Thankful! :)

Okay, so everyone on Facebook and with the blogs that I follow spent the month of November coming up with list of things they are thankful for.  So I decided to jump on the band-wagon and make a list of my own...but I wanted to add a twist!  I have been blessed with an amazing schedule this year and kids that make everyday new and exciting...so I wanted to remind myself of all the...

Reasons I’m Thankful to Teach OR 50 Reasons I LOVE My Job

These are in NO particular order (other than names being alphabetical!) but I felt it would be interesting for me to write down a few reminders about why I do what I do and why I love what I do!

Freshman boys never get old

   *Making bibs out of papertowels

   *Setting the table for me

   *Singing Ke$ha and T.Swift (outloud) without realizing it

The “ah ha” moment when something you’ve been trying to teach finally clicks with a student

Helping students learn skills they will use in the real world

Being a morning person…to the student anyways!  This really is a good fit for me! 

“Umm…what should we do about the fire?”

Erin F. – an amazing desk buddy and a true role model in more ways than words can begin to describe (teacher, wife, mom, friend)

Sharing excitement for a student’s achievement…even if it’s not in my own class

At times being the only cheerleader a student will ever have

Ever changing acronyms…if you don’t like one…just wait…in a few years it won’t be used anymore and there will be a new one to replace it!  (IEP, SIP, PLC, PST, PLT, FCS, FACS, ESL, ELL, etc.)

Being able to update grades from home…not that I do it often…but I do appreciate having the ability to do so.

‘11-‘12 8^th hour foods…enough said!  But really…any 8^th hour foods!

Jen M. – A wonderful mentor and friend.  Someone I can vent to and will help me see the light at the end of the tunnel when I get turned around!

Sometimes a little hands on, arts and crafts time is all a student needs to succeed

Having students seek me out for assistance…even if it’s not for my class…or even a class in my department!

My ESL students…Meese...bowing…laughter every day as we try to understand each other. 

Christi P. – A leader taking our department to the next level.  She truly does have a heart for teaching and helping me become the teacher I’m destined to be.

Dress up spirit days – pj day, college night, Fridays, neon night, etc.

Watching students get into college

BTIO – Real Care baby project!  Sending high school students home with electronic babies!  Fun times!

Kristie W. – My teacher running buddy!  A truly admirable women who can balance a full life, teaching, benevolence and faith…and make it look easy!

Having a student come to me for support; a “can we talk” moment; a confidant

Seeing a student in public and having them smile at you and introduce you to their parents…and have the parents smile back at you and say thank you or I’ve heard so much about you

Watching students grow over the course of a semester or school year

Students who have the ability to fit into places they probably shouldn’t – cabinets, refrigerators, lockers…you name a space…they’ll try to fit in it

Courtney Y. – A woman who taught me how to be an adult.  An amazing hostess, entertainer, and friend.  She constantly amazes me with her memory and thoughtfulness!  

Gingerbread house/Holiday Cup Cake contests

Being able to laugh at myself…sometimes that’s what it takes to reach a tough kiddo

Friday night lights; high school musicals; the squeaking of shoes on the basketball court; the roar of the crowd at a pep assembly (may be wishful thinking…but this year was way closer!); supporting students as they discover their dreams

Spontaneous karaoke in the classroom…songs change depending on the class – summer hits of the 90s; country; R&B…oh the things they come up with

Parent emails thanking you for helping a student learn (how to help in the kitchen, do their laundry, etc)

Lindsey Y. – a truly remarkable teacher.  I’m so thankful for the ideas, concepts, and spirit she has brought to our department.  She’s also my wedding planning buddy as our weddings are 3 months apart next year. 

Having co-workers that will help pick up the slack when you feel like you can’t go on anymore

Student: “Ms. Fedota…I’m about to tell you something that’s probably not really appropriate to tell a teacher…but I don’t know who else to tell”.  Me: “okay, just know that if you or someone you know is hurting themselves or others I have to tell someone” Student: “Oh man…okay…I guess you can tell…all I was gunna say is that my butt got bigger this weekend” (I laughed out loud!  It was Thanksgiving and she felt her pants were a little tighter than usual!)

