Letter to self

1. You are TOTALLY amazing! You are an awesome person all within yourself! You are starting this school year off fresh and
new with new kinder-babies! First and foremost, be kind and patient with yourself along this journey. All kinder-babies
will not get everything on the first attempt! All kinder-babies will need time and assurance throughout this kinder
experience. You must help them build their confidence in themselves as well as in you as their teacher. It is a new time and
day for them. Many of them have never gone to school before. Some of them have, and they just aren’t accustom to how
“big kids school” operates, and that’s A-OKAY! Give yourself the gift of quiet time. Give yourself the gift of breaks and
random weekend trips to rejuvenate yourself! It’s okay to have fun! Speaking of fun, it’s okay to have fun in your classroom!
I know you are faced with many demands already, but think of this summer of how you spent COUNTLESS hours in the
Tuscaloosa libraries preparing for this moment! Lol. Remember you joked with your mom about it being your new favorite
place.  It’s a-okay to be you at what you do. What does it mean to be you at what you do? Well, it’s simple. You’re a fun,
loving type of girl! So create many opportunities for fun and learning to take place in your classroom. Give lots of hugs and
love! Remember how your kinder-babies from last year took pride in holding your hand everyday? Well, show that same
kind of love this year. Create a “just us” opportunity for these kids. “Just us” are those moments in your classroom that NO
ONE else outside of your kinder-grounds understand! It’s just a you and your kinder-babies ordeal! Be firm in the beginning
so that the rest of the year is all hugs, laughs, giggles, and learning! You’ve got this! No matter what it looks and feels like,
you got this! Happy Kinder-Camp! On your campgrounds, fun and learning are sure to happen!
Love on yourself as well this year! You’re entitled to those unconditional love moments of
rejuvenation. There is NO need to compare yourself to anyone else! You’ve got this!
2014 Me (Shannon)