Back to School 2025

I official had my first back to school day this past week, although I was back doing admin things the week before, the teacher school calendar for 2025-26 school year official started Monday, Aug. 25th.  I thought it would be fun to do a little Q & A of my life as an educator.

1.  How long have I been teaching?  

Going into my 18th year! (8 as f/t teacher, 4 as consultant, 6 as vice-principal)

2.  What grades have I taught? 

 PreK, K, Gr.1, Gr. 2, Gr.4, adult education as a consultant.  Most of my years have been spent specializing and honing my skills and passion for the early years.

3.  Start school before or after Labor Day?

I start before as admin and the kids start after.

4. Favorite subjects to teach?  

To children, literacy and science.  As a leader, I love being a mentor to new teachers.  It fills me with great joy.

5.   New outfit for the first day or no?
Totally depends.  We usually have some new things but I didn't grow up with a 'back-to-school' shopping trip and so my kids really don't either.  We might just buy one thing or create an outfit from what we already have.  Totally different every year.

6.  Wake up: eager beaver or slow poke?
EAGER BEAVER!  I love morning and often annoy my family with my morning energy. 

7.  Coffee, tea or pop?  

Coffee is LIFE!

8.  Backpack, tote, or messenger bag?
Lots of bags.  LOL.  When you are a teacher you always seem to be carrying endless bags.

9.  Favorite back to school supply item?
Colored pens and a organizer all the way.

10. Best part of the profession?  

The hugs that show that a child feels safe with you.  It's an indication that you've become their person.  I also love seeing adult students all these years later and chatting with them, seeing the incredible humans they've become, or running into their families and reconnecting.  

Summer finally arrived the week we were officially back to school.  So all week long I was dressing in my favorite summer outfits and it looks like that trend will be going forward into next week.  Today, is a holiday but tomorrow we get to welcome  the kids!!!!!  

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday 

On a personal note I have one kiddo heading to her first year of University and the other one is off to grade 10.  If you have kids off to school, I am wishing them all the best and you as well.

What I Wore to the First Day of School

Hello friends!  I am back with my first day of school outfit.  I figured those signs that the kids have make them look so darn cute so I thought maybe it would help me out too.  Hahaha.  #itsnotjustforkids 

Speaking of being/acting like a child.  Did you do a back to school clothing shopping adventure?  We did not and actually I don't make it a big thing for my girls either.  If they need clothes we buy them, if they don't we just wait until they do.  This is probably because it wasn't a part of my childhood so to be honest it's not something that dawns on me as a thing to do. This year I did take the girls shopping but it was mostly because they were going to visit my sister and they needed new clothes as they just grew and grew and grew over the summer.  My Halie, my first born, my 12 year old is wearing size 8.5 and 9 women's shoes!!!!!  STOP growing!!!!  (for the record I wear a 7.5 or 8)

Anyway, even though I didn't have this back to school clothing adventure, I love picking out what I am going to wear to school.  It's the anticipation of seeing everyone for the first time in a couple of months and truly wanting to put my best foot forward. This year I am at a brand new school, in a new position, so I really wanted to dress nicely but also not overly dressy.  Most people in the last four years have seen me presenting, so heels, pencil skirts, blazers, etc.  I love all of those things, but I am in a school that requires me to be on the move, where families aren't necessarily walking through the doors wanting to see someone who they can't relate to, so I wanted to showcase my more casual, daily lifestyle wear, while also staying professional.  I am actually really huge on  professional dress codes, and though you can be more casual at times you still need to present yourself as a well put together, professional person.  Since the first day was just our staff, doing some team building, professional learning, and since summer is still here, I decided to layer one of my favorite jumpsuits.  I love how a classic white tee looks layered under a jumpsuit, and I added some fun boho jewelry to my look.  These earrings have been on repeat ALL summer long.  They are  lightweight and just make a statement on their own.  I also traded in my heels for some flats so that I can put on lots of miles during the day. 

 

Don't forget a healthy snack to keep me going.  My favorite is a good old green smoothie to get me from lunch to supper.  

It's been a fantastic first week but it's been busy.  Through that busyness it's easy to lose sight of things that are truly important.  I was so glad that I put a visit to my grandma's as a priority in my life this week.  I hadn't seen them through the summer much because we were at the lake, and so going into this week of work I knew that if I truly wanted to make that happen, I would have to write it down and make it a non-negotiable.  That day it trumped by workout and you know what, I am glad it did.  

How did you get ready for the first day of school as a child?  If you have children, do you have any special traditions  with them?

