Our First Week as Fourth Graders

During our first week together, we focused on creating a positive learning environment, where learners are encouraged to think outside of the box, feel safe to take risks and most of all love learning! 

Together we created our class social contract based on how we wish to be treated and how others should treat us.  We started as writing down what we thought was important as individuals, shared with our table groups and then came together as a class to write our social contract. 

With building a positive classroom, comes working together as a team.  As I worked with the learners of Room 304, I realized that our 4^th graders are beginning to come into their own, learning how to express their ideas and work together as a team.  We completed several cup challenges, discussing after each challenge, what went well and areas where we can improve.  As a teacher, I quickly learned who the leaders were in each group and who worked well together.  After the first day of cup challenges, our learners were frustrated but determined to make it work.  I love how they didn’t give up but came back the next day ready to try again.  Conversations about listening to each other and how we talk to one another evolved into successfully completing the cup challenges.

A major highlight of our first week together was chromebook rollout!  You would have thought it was Christmas with how excited our Bears were to get their chromebooks.

As I left school on Friday afternoon, I felt at peace about becoming a 4^th grade teacher and know exactly why God brought me here!

Meet the Teacher

On Thursday, August 15, I met the learners and families of Room 304!  Of course, I had read each child’s name in Skyward, heard about who would make up our class, but being able to put a face with each name made Meet the Teacher so special! 

2019-2020 4th Grade Team 

Stations were set up around the room to gather supplies and student information. 

My most favorite station was the photo booth, where learners could use math props and take their picture!

I loved getting to shake the hand of each learner in Room 304 at Meet the Teacher and am even more excited about what our year together will bring! 

Our First Meet the Teacher as Frazier Bears

Creating Our Classroom

It’s hard to believe I have moved my classroom 8 times during the past 7 years.  From moves to within the same building to districts across the DFW metroplex, I felt like I have moving down to an art.  After all, most of my paperwork is now digital and there were very few personal items that were moved from campus to campus. 

When I accepted the opportunity to teach 4^th grade, I found myself hoping I could find all of my story books and games that once covered the shelves of my elementary classroom in Everman ISD.  To say I was excited was an understatement, when I found my books, as well as the perfect chair for our classroom. 

Thanks to the help of a few good men, both my portable at HMS and my 4 Runner were unloaded.  For the next two weeks, my boxes sat, unopened, in true Ms. Pauley fashion!  Apparently this has become my mantra…waiting until the night before Meet the Teacher to unpack and prepare my classroom. 

My first official project, as a 4^th grade teacher, was creating a bulletin board which hangs outside our classroom.  Making paper flowers and cutting out letters, reminded me how much goes into creating a warm, inviting classroom.  

The evenings leading up to Meet the Teacher were spent unpacking, organizing and hanging up classroom decorations.  I’m beyond grateful for the extra help and laughter that came with those evenings, even when the reality of my school supply addiction was exposed! 

                      

As I looked around the room, I could imagine the learners of Room 304 working together on our math tasks, unpacking our TEKS while sitting on our carpet and most of all, reading to my 4^th graders, just as my 4^th grade teacher had done back in 1988. 

Going Back to My Roots

As I packed my belongings into cardboard boxes, at the end of May, I was facing the reality of no longer sharing a portable with Coach Lawson and not having immediate access to Mrs. Everitt, in her adjoining portable.  This would be our third move during the 2018-2019 school year, yet this one brought a sense of closure.  Closure because the three of us had become more than just coworkers but more like a family.  Stefanie and I would be moving into a newly renovated building, while Coach was being led to pursue a new career, which would allow him to serve at church. 

We officially closed the doors of Team Stefibeth on Tuesday, May 28, not having any idea about what doors God was about to open for us.  Boxes were taped and keys were turned in on that Tuesday in May and summer 2019 officially began! 

Over the next two weeks, we would talk about our upcoming year, under new leadership and what the latest staff changes would bring.  Little did we know that God was preparing both Stefanie and I for other opportunities.  Mrs. Lyday has officially been offered the principal position at Frazier right before Stefanie and I were off to AVID Summer Institute.  

As we were going up the escalator at AVID Summer Institute in Dallas, Stefanie quickly asked me if I was going to elementary, all because of a text I sent her, asking what she was certified to teach.  All I could think of is how much fun it would be if Team Stefibeth took our love of kids and learning to Frazier!  Much to my surprise, as soon as I responded with, “Yes!  You need to come too!” Stefanie quickly responded with, “I’ve been asked to do math intervention at Kerr!” 