My meetings can’t possibly take more than 50 minutes (and there’s a bell to tell us when to begin…and when to end!) 

Getting invited to the bowling team holiday party…each student invites their favorite teacher…and I’ve been invited for the 3^rd year in a row…by a third student!)  (yes...I am walking a little taller today!!!)

Having a nurse in the building when you don’t feel good and just need someone else to tell you you are sick!

Watching my students grow and mature each year…they start so little (even the seniors) and watching them leave my classroom a little older each June never gets old.

Giggles, notes, texts, decorated lockers, flowers, balloons…you can always tell when a teenage girl is going to have a good day!  (in the same way though…you can always tell when they aren’t!) 

That moment when the quiet kid FINALLY talks!!! And then doesn’t stop!

When the students help each other…and you can hear them communicating (and at times using phrases you, youself, often use!) and working together to accomplish a task!  (Comments may be: “that’s not really kitchen language” or “NO…don’t sit on the counter…you’ll get booty juices on it” or “soooooo” or “I mean…seriously?”  I guess they really do listen to me when I talk!

The days where you are more productive then your to-do list has to offer!  I love adding things to a well scratched off list during the day!  Such a good feeling. 

Teaching something new to students and then listening to them explain it to others!  Oh the joy of them “getting” it!!! 

Getting to know your students on a personal level (not in a creepy way…but in a way that you realize you have become more of a mentor figure to them)

That moment when you’re teaching and you realize you need to do something to capture their attention and bring them back in…so you scrap you entire lesson and teach in a different way while standing on a table! (Always works wonders…until someone busts you and tells you you can’t file workers comp for an accident you caused yourself!  Good thing I haven’t fallen yet!)

Having your students invite you into their inside jokes!  Such an honor!!!

Learning about all the new technologies that are out there…snap chat, facetime, remind101, twitter, etc…and having the kids laugh when I get them mixed up! 

Getting to collaborate with some AMAZING colleagues and try to make things connect across different classes! 

WANTING to continue learning so that you can be a better teacher for your students!  And coming up with new, exciting, inventive, creative ways to deliver content to your students. 

Getting texts from students that they are REALLY REALLY REALLY enjoying their homework over the weekend.  But seriously…they are having fun…and sending pictures as proof! 

Laughing with your students so hard that you find yourself with tears in your eyes!  It’s great when they can see you are human too!  

I know I am a little last with my list...but I really am thankful each and every day for not only a job as a teacher...but a job that allows me to do something that I absolutely LOVE each and every day!  XOXO  

A few e.pics! :)

Just a few of the pictures Dave and I took this summer!  We had a blast...but it was SO HOT!!!  105 in the shade...and as you can tell...rather hazy but the sun was out at least!  

We were  both in good spirits...but man...was it H.O.T.T.!  

My First 15K

Nope, not 15 thousand...rather 15 kilometers...of running!!!  

At the start...SO MANY PEOPLE!!!

The past few years my brother and I have always run the Chicago Hot Chocolate 5K together.  Last year, following his marathon, I thought it might be neat if I got up the nerve/courage to run a little bit further!  Well, when this year's Hot Chocolate came up I was convinced that this would be a good thing.  I started training (with a little (okay lot) of help from my brother) and figured if I could run 1 I could do 2, if I can run 2 I can run 3, if I can run 3 I can run 4...well you get the idea!  So I started running with a few girls from school and by myself.  I noticed that I can run the loooong runs on my training schedule solo but it was WAY MORE FUN to run with a buddy...now I get why so many runners have dogs!  Hehe.  

Jared was able to be with me as I branched officially onto the second hand when counting consecutive miles!  We ran 7 together on one of my first long training runs.  I was able to then have the mental courage to do it again...twice more...and longer...before we actually ran the hot chocolate.  We had quite a group running by I was SO fortunate to have my running mate at my side the entire time!  :)  Bear stuck with me the whole time...with so many words of encouragement!  XOXO!!!  I LOVE THAT LITTLE BROTHER!!!!! 

The crew (or at least a minor part of it!)

