Smiler, Hugger, Give-It-All-I’ve-Got-er, Beach-Lover, Chocolate-Eater, Believer, Encourager, Mama of teens 👫, 22 years a Teacher - now grazing in pastures new.
I am so excited to share this episode with
@MrsVeriTea
and I for one really need to remember this message. "Being Enough with Verity Saunders"
#TinyVoiceTalks
📣
After 22 years in EYFS & KS1, TMS, UPS, SLT & back down again, I’ve decided to leave teaching.
I’m exhausted, heartbroken & feel I’ve failed the children & vocation I have loved & served passionately, but I need to take care of myself, rebuild & repair myself & live.
#edutwitter
The despair is real!… 😩
Last thing I said to Teen 2 before he left this morning; “have you stripped your bed & put all laundry in the basket?”
Teen 2: (sighs) Yes mother - it’s all done.
Me: Sure?
Teen 2: (rolls eyes) Yes I’m sure.
I present to you “the sure”! 🤯😱😳🫣🙄
Today I l lived the mantra that
a) you only live once…
&
b) life is worth living…
Every. Single. Second. 🧡💪🏻
… So, I bought the boots, lit the candle, am drinking the wine & am enjoying the chocolate… because - why not… tomorrow may never come!
#HappySaturday
Who said that Friday afternoon was the graveyard slot...??... 🤷🏼♀️
Feeling rather proud of my Year 2’s & their peacock feather observational drawings... especially considering it was their first time using oil pastels too!! 🧡🥰
I’d heard rumours that you’d never really had a hot chocolate until you’d had a
@HotelChocolat
hot chocolate…
The scientist in me NEEDED to investigate…
I present you with a festive salted caramel & clementine hot chocolate.
It was fun to tackle! 😝
fyi - THE RUMOUR IS TRUE!
School experiences on a budget…
Took my class on a plane journey today (some of them have never been in any vehicle, so absolutely loved the “wows, oohs & aahs” they exclaimed).
Apparently the best bit was the “cabin crew” talking about emergency exits & giving out the snacks!
It was a bit chilly out there first thing this morning - it’s not often you see frost on the sand - but worth having cold feet to catch the sunrise.
#SundaySunrise
#EasyLikeSundayMorning
🚗
#StuffInACar
Tetris at its finest.
👩🏼🏫 20 years of teaching in a Polo!
Today was the end of an era & goodbyes were said to a school & community I’ve been part of for 14 years.
Looking forward to many sunrises after this sunset in new pastures. 🌅
#TeacherLife
#TeacherStuff
About to become completely broke - walking through town to buy school shoes, next-size-up uniform & sports gear, but my heart skipped a beat when my forever growing tween boy reached for my hand. 🥰🧡🤗
(I know I probably won’t have many more of these - so am just relishing it.)
Well that was a nice surprise… 🤗🧡
The lovely
@MrEFinch
had a day’s supply in Somerset & popped in to my room at lunchtime & after school for a hug & a chin wag… & maybe a bit of 🍫 was consumed too. 🤭
Love Is…
.. When your TA has a slice of toast & a caramel latte ready on your desk for when you arrive because she’s working a breakfast club shift. 🥰🤗
I am an adult.
I have my own children; a teen & tween.
My mum still buys me a white chocolate Easter Egg… because I used to love them when I was a child! 🐣🥚🍫
Couldn’t sleep, so there was only one thing to do - take a quick trip to the coast to catch the sunrise of course!
Absolutely stunning - but a tad chilly.
Lovely cool blue hues as autumn ebbs away & winter rolls in. 💙🌊🩵
Now need to thaw-out with a coffee.
#VitaminSea
#notice
Post covid return day 1 & made it to the end of the day. 💪🏻
Left school before 4 totally shattered & with a cracking headache but feeling better for having a power nap.
LOVE the joy my class have for our class reading time & never tire of their groans when we have to stop! 🤗📚
Friday night & heading out.
Been looking forward to this for AGES!
Not often attempting glam & have Cinderella heels in play, but trying to pull out all the stops. 🤞🏻💋👗👠
Thank you
#WomanCavers
for your support.
Proud of my Yr2’s 1st attempt at observational drawing focusing on shading & texture using a regular pencil. The buzz in the room was 💥- they were SO focused you could hear a pin drop & can’t wait to do it again-to be even better.
@hazelmpinner
@amandarussell35
@9teaNinePercent
Bribed the tribe with the promise of a MaccyD’s breakfast AND extra pocket money on the proviso they help me sort out my classroom (operation KS2 to Yr1 conversion)… as you can see - it’s going well!! 🥴🙈
#TeacherLife
#KS1Teacher
#MotherOfTeens
Last week’s observational drawing used a graphite pencil; today we focused on colour & used oil pastels. Absolutely love the excitement, joy, focus & skill of my
#Year2
’s who were buzzing that other teachers & “real artists” had seen their work!
