So let me start with a confession: This year has been tough for me. Tough like stay at work for hours and never feel like you're getting ahead tough. Tough like I drove to Wawa to get two apple fritters the size of my head because I didn't think I could look at one more piece of paper or lesson plan covering my family room floor :)
I know everyone goes through different things, but compared to other years, other experiences, other situations in my life, it's been {really} tough. It's easy to get caught up in what seems "tough" in your life when it's right there in front of your face. I won't get into the specific details, because that's not where I'm trying to go with this post...don't worry! However, there have been three big events throughout this year that keep putting my "tough" year in perspective.
One of these events happened just this weekend and it's a little {BIG} thing called THON :)
I went to Penn State for my undergrad and grad school and participated in THON. THON is a 46-hr dance marathon to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Dancers stand for 46-hrs straight. However, it is a HUGE year round fundraiser that takes thousands of committee members, fraternities, sororities, and organizations to pull off. I was never a dancer, but was on committees and spent the last four hours on the floor with the dancers two years in a row. It was amazing!
Here are some pictures from my THON days:
The last year I was in THON we raised $7.49 million dollars!!!
This year THON raised:
Yes, that is $12.37 million dollars! I watched the last hours of THON on the little screen of my iphone because my computer internet was so slow, but it was still amazing. Throughout THON weekend, THON families (children who have cancer, have had cancer, or families who have lost children to cancer) share their stories, remember, celebrate life and dance for a cure right along with Penn State students.
So my little "keep things in perspective" reminder was actually something pretty big. I'm sure many of you are having difficult years. In fact, I know many of you are having difficult school years. I see it in the faces of my co-workers, hear about it from my teacher blog friends. Testing is starting, you might feel like you can't reach that student who has been struggling all year with no progress. There are 15693847 curriculum demands but no one can tell you how to fit it in during the hours of the school day :)
So, as we all go back to work tomorrow to whatever "tough" situations we will have to face, we can at least do it with....free clipart :)
Snatch up some extra love for your {hopefully} four-day work week with these {FREE} little hearts!
You can have my heart (clipart) for {FREE} if you click HERE :)
I know all about THON! One of my very best friends worked in Penn State student affairs and always kept me updated on all the wonderful things that were being done. Such an awesome thing to be a part of! I bet it was a blast! I always tear up at the YouTube videos!
ReplyDeleteGabrielle
Teaching Special Thinkers
Krista,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! You are an amazing teacher, artist, and public servant. I have witnessed Cancer all around in the past whether it be a friend, coworker, etc. but this year it came into our family; it does make you reconsider what's important in your life. Thanks for your work in helping raise money to fight this awful illness.
Alison
What a great post. We all have those difficult years, but I really think they help teach you something. Last year was one of those difficult ones for me, but I really think it helped me become more patient. Believe me, my patience was tried daily! A year ago this night I was having anxiety attacks about going back to my class and what I was going to be dealing with. I made it through the year, gave my best to my kiddos and tried to hold on to why I wanted to be a teacher to begin with. It worked and I survived. This year has been better. I am sure you are a great teacher and your kids love you. Thanks for the freebie and keep doing what I am sure is a great job.
ReplyDeleteHang in there...hopefully things will start looking up for you soon. Seems teaching is one of those jobs where, try as you might, you just can't walk out the door and not think about it till the next day. (Or walk out the door empty handed!)
ReplyDeleteKrista, we are all right there with you. Testing, meetings, conferences, it goes on and on then you actually have to make time to plan for the little ones. THON looks amazing. Our best friends daughter is a leukemia survivor. So this is near and dear to my heart. Such an incredible amount of money raised. Thank you for the freebie. I adore your artwork.
ReplyDeleteTammy
Primary Paradise
Love your blog!! Couple things! 1. I am your newest follower..yay! I don't know why I haven't followed you before because I love your freebie clip arts! and 2. I blogged about your st patricks day clip art just now on my blog! Come check it out =)
ReplyDeleteJust Wild About Teaching
Krista, your heart is in the right place. And we all know exactly what you're talking about, so if it feels any better, know that we are fellow walkers on this difficult journey with you. Most of us have tough classes with kids who can't or won't do the work, and parents who sometimes, but not always support what we do. Keep doing what you're doing, knowing that no matter how hard you try, you will not reach every single kid. That's the hardest lesson for teachers, because we see the potential in each student.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for your generous spirit of sharing your clip art. It is used and greatly appreciated by many of us!
Marion
www.mentoringinthemiddle.blogspot.com
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI am a little late in responding to this post...but I know *exactly* what you mean by tough. I am right there with you this year!
When all else fails, I just remind myself that this too shall pass! We start our spring break on Monday (late!) and it will almost be the end of the school year. (although I can't say that "times flies" this year!) :) Thank you for sharing your heart freebies!
Melissa :)