The best part about this race (aside from me accomplishing a great achievement!) was the fondue at the end.  The hot chocolate itself was a bit of a let down...but the yummy melted chocolate and bananas and rice krispies and pretzels were SO WORTH IT!  :)  

So much trash...but SO YUMMY!!!

The Big 2-9

Yup...you read that correctly!  I have officially entered the late 20's.  Now some will argue that I entered this phase at 27 but I disagree!!!  I have to admit...I am very excited for all that 29 has in store for me!  But before we look ahead...let's take a short trip down memory lane...I figured I would highlight one key event in each year of 28 before I close the door on mid-20's and enter my late 20's all systems go!

October 2011 - My little bro runs his first marathon 

November 2011 - Hot Chocolate Race with my little Brother

December 2011 - My best friend asked me to spend the rest of my life with him!  <3

January 2012 - Ringing in the new year in Naples, FL

February 2012 - Ski trip to CO for Valentine's day weekend

March 2012 - St. Patrick's Day in Chi-town with two of my closest friends!

April 2012 - Spring Break in London

May 2012 - Bearie graduates from Marquette

June 2012 - My Best Friend's Wedding (well end of June/start of July)

July 2012 - 4th of July in WI

August 2012 - Summer 2012 Olympic Games in London, England 

September 2012 - Start of my last year as Ms. Fedota 

All in all I have to say 28 was an amazing year, but 29 is shaping up to be rather spectacular!  I am looking forward to spending lots of time with my friends and family, finishing up a GREAT school year, more travel (CO, FL, UK, EU...who knows where else I'll end up!?!?), and marrying my best friend!  XOXO  :)

Wedding Fun!!!!

AHHHH!!!!!  We are almost to the 9 month countdown!!!  YEAH!!!!  I am getting so incredibly excited to marry my very best friend and the man of my dreams!  :)  I cannot wait!  As much as I don't want to give up the K-FED nickname...I am getting so excited to become a J____ girl (sorry ya'll...Dave's just not 100% on the whole blogging thing!!!).  Anyways...I have been checking things off the to-do list left and right here and we are well on our way to planning a fab par-tay for July!  

Some of the most recent check marks include:

• Hotel contract - I did fairly well on this one...not as great as I negotiated with the reception venue...but not too bad
• Shuttle to/from hotel - the more people who stay at the hotel the better!  BOOK your rooms now if you know you're coming!  :)
• Bridesmaid dresses - 1 bridesmaid tried it on last week; 3 more trying them on on Monday!  YEAH for an A-MAZ-ING bridal party who are awesome women!!!
• Centerpieces - I think we've got it to what we want...now it's time to price them out!  Mom and I both agree...we need to get better at delegating what other people (who have totally already offered) could do!  I guess us control freaks :) don't really have to do it all ourselves!   
• Invitation wording - Dave has been working on this!  SO CUTE and I love what he's come up with!  Nice job baby!!!
• Website updated - kind of...but it is getting there!
• Save the Dates mailed - YES!  Such a good feeling!  I invited my aunts and a few cousins over to have an address the save the dates party and we got them all addressed in like 30 minutes!  We even put the 5 year old to work...she was a FANTASTIC stamp putter-onner!  :)

I am SO EXCITED for this winter!  We have so much to do...but Dave will be home so we'll be getting a lot done together!  :)  LOVE THIS GUY!!!!!!  XOXO

Homecoming

I thought it was time for another school post!  Our school's Homecoming was a little early this year but it made for great weather throughout the week (too bad it rained during the football game...which brought with it a chilly cold front for the day of the dance!).  However with the craziness of homecoming (every day is a different dress-up day for school spirit) came Open House and 4 different bell schedules in one week!  AHHHH!!!  Talk about feeling behind...I never felt like I could catch up with what I needed to get done on any given day!  Here's a glimpse of the week (I can only imagine how crazy it was for a student council sponsor!):

Monday - PJ Day (my favorite day of the year!!!) - normal bell schedule

Tuesday - Western Day (jeans, boots, flannel...niiiiiiice) - late start for the kids meaning teachers were in meetings all morning...bell schedule #2

Wednesday - Class Color Day (Frosh-blue, Soph-red, JR-green, SR-gold, faculty-black...simple enough!) - normal bell schedule

Thursday -Decade day...which means...YUP...the roller skates made yet another appearance!!!  ALSO...Open House...meaning early dismissal...bell schedule #3...also means teachers get to go through their day TWICE!