The happiness and excitement I had for Stefanie as we reached the 2^nd floor also brought a sense of relief for myself.  When Tricia asked me to join the Frazier family, I immediately thought of Team Stefibeth.  I couldn’t imagine “leaving” Stefanie and the joy we brought to our kids’ lives, as well as our own  However, God brought an immediate peace to my heart, when I saw Stefanie’s eyes light up as the opportunity that was offered to her. 

We spent the next couple of days at AVID, going through the motions of being middle school teachers, containing our excitement about what the 2019-2020 school year would bring, while helping create an AVID mindset at HMS.  Neither of us were sharing our news with others, until both positions were official. 

To say that this was just a chance of luck that we were both offered new positions is far from the truth.  Our two opportunities were a gift from God! I officially moved out of Portable 12 on Thursday, July 25, thanks to the help of a few amazing men.  Each serving as a reminder of who I am and why I was brought to BISD. 

The truck was pulled up to the portables, 13 boxes of “stuff” were loaded and we were headed down the road, to where my 19^th year of teaching would begin! 

Another Page in My Story

Over the past several years, I have the opportunity to work for several principals, in various school settings.  Principals who reminded me of what I am capable of accomplishing as a teacher, stretching and guiding my thinking as I took risks to better meet the needs of my learners and most of, led by example.  

When I was offered the 7th grade math position a year ago, I felt at peace and knew that the Lord brought me to Hughes for a reason.  Little did I realize, He was preparing me for what was to come. I was greeted with smiles back in August and peace of mind when my mother faced surgery in October.  As months would go by, our school leadership team would change, due to career opportunities.  Tricia Lyday, an assistant principal, stepped into the role of our academic principal.

It was during the spring semester, where I was reminded of why I loved being a teacher.  I found myself having conversations with Tricia about our standards and best practices, as well as the importance of having a classroom where learners feel valued and loved.  These conversations sparked a much needed enthusiasm during our fast approaching state testing season.

Fast forward to a just a few days ago, when Tricia officially became the new principal at Frazier Elementary. While it may seem unconventional to leave after just one year, the Lord had other plans.  When Tricia asked me to join her at Frazier, teaching math and science,  I knew it was an opportunity from the Lord I couldn’t pass.  I always pray, asking God to put me where He needs me, as well as to put me where the joy of teaching and learning will continue to grow in my heart.

I am excited about what our upcoming year will bring both for our Frazier Bears, but also myself!  Diving into our 4th grade math and science TEKS, I've already begun to see the connection between the foundational skills taught in 4th grade and the middle school TEKS.  I can't wait to begin laying a foundation that will spark a love of learning in both math and science.

As we close the door one last time at Hughes and open the door at Frazier for the first time, I'm already looking forward to the growth and learning that happens in room 304!

Team Stefibeth

One of the best gifts a girl could ask for is the gift of friendship! God definitely knew what He was doing when he brought me to HMS. Being able to share the craziness of middle school, including dance parties during passing period or the occasional 7th grade meltdown, I was blessed to work side by side with you during the 2018-2019 school year!  

At the beginning of our school year, both Stefanie and I faced obstacles involving the health of our parents.  I would soon realize what comfort she brought me, as she became more of a sister than just a coworker.  We found ourselves laughing at the silliness of our 7th graders, focusing on doing what was best for both them as learners and ourselves as teachers.  We persevered through new curriculum and instructional approaches, while growing closer together as teachers and friends.  After all, who else can you laugh with when a lesson flops miserably and you pull out the math photo props?!?!
                                                   

Our year together consisted of lots of moving, both in our personal lives as well as our school life.  From purchasing your first home to making fun of my color coded moving labels, our classrooms soon were packed up and moved out to the portables, just after Thanksgiving break.  Your kids and my kids soon became our kids, which brought joy to everyone's world!  

Team Stefibeth was officially established with our "official"coffee cart!  

Who can forget the fun we had during basketball and track season!  From keeping the books at the basketball games to being the time keepers for track, I don't think I've ever laughed so much from the ongoing rule changes mid-quarter of a basketball game to being asked if, if we knew how to keep time during each track event!

 

Coop taking charge of the clock during a timeout!  

Not a day goes by where I’m not reminded of how awesome God is. He knew exactly what He was doing when He brought me to HMS. Sure, I will miss our daily craziness, impromptu dance parties and morning coffee talks.  However, I will continue to celebrate our friendship, knowing I have a friend who holds me accountable in my faith, as well as being the best teacher for our kids!  
                                                
I can't wait to see what unfolds in your next chapter, as you take on your new role of being the math interventionist at Kerr...Thank you for being you!