Summertime & the living's easy

Summer is here and I'm loving every second of it! It's been great going to dinner with friends, relaxing on the deck with my parents, and spending days out in the sun. For the last couple of weeks I have been nannying for four adorable children Monday-Friday. There is little miss Caroline- a 9 year-old girl, 7 year-old Joseph (JoJo), and the sweetest 3 year-old twin girls, Catie and Avery. They are the cutest kids in the world and definitely have been keeping me busy. 

Besides nannying, I have finally moved some things into my classroom to clear up everything that was cluttering our guest room. However, it is still looking pretty empty. I will start decorating and really getting things ready about mid-July! :) I cannot wait! Those that know me, know I LOVE crafting, organizing, and designing anything from a Barbie house to a real-life bedroom (I spent hours as a child playing "The Sims" but we won't go there...) Anyways it will be fun and I will be sure to post pics!

I just got home yesterday from my family's annual summer trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and it was AMAZING!

Every year since my mom was 18, her family has gone to HHI for summer vacation. It is my favorite tradition that has grown from 7 people, to our expanding family of 21. It is my favorite week and one that I anticipate all year long. During our week in paradise, we enjoy laying out in the gorgeous sun, playing water volleyball and competitive games of four-square on the beach, grilling out, shopping at Coliginy Plaza, getting drinks at the Frosty Frog, and eating out at Skull Creek and Scott's Fish Market. Every year I feel like it just keeps getting better and better! Since I have to wake up early tomorrow to return to the nanny life, I will post pictures later with more details on our wonderful week in paradise! Good night! :)

Exciting News for Ms. Mitchell!

I am so extremely excited to announce that I was offered a teaching position last Monday and I ACCEPTED! I will officially be teaching 6th and 7th grade language arts next year at St. Agnes Parish School, a Catholic school at home.  Teaching has been a dream of mine ever since I can remember and it's an amazing feeling knowing that my dream is so close to finally becoming a reality.

I am filled with a mixture of emotions at this monumental time in my life. I couldn't be more happy about my job and the school in which I will be teaching next year, but at the same time I am beginning to realize my four years at UD are quickly coming to an end.  Knowing that graduation is only three weeks away is mind-blowing.  I feel like I should still be a freshman, experiencing college for the first time, living in dorms, and eating in the cafeteria.  The past four years have flown by (just like everyone warned they would) and it all just feels so bittersweet. I am so unbelievably grateful for my wonderful college experience and couldn't have asked for a better school, better teachers, or better friends.  My time at the University of Dayton has been amazing and I feel so blessed that my parents made it possible for me to attend this great institution.

Life Update!

Life has been crazy busy lately, as usual! But it has been fantastic. I have absolutely LOVED student teaching this semester and can't believe my last day is only five weeks away! :(

My cooperating teachings have been phenomenal and have taught me so much. One of my favorite things that I implemented was this quick and easy version of an "exit slip":

I put post-its on the students' desks in the morning and at the end of class I have them write down what stuck with them from that day's lesson. It is such a cute and easy way to see how much students actually comprehended. 

Aside from student teaching, I have also been on the job hunt! Being a teacher it's somewhat difficult finding a job because schools don't post openings until late spring.  I have been fortunate enough to have been in contact with some schools from home that already know open positions for next school year. I even have a job interview next Friday at one of the Catholic schools in Louisville! :) AND we had a career fair today at UD where I interviewed with two school districts from Louisville. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and trying to stay proactive about completing on-line applications and keeping in contact with schools. I can't believe the real world is quickly approaching but I couldn't be more excited about it!

A couple of weekends ago my two best friends, Liz and Morgan, came to visit! I can't wait until we are all living in the same city again!

And of course with senior year coming to a close, the roomies and I are trying to enjoy every second of our last year at Dayton. I have been so blessed living with these 6 amazing girls and know that we will keep in touch long after graduation. 

The wonderful St. Patty's day was last Sunday and campus was a sea of green as usual! 

Now I'm just trying to get through this last week and a half before SPRING BREAK! I cannot wait for next Friday because my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, and I are all going to Hilton Head!! I am so unbelievably excited for this much-needed vacation and quality time spent with family.