Friday - FHS Spirit Day (support your team...wear yellow and green...yup, I just made that up!).  
OR
Light Up the Night - Neon Day (see pic below if you didn't look their first!).  I definitely went all out this year!  Too bad I had most of the clothes to start...really!  Who does that?!?!?  Anyways...there was a pep assembly at the end of the day meaning...you got it...bell schedule #4 for the week!  I took part of the faculty dance number this year and had a ball...I think part of the video can even be found somewhere on youtube!  HA!  Friday night was also the homecoming football game...complete with a golf cart parade.  This year I had 2 carts in the parade (Operation Snowball and Culinary Club).

Culinary Kids 

OSB Leaders

After the crazy week...I slept like crazy that weekend!  :)

Start of the School Year

The school year got off to a flying start...probably because I had to hit the ground running this year.  I scheduled my flight back to the US for as close to the beginning of school as possible (looking back now that may have been a poor decision...although I LOVED the extra time with my lovey man!)   I arrived back in the US on Sunday evening, Monday I had a meeting at school, Wednesday was our teacher institute and Thursday the kids arrived.  Holy Moly did that week go F-A-S-T!  :)  

As a welcome back to school project I made each teacher in the department a gift (curtsey of pintrest!).  Each lady of FCS received a new tumbler "filled to the brim" with excitement for a new school year!  SO FUN!  :)  It contained little treats like lifesavers, bandaids, rubberbands, erasers, animal crackers, 100 grand & payday candy, stickers, gum, etc.  I just thought it would help everyone transition back to school with a little more ease!  

This year I am teaching 2 classes I haven't taught in a long time!  I am no longer teaching LOYO or Child Development but instead I have picked up Consumer Management and Life Studies.  I LOVE both classes so much!  My Consumer class is a required class for graduation however I teach a sheltered section for students in the ESL program.  We move at a slightly slower pace but they receive the same information!  They are a constant source of entertainment for me...especially since I've had most of the students in foods before!   Life Studies is a predominantly freshman class...and wow...did I forget how cute they are when they all get together!  I have 2 sections of LS with about 15 girls in each!  LOVE THEM!!!  Although the class covers the four main domains in FCS (Foods, Fashion, Child Development, Interior Design over the course of a year) I like to also add a focus on surviving high school and being a good person.  These girls are like sponges and soak up whatever you tell them!  It's great!

Also new this year is my position as a cooperating teacher.  For the first time I have a student teacher.  She is with me (and another teacher) until the end of November.  (She started on Day 1!!!)  She's doing a great job and the kids really respond well to her.  I can't wait to see what neat lessons she may create for my classes!  

A little updating is necessary!

Ummm...can we just be honest here and say...WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO!?!?!?!?!?!  I truly cannot believe that it is OCTOBER already!  WOW!  SO...that means I'm up for a little updating...too bad it has taken me 6 weeks into the school year to finally have a little time to myself to get this done!  :)  

So let's start where we left off!  OLYMPICS BABY!  We just received our iBook we made from our time at the Olympics.  I am so thankful we had the opportunity not only to go to the games but also that we were smart enough to get it all into a book as quickly as possible so that we wouldn't forget anything!  

Following our time at the games we realized that there were so many things we wished we had done while we were chillin' in London!  It is very typical for me and Dave to overbook ourselves when we travel (may I remind you of our crazy 8 days in Italy last summer???) so it really did not surprise us that we did it yet again!  We spent so much of our waking hours up on our feet touring the city and sites that by the time we got back to our hotel we only had energy left to shower (and even that was tough!)  

Oh the memories!  I still look back on our pictures with such excitement!!!  It feels unreal!  We are definitely hoping that we will make it to the games again in the future!    

Just a little tease!