@hazelmpinner
@9teaNinePercent
Living life for the now…
… decided to catch a beach sunset instead of sorting classroom resources at home.
It looks warm - but was jolly chilly!
Love how the black & white pics could pass for the moon & not the sun.
#teacher5aday
#notice
#wellbeing
#VitaminSea
#MakeItCount
September for me is the start of the year more than January. (Wonder if that’s a teacher thing? 🤔)
In Education we hit the ground hard & fast to embrace the 🎢 ride of our vocation - but to do this, it’s imperative to include some
#SeptemberSelfCare
Happy New School Year!
Autumn 2, Day 3, Parents Evening 2…
Our Deputy blocked-out the same 20 minutes in all of our parents evening slots tonight & brought us pizza to share & scoff & see us through the next couple of hours. 🤗🍕
Beach etiquette IS a thing right…? 🤔🌊
In all my beaching decades the unspoken rule is that new arrivals to the beach should NOT park “on top of” unknown people already there, & AT LEAST a few METERS is required between their stuff & your kit - NOT 15cm! 😬😳
#MoveOverDarling
Had an absolutely great day in my new school. Already recon I’ll rumble along well with like-minded colleagues, but boy-it’s only the end of INSET 1 (we have another tomorrow), & already my brain hurts & I need to retrain my stomach & bladder - anyone else the same?
#TeacherLife
It’s the 1st Monday in October, half way through the half term, & self-care could not be much more important.
… A time to think, reflect, chose & act… reconnect with your organic & dynamic self, be not do, & LIVE!
#reflect
#connect
#notice
#learn
Things I have said today…
🤔 Why are you eating her hair?
🫧 Don’t drink the soap!
🧠 No you can’t see a person’s brain when you look up their nose.
👃🏻 Did I just see you sniffing the wall?
👅 Are you really licking the mud off the bottom of your shoe?
#KS1Teacher
#TeacherLife
Marking… completed. ☑️
Classroom… tidied. ☑️
Take-away… ordered. ☑️
Current status; at the hairdressers for the usual half term haircut;… apparently get a complimentary glass of pink fizz because ‘it’s the season’… 🤷🏼♀️😳… I’m LOVING the season! 😁🥂🍂
Happy Half Term folks!
Oh dear…
… in other news…
I “think” I “need” these… 🤔😘😂😂
I know I don’t “need” them - I WANT them!
(consciously telling myself I have enough heels 👠 - I have nude, black, silver, gold, purple, mustard & animal print) 🫨🙈
… but a short girl has to have options right?!
Happy Birthday to me… 🙈😩
… this gift from Corona is one I really didn’t want to receive. (Dodged the bullet for 2 years, & now taking the hit.)
#CovidIsNotOver
Suddenly a Friday evening appointment at the hairdresser’s (because as a teachers that’s pretty much the only appointment you can make) is looking up! 😉🥂😝
For the first time in 20+ years, January is “a tad different” for me this year.
I am practicing what I preach; that self-care is NOT selfish, but self-preservation!
My 1st mentor once said; “Be bold, Be brave & Be radical.”
It’s scary, it’s strange, but
#IAmEnough
@Toriaclaire
It’s been over 5 weeks since I got hit by THE most awful chest lurgie & FINALLY feel well enough to attempt a run & be on top of my asthma.
I KNOW this isn’t going to be pretty - but here goes… 🏃🏼♀️🥴
Thanks to the running crew for their dedication & who’ve kept me motivated.
Happy 1st of November!
It’s approaching (another) busy time of year - but self-care is not selfish… it’s essential!
Attempting a few of these this month;
☕️🍄 🍁🎁☂️🔥🌱🪵🧣🌽🕯️🎃🍂
When your tall friend wears flats because she knows she’s seeing her short friend, & you wear heels because you know you’re seeing your tall friend… & you STILL have to stand on your toes. 😂👠🥿
@pennywpennyw
Things that have been said to me today…
“I only have 17 girlfriends.”
“Dogs are better lickers than cats.”
“I want to make my bottom pops smell of candyfloss.”
“I don’t want to be a donkey I want to be a camel humping”.
“You’re as pretty as a rainbow.”
#KS1Teacher
#TeacherLife
6pm on a Friday night & it’s the SATS year group teachers who are booted out of school as the last ones here. 🤦🏼♀️🥴
In other news… it’s 6pm on a Friday at the start of March - & IT’S STILL LIGHT! 🧡🥰🎉
#GrowYourGratitude
It’s not everyday a ‘lil
#Year2
chap runs back to school in the freezing cold to ask you to marry him & presents you with a ring… 💍
(Apparently “it’s a bit like my other rings ‘coz it lights up & sparkles & everything” & I can let him know tomorrow if I’m going to say “yes”!)
