly summertime for us teachers. I don't need her until August 1st. LOL

Hope y'all are enjoying your break,
XO Charissa

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