So the highlight of our summer in England has definitely been the London 2012 Olympic games!  We (and when I say "we" I actually really mean Dave) were fortunate enough to get tickets for a number of events through the ticket lottery.  We knew we were lucky but it really sank in when as we talked to other people that have lived in England their whole lives and did not receive any tickets.  As I am SO excited to get ALL my memories down on paper (or, uh, the internet?) I feel I owe it to many to post a little teaser update with a few pics and the brief outline of our experience!

Our Olympic Adventure actually spanned two weekends.  (We took a day trip to Bath during the week of vacation Dave took from work to celebrate the games!  That will be a later post as well!)

I look slightly scared to be taking a
picture with Dave...I think I was just
trying to keep my eyes open!  :)

We started our experience on Saturday August 4, 2012 at Earl's Court towards the west end of town.  This venue was actually used that last time the Olympics were in London (1948).  We were there to see Men's Indoor Volleyball.  Our helpful handout that came with the tickets suggested getting to the venue 2 hours before the start time to avoid the lines...well...we did this...and got through the lines, security, ticket scanners, and into the stadium in under 20 minutes!  So...we had about 90 minutes to take it all in before the fun really started!  We were able to see two different men's volleyball games:

Germany v. Tunisia 

German victory in all 3 games

Great Britain v. Poland 

Polish victory in all 3 games

One of our 100s of action shots!

Dave outside the arena! 

Near our seats!  :)

Sunday August 5 found us at Horse Guards Parade awaiting our turn to watch the ladies compete in a little beach volleyball action.  It was announced earlier in the games that if the temperature was below 17 degrees celsius (62.6 degrees fahrenheit) the ladies could cover up (they typically compete in sports bikinis).  Since we had tickets to the latest session of the day we were really hoping we would get to see the US ladies play!  And we were in LUCK!!!  We actually got to see two different sessions of the games:

Brazil v. Germany 

We cheered for the Germans (1 because my cousins are living there right now and 2 because they only covered up the bottoms...while the Brazilians kind of looked like Orcas!)

Brazil won the first 2 games so they didn't play a 3rd  

Czech Republic v. USA

Obviously we were cheering for the red, white and blue!

USA won the first 2 games so they didn't play a 3rd   

Happy couple after a USA V.I.C.T.O.R.Y.

I'll block that spike!!!

USA in the white!  

Monday August 6 found us at the Olympic Park!  YEAH!!!!  We had morning tickets for Men's basketball but our tickets allowed us to stay in the park as long as we wanted!  :)  YEAH!!!  Aside from the prelim rounds of basketball, the Olympic Park was also home to the Olympic Stadium (the ONLY place you could see the torch...needless to say...we didn't), the Orbit (looks like a really short rollercoaster...not really necessary...just a tourist attraction!), the Velodrome (what's up bikers), the Aquatic Center (hello swimmers & divers), and the BMX track(we think) (I wasn't (and still am not) convinced this is an olympic sport...sorry).  SUCH FUN!!!!!!!  We got to watch the live taping of the Today Show (they wear a LOT of make-up), take our picture with the rings, and did a lot of walking!  Our helpful handout for this venue failed to mention that it was a 2 mile walk from the Underground Station to the entrance!!!  Oh...and then another 25 minute walk to the actual b-ball arena once you entered the grounds!  HA!  We were a tad late for the game!  But we were okay with that!!!  We got to take in two basketball games this time including:

Australia v. Russia 

We wanted the Aussies to win...and win they did...barely!  82-80

Lithuania v. Tunisia

I was hoping Lietuva(lee-et-too-va...how the fans chant) would win...and they did! 76-63

In front of the Olympic Stadium!

In front of the entrance to the park

Dave doing the BOLT in front of the B.Ball Arena 

Men's Basketball

With the RINGS!!!!

