NBCT Celebrating

After I found out that I achieved National Board Certification, I had to celebrate!  My friend Kathy treated me to lunch at Taco Bell.  We really went big! ; )  Then, that night John and David went with me to Walker Brother's Pancake House, my favorite!  David told them it was my birthday, so I got a free sundae.

I have been thinking a lot about my certification and my age (30 is not far away...) and I have come to the conclusion that I have turned into a career woman.  I know it sounds very corny, but I always thought that the title career woman was reserved for business.  However, the more I think about it, I have put so much towards my career in Education.  Since graduating, I have worked every year, earned one master degree and am working on a second, was named teacher of the year, achieved national board certification, among other things.  I have put off having children and have worked hard.  I am proud of myself!

50th Day of School

For the 50th day of school this year, we decided to celebrate 50's style.  We had a lot of fun educational activities along with bubble gum blowing, soda float making, and taking pictures in a cardboard glittery Cadillac.  Although I can not show you all the pictures from the day, I can show you my outfit.  I love any reason to celebrate!

Love Notes.

I have been receiving love notes from my class last year.  The wind up on my desk daily.  They tell me how beautiful I am and how much they miss me.  They do a lot for my self-esteem!  I love my job.

Notice - This one is from my "lover" ha!  Can't figure out how to turn it...

ABC Dates - A - Applefest

I am attempting to have David go on different dates that start with the letter of the alphabet.  I am not so sure we will ever get past A though.  We shall see!  It could be fun...

For our "A" date we went to the Long Grove Applefest.  We went last year and had a lot of fun.  They had apple cinnamon donughts that are soooo stinking good.  David saw a bacon-wrapped hot dog and had to try it.  He tried to be a little healthy though by asking to leave the cheese off of it...

Start of School.

The start of school was such a blur.  Times have been so busy with everything that is going on.  I wanted to share some pictures though.  I decided to send each of my students a book this year along with a letter that I usually send.  It was a hit!  I have a fabulous student teacher and found a fun beginning of school gift for her on Pinterest.  I also have a super cute (and small) class!

Big Runs.

Preparing for the marathon was quite the challenge.  Part of that challenge was two 20 miles long runs.  Those weeks were particularly challenging because the week mileage was also so high.  During the week I ran two five mile runs and one ten.  The first 20 miler  I ran with a CARA (Chicago Area Running Association) and the second one I ran with friends in the Chicago Marathon.  I was proud of myself!

Putting your name on your shirt and hearing it called during a race could be the greatest thing ever.

I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so very excited to say that I "achieved" my National Board Certification!!!  I can not explain how hard this was for me.  There is about a 30 - 40 percent pass rate for first-time candidates, so I was beyond thrilled.

A little about the certification...

National Board Certification is an advanced teaching credential, achieved upon successful completion of a voluntary rigorous assessment program.  It is the teaching profession's highest certification.  I am now certified to teach for 10 years and can teach in any state.  In 2022 (crazy right?!) I will go through a renewal process to hopefully earn another certificate for 10 years beyond that.

Also...I can now sign my name Sarah Barnett, NBCT...not like I will do that though ; ) 

Friends!

I had some friends come to visit this summer.  I loooove visitors!  Although it was awhile ago now, I still want to post some pictures of our adventures!

My friends Kathy and Megan came (Why do I not have a picture of Megan??!!) and we went to Ann Sather's after a run.  It was so beyond good.

We also went to the Lincoln Park Zoo.  We thought this gal was pregnant for sure...the zookeeper told us she was on birth control though!

And...of course...we went to Sprinkles!  (BTW, David happened to bring a dozen cupcakes home for us this past weekend.  And I ate 4.  Whoops.)

This crazy statue is right by my house.  What in the world?!

My Little Sister Ashley came to visit all the way from San Diego!!!

We did soo many things, but this is from exploring the city with Señora B.

My MCE!!

Color Run!

On the Friday of the first week of school, I drove with some teacher friends to Milwakuee to run The Color Run.  I wanted to do it when it came to Chicago in early June, but it sold out too quickly.  Although I was tired, we had a messy blast!  I would recommend this race!!

A little photo shoot at school before the race...