teacher life

blazer: Super old from Urban Outfitters (shop this similar style from J.Crew Factory)

tee: Teach For America x J.Crew

pants: J.Crew (shop a similar style from J.Crew Factory below)

shoes: Sole Society (similar wedge style, also love the kitten heel on this tan suede pump)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

We officially have the 1st quarter of the school year in the books & while I am also afraid to say this for fear of jinxing myself, I'm feeling pretty great about this year!

Last year was my first year of teaching & it was terrible. I didn't sleep & barely had enough time to feed myself most days. I had SO much to learn about teaching & wanted to figure it ALL out so that I could be an effective instructor for my students. I knew my students deserved the best me, but what I didn't realize was that when I showed up to school sleep deprived, frustrated, & frazzled to my last nerve, I was actually doing a disservice to everyone. I somehow made it through, & was even crazy enough to sign up for another year.

Now in my second year, I am starting to settle in to my teaching groove. The lesson plans that I made from scratch last year are absolutely awful, but I at least have a place to spring board off. Instead of spending 6 hours a night planning the next day's lesson into the wee hours of the morning, I can spend 6 hours on a weekend planning the entire next week - it feels so good. I have found tips & tricks for maintaining the balance of rigorous instruction, building relationship with my students, pleasing the administration & finding time to be an actual human. And most of all, I am thankful for my students from last year that I get to see everyday. 1 or 2 come back to my class to visit each week, reminiscing about the good times they had in my Science class - one even asked to come back! That little brown-noser!

Teaching truly takes a village & I couldn't do it without my support team - my husband, parents, fellow teachers, school administration, & my 105 7th graders who have a dazzling future before them!

Help J.Crew support teachers by purchasing this fun pencil tee designed in partnership with Teach For America. We sadly do not have enough high quality teachers where we need them the most - areas of high poverty, rural counties, inner cities that serve a large population of minorities and/or recent immigrants - but TFA is working to end the disparity in education, one passionate teacher at a time.