 Thursday August 9 found us back in London for our final event of the games!  Friday August 10 we had tickets to the 5:00 game between Spain and Russia...we really wanted tickets to the 9:00 game between Argentina and the USA!  After a little successful negotiations we were able to purchase 2 single tickets to the US game and quickly sold our tickets to the first game!  YEAH!!!  The only downside was that since we purchased two single tickets they were SUPER far apart (1 was down in the 100 level; the other was up in the 400 level).  So we decided that I would take the good ticket first and then Dave would get it for the 2nd half.  I didn't want to see him go all the way up to his seat and since there were 4 seats next to me open he just sat there for as long as he would be allowed to...which ended up being the ENTIRE GAME!!!!!!!!  YEAH!!!!!!!  So to keep in form like the upper portion of this update I'll say this:  We were able to watch the following men's semi-final basketball game at the Greenwich Arena:

Argentina v. USA

We were hoping for a US victory - and we got it!  126-97

To say we had a blast would be a MAJOR understatement!!!  We loved our time...but our feet were a little upset!  Deck shoes (as much as I love you my sperries!) are not the best footwear for walking miles and miles each day!  Oh well!  Such is life!!!  

Remembrances

I found myself taking a trip down memory lane yesterday and didn't really realize I was there until I felt the tears on my cheeks.  (We ALL know I'm a cryer...so the tears could have been because Finn and Rachel broke up again (or was it Finn and Quinn?) in season 2 of Glee...or because I was tied...much more likely...regardless, there have been many wonderful people in my life that left before their time that I think of often with a smile!!!)


Grandma Kitty - okay...now we KNOW I'm tired if this is the first thing that I write about!!!  Grandma Kitty was my dad's mom.  We lived with her for a while while our home in Palatine was being built.  I have so many memories of watching the Cubs play on TV with the sound off so we could listen to the radio announcers.  We would set out lawn chairs to save parking spaces in the city for my parents upon their return from work.  We would ride the El...just for the sake of riding the El.  We would walk Tedo (not a real dog...but a pound puppy dog that we would tie a string around and pull down the street).  And every time it rains I think of a poem we would repeat on our morning walks if it was raining.  

One misty, moisty morning, 

When cloudy was the weather, 

I chanced to meet an old man clothed all in leather. 

He began to compliment, and I began to grin, 

How do you do, and how do you do?

And how do you do again?

Seeing as it has been raining during some of my stay here in England I have found myself repeating this nursery rhyme time and time again.  And I smile when I think about how it's kinda like England.  As I walk home from dropping Dave off at the bus I see the same faces and have started to smile and say hello as we pass!  :)  


Uncle Joe - with the Olympics being televised (ALL THE TIME) live in London I can't help but think back to my first experience with the games!  Back in 1996, 2 of my dad's brothers lived and worked in Atlanta, GA.  With all the hype around the games the Fedota brothers were fortunate enough not only to have tickets to a wide variety of events (tennis, track, swimming, softball...to name a few) but also to be a part of the games.  One brother (Joe) was an envoy to the Bahraini athletes (big into sailing but sadly didn't medal).  He was basically in charge of the team and was responsible for making sure they got to and from each other their events.  So fun!  My other uncle (Gary) was on a team of people who did all the pedestrian traffic signage.  At the start of the games he would stand on top of buildings and watch where foot traffic backed up or funneled funny and then the team would work overnight to create signs for new traffic patterns.  Joe's wife was working for another teams consulate at the time and was working with their athletes as well.  (Such an involved family).  I remember with fondness the humor that Joe brought to each and every situation.    


S.E.F. - SEF was taken WAY before her time.  We lived in the Chi Omega house together (for the semester she lived there) and then lived in an off-campus house with 6 other ladies.  SEF lived in the attic - it was like her own little sanctuary up there...so much space!  She definitely drew the long straw when it came to room picking - while Carebear and I were stuck in the basement...oh but we loved our dark little space down there (possums and all!!!!).  :)  SEF was such a positive, cheerful, funny, and inspiring young woman.  It's hard to believe she was needed in heaven 6 years ago.  


Okay - I really don't want anyone to feel like I left out a loved one who deserves to be recognized here. This was just meant to be my thoughts as I sit and watch the mist fall over the mountain (hill?) outside the window.  There really were no intentions here!  Other than to say that sometimes, and it happens to us all, we miss people in our hearts more than I minds will us.