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? 

Hello Out There!

Greetings from Mrs. Lochel's classroom! I wanted to take the time to introduce myself to you all because I will be spending some time with your children in Mrs. Lochel's classroom this semester and I am SUPER excited! I was born and raised in York where I lived with my Mama & Daddy. I graduated from Winthrop in 2009 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I also got married in September 2009.

My Daddy and I at Kerr Lake (1989).

(My Daddy passed away when I was 16 so I love to remember times with him through pictures.)

My husband, Jesse, and I at Ocean Isle Beach! (2010)

After graduation from Winthrop, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do for a career so I looked for a job in criminal justice (my Daddy was a police officer/police chief of York so I was always interested in the field). I was hired by the Department of Juvenile Justice as a juvenile probation officer. I had a caseload of approximately 60 juveniles, ranging in age from 12-17, that I was responsible for seeing once a month to hold them accountable to their court order.

Needless to say, I began to burnout quickly from the stress of that line of work. I did some soul-searching and realized that I truly wanted to help children but not in the capacity I was working. Most of the kids I worked with had already given up on a successful life.

I wanted to change their perspective but realized that I may be more successful in an educational environment, where I could inspire them to reach for the stars EARLY.

I believe most of my juvenile probationers were in trouble with the law because they felt they had nothing to lose - they didn't see a future for themselves besides a life of crime. I believe that a teacher can help children understand they are capable of achieving even their highest goals and aspirations.

Hopefully this semester I will help remind your children that they can reach for the stars and beyond - and education is the key to get there!