Shop This Look:

Jumpsuit (old; similar Old Navy )

Earrings 

Favorite White Tee

Guess Shoes (old; Naturalizer Metallic Flats)

First Day of School Outfits 2017 Style

I am back with a special first day of school addition with my mini-me's!  Halie (Gr. 5) and Anya (Gr.2) are ready for another school year tomorrow, well as ready as they can be.  I on the other hand officially started last week, but have been going into the office for a couple of weeks now.  I love the excitement of a first day of school/work outfits.  You are ready to see all the people you haven't had a chance to meet up with all summer, to exchange summer stories and to start fresh with new goals.   It's still fairly warm here so we choose outfits that can be layered.  Youngest to oldest, lets take a look. 

Disclaimer:  I let them choose their own clothes, gone seem the days when I could dress them myself.

Anya (Gr.2)
Anya is going into grade 2 with a positive attitude and is very hopeful to get Halie's old teacher that we all loved.  She is a spitfire, quick talker, sweet manipulator, ready for action and still loves to cuddle.  She recently purchased this Mal (Decendents) jacket from the Disney Store as her back to school gift from us.   It's an adorable, faux-leather, moto jacket and worth every penny.  Everything else she already had in her closet, skirt (Gap), polka-dot top (Joe Fresh) and these sweet little tie-up flats are a Walmart special. 

Halie (Gr.5)
I have been so thankful this summer for the time I had to spend with Halie.  She is in a time of change and I was so grateful that we had so much time to connect this summer as I know she is entering an age that is generally out of my comfort zone.  She is really into MAKE-UP and clothing.  At first I wasn't sure how I felt about it but I realized this isn't something I wanted to fight her on, so instead I embraced it and taught her to put on make-up so it's neutral rather than LOOK-AT-ME. Her favorite clothing lines are Jessica Simpson and Material Girl. My sister took her shopping at the Bay and she put two outfits together depending on the weather on the first day of school. 

 

Me
I purchased this dress on the internet while on a road trip (I was the passenger).  This beauty was a steal of a deal  for $17.99  from the Bay (sorry sold out).  I had so many complements on it, and several people said I looked Greek, bonus!  I think it's the way the stark white of the dress really pops against my tanned skin color.  And who doesn't just want to gush over these oversized bell sleeves. 

Dress:  Moonrise (sold out); similar top

I am also playing along with the ladies of The Blended Blog to answer some Back-To-School questions.

1.  Did you love school or hate it?
LOVE!  I am social so it was a great place to meet people.  I also had my ups and downs, but overall it was a positive experience for me.

2.  Start school before or after Labor Day?
I start before as a teacher/consultant and the kids start after.

3.  Wake up: eager beaver or slow poke?
EAGER BEAVER!  I love morning and often annoy my family with my morning energy. 

4.  Favorite breakfast?
I eat the same thing everyday.  Peanut butter, jam (sometimes I switch it up with honey), toast. 

5.  Favorite cereal?
Before celiac diagnosis, cream of wheat covered in chocolate chips. 

6.  School uniform or no uniform? 
Thankfully I can dress the way I want to. :)

7.  New outfit for the first day or no?
Totally depends.  We usually have some new things but I didn't grow up with a 'back-to-school' shopping trip and so my kids really don't either.  We might just buy one thing or create an outfit from what we already have.  Totally different every year.

8.  Walk to school or bus> 
Drive to work.  Kids walk.

9.  Backpack, tote, or messenger bag?
Lots of bags.  LOL.  When you are a teacher you always seem to be carrying endless bags.

10.  Eat school lunch or packed lunch?
Packed.  Leftovers preferable.

11. White or chocolate milk?
Neither.  Hate milk.  Unless you consider ice cream a milk group in which case I will take any color and almost any flavor. 

12.  Paper bag or lunch box?
Lunch bag.

13.  Favorite thing to o at recess?
4 Square!!!!

14.  Favorite back to school supply item?
Colored pens and a organizer all the way.

15.  Chalkboard or dry erase board? 
Chart paper.

16.  Regular pencil or mechanical?
Mechanical is so much more fun.

17. Homework as soon as you get home or after dinner?
Right before class. 

18.  Favorite after school snack?
hmmm......

19.  Favorite after school show?
Saved By The Bell

20. Favorite subject in school?
Math.  I loved worksheets and right answers.

21.  Least favorite subject in school?
Gym. I was very uncomfortable with myself in high school.

22.  Name of your best friend in high school?
Amber and Ashely were among them.  There were others but those two are still my closest friends.

23.  High school mascot type?
No idea.

24.  SAT or ACT?
Neither thankfully.

25.  Favorite year in school? 
Gr. 5-7 spent in Kenaston. 

26.  Class ring or no class ring?
NOPE.  I do remember them having the class jackets which were not my thing and honestly my family just didn't have the $ for that.

27.  Attend or not attend high school reunion? 
If we had them I would totally attend.  I'd love to see people and hear their stories.  Many of the people I went to school with are on FB so I can see them off/on.  More than that I would love to meet the people that I went to school in Bosnia with.  I would be fascinated to find out if they are still alive, who they became and just be in their presence.


That's all for today!  Happy 2017-18 school year all!