What I'm Loving Wednesday

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Here's what I'm loving on this first Wednesday in September--

I'm loving that the 2011-2012 District Teacher of the Year was announced last night!  I remember that night--like it was yesterday--exactly one year ago today when my name was being called.  I got emotional just thinking about it!  So many blessings came my way last year and I couldn't be happier to pass along and share this joy with yet another teacher! 

I'm loving that my field experience teacher candidate from Winthrop University posted a blog entry yesterday!  She started with our class last week and we are so happy to have her!  I hope to share my experiences and learn from her as well. 

I'm loving that it's Color Theme Weeks in  kindergarten!  We are showing our kindergarten spirit and reviewing colors by dressing up each day in a new color.  Today is ORANGE day--had to go shopping for this one! But I did find a pretty orange sweater!

I'm loving  that the temps are slowly falling.  It was cool this morning!  I love walking out the door in the morning and feeling the cool breeze.

I'm loving this new hand soap that my AMAZING assistant teacher brought me yesterday!  We both love Fall and the scents and colors that come along with it! The scent is Pumpkin Caramel Latte.  Yum.

And on that same topic, I'm loving that the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Starbucks!!  Double Yum.

What are you loving today? 

Meet Mrs. Lochel

Today is an exciting day--it's Meet the Teacher! 

All of my new parents will be coming in today to, well, meet ME!

Here's a little bit about me just to get us started. 

This is me and my husband, Mr. Lochel, on a weekend trip to Asheville, NC this summer.  We have been married for 4 years!  

We have 2 sweet cats at home.

We love to go white water rafting!  We have season passes to the USNWC in Charlotte and took a trip into Tennessee for our anniversary and rafted down the Nolichucky River!

I am from Fort Mill and have lived here my entire life.  My Mom and Dad are both still living here too!

This year marks the start of my 8th year teaching.  I have been at Sugar Creek since it opened 3 years ago.  I have taught 1st grade for 6 years and this is my 2nd year in Kindergarten.

I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember.  See if you can find me in this picture.  This was the end of my pre-school year. I was just months away from becoming a kindergartner myself!



Last year I was honored with the award of Fort Mill School District Teacher of the Year.  I had a fantastic year meeting up with other DTOYs from across our state, attending state forums, and hearing people talk about education.  This year, I will head up the Fort Mill Teacher Forum which brings together teacher leaders from each school.  This is a picture from my day at the State House with my DTOY friends from York and Clover.

And, I won a CAR for a year!  I'll be giving it up soon, but I've enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you again Toyota of Rock Hill!

In my free time I love to read and spend time with my amazing Mom.  This is a picture of us from my wedding day.

Above all, I just love to teach.  I love the children and I love providing them with a solid foundation and a love for learning that will stay with them for many years to come.

I hope that helps you get to know me a little better. 

I couldn't be more thankful or thrilled to be starting a new school year with a group of eager kindergartners. 

Hopefully we'll all be able to Keep Up With The Kindergartners!

Thank You GCADA!!

The minute I was named District Teacher of the Year last September, blessings started flowing my way and they have yet to cease!  I couldn't be more humbled or grateful for the honor and the many accolades that have come with it. 

I put to use one of the BEST prizes this weekend!  Thanks to the Greater Charlotte Automobile Dealers Association, my husband and I enjoyed a 2 night stay at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.

Our mini vacation began by sleeping in on Saturday morning.  We had breakfast in bed then went out for pedicures. Yes, Mr. Lochel did too.....I hope the news that I blogged about this doesn't get back to him!  Hoping the holiday weekend traffic wouldn't be too bad, we slowly made our way into Asheville that afternoon.

Welcome to the Grove Park Inn!

The view from the front porch looking down

Our package included two tickets to a concert on Saturday night!  We had an amazing time, AND, I get to cross this off my Summer Bucket List!  Better yet, I actually recognized the singers.  I figured it would be a local band, which would have been great, but this was even better.  It was Joey and Rory!  They are a country singing duet who were discovered a few years back on CMT's "Can You Duet" show.

Mr. and Mrs. Lochel with Joey and Rory! 

They were much taller than they looked on stage!

We had an amazing breakfast on Sunday morning and spent the day by the pool.  We both got "sun kissed."

From the breakfast buffet......

Our dinner at one of GPI's amazing restaurants was also included in our package. It was an Independence Day buffet.  We had shrimp and lobster and potatoes and salad and local roasted veggies and so on and so on. 

We spent the rest of the evening hanging out in the Main Hall listening to a swing band.  We also enjoyed a tasty beverage called "Patriots Punch!)

We hated to leave on Monday morning but we LOVED getting to have lunch with my Aunt Lillian and Uncle Max who live in Asheville.  We also got to see my cousin Leslie, her husband Barry, and their son Bruce (the most well behaved and focused almost 3 year old boy that I have ever encountered), who were all in town visiting. 

So, as I blog today, I am thankful for many things; I am thankful for the GCADA, my husband, my family, and my country. 

Happy 4th of July!



Summer Bucket List
1.Trip to the beach
2. Read a book, or two, or three
3. Start a new tradition at home
4. Give a heartfelt surprise to someone (purchased said surprise, in search of the receiver)
5. Give a good report to a manager about an employee
6. Extreme Makeover: Kindergarten Closet Edition
7. Begin writing a children's book
8. Clean out all 4 3 closets (one down, three to go!)
9. Try Yoga again (my friend Kristy invited me to go...I have been a slacker, but am still hoping to go soon!)
10. Write a letter to the editor
11. Write a letter to a friend
12. Go on a picnic
13. Start a blog
14. Learn about Guided Math Groups (professional book in hand!)
15. Go to a concert
16. Finally beat my husband at a game of Clue: The Office edition
17. Complete Family Trust Grant (changed from Foundation to Family trust b/c I missed the deadline)
18. Complete and mail in STAR Teacher Application