Didn’t quite plan on this happening today… don’t think you ever plan on having to swerve to avoid a child running out in the road after a ⚽️.
Tyre: 0
Central reservation: 1
Child - absolutely fine.
Grateful for reflexes & knowing how to change a tyre on my own! 💪🏻🛞
#ThisGirlCan
Feeling loved... a parent sent their child into school today with these “keep going to 3.15pm supplies”... (chocolate brownie, new mug, caramel latte sachets & a really beautiful message in a card - which nearly made me cry.) 🥰
#lastdayofterm
#onmyknees
#KindnessMatters
Today is half way through the year; We’re 182 days into 2023 & there’s 182 days until 2024.
No special moon, equinox or solstice marks this occasion, but it is a good time to think & reflect; to live, love & be you, for now, for ever.
#YouAreEnough
#MakeItCount
#GrowYourGratitude
Sunday morning musings… 🤔…
The past can hold us back, & the future can seem huge, unknown & scary, but over time I’ve realised that although life can feel like a limbo - something is always happening “in the now” that can be relished, cherished & built upon.
Thoughts…
Love is…
When your TA brings you a hot drink, much needed cocoa supplies & a love note half way through a 3 hour Teams meeting on ARA after she sees you sat freezing in a cold, quiet corner of school. 🤗🧡😂
#TeamYear2
Arrived!
🏫 At my new school & SO excited!!
👫 Very much a blank canvas to turn it from a KS2 to a Yr1 room.
🧼 Starting with a “bit” of a sort-out & clean… might be here a while.
🌳 Loving the outlook!
#NewBeginnings
#SchoolHolidays
Oh. My. Word… 😳
I look-in on my tween son as I head towards my bed… apparently he tidied his room earlier this evening before he turned-in… 🤔 … presenting to you the concept of
#TweenTidy
🙈🤷🏼♀️😂
Arrived just as the light was fading & the surfers were leaving the water with the diminishing waves… 🌊🧡🏄♂️
…now leaving an almost millpond of an ocean in the a dark after THE most intoxicating winter-spring cusp sunset you can imagine.
#Somerset
#SomersetSunset
#SomersetLife
You can’t beat dancing on the beach (even if you end up looking like a wild, windswept West Country woman during & afterwards), but as they say; Dance like nobody’s watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, & live like it's heaven on earth.
There’s suddenly a man in the house…
My darling boy…
My baba boy…
My (somehow-but-not-quite-sure-how) teen boy’s voice is breaking!
He will forever be my baby - but he has strong roots & is growing his wings.
However, at present - I’m still taller than him-JUST! 💪🏻
#MumOfaABoy
Late submission to
#duvetknowitschristmas
Boxing Day =
#SecondChristmas
(for mum’s birthday) & I’m on the couch in her open plan flat, under my childhood bedding, serenaded by the dulcet tones of the dishwasher, seagulls, & accompanying aromas of ham being slow-cooked in coke.
Just turned 4pm on bank holiday Friday & spent 6 hours in my new classroom cleaning & clearing it & attempting to turn it into an R/1 room from a Yr5 room…
🤔 It’s not too early to have a glass of something chilled & refreshing is it?
Erm… just answered my own question. 😘🤭
SUCH a magical day… the sun has shone, a large dose of
#VitaminSea
has been consumed, cheeks are sun-kissed, & sand has hugged my toes. 🥰🐚🌊
HAD to share the light!… seeing it dancing on the waves was absolutely mesmerising, & who doesn’t love a home-made sundial?!
#SoulFood
One of us is really excited about going for a walk on the beach… & one of us is simply loving life being awake, up & out of bed before midday.
🤔 Can’t for the life of me think which one is which…
#ChristmasEve
#MamaOfTeens
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, a day that celebrates love - & not just romantic love! 🧡
It’s a day to remember ALL the love in your life, for & from friends & family, but most importantly; yourself.
YOU are special, unique, wonderful & worthy of love
#JustAsYouAre
🥰
#YouAreEnough
This is how we celebrate your ECT reaching it, & acing it, to the half way point of their ECT programme in the SW!
… & there was absolutely NO competitiveness involved what so ever! 🥴🫢😉😂
@Longshanksepg
#SpreadingTheBonkersness
Feeling naughty…
Heading out to a 60th Wedding Anniversary gathering (on a school night… & yes the host is a teacher on holiday & I’m not teaching at the moment)… but loving that life is for living, & I’m living it.
Awake early, so decided to catch the sunrise…
Rather a cloudy start this morning (🙄 typical) but managed to avoid the showers that fortunately stayed out in the bay. Was rewarded however, with the most enormous & stunning rainbow! 🥰
Now time for coffee!! ☕️