See-Ya Later, Second Graders!

I cannot believe how fast this last semester went. I started the semester counting down the days until April 25 and May 2, which are the dates for the end of internship and graduation. 
Somewhere in the middle of the last 16 weeks, I lost count of my countdown and started wishing for time to slow down. 
Every day I woke up excited to get to school and see their sweet faces. 
I know that as their student teacher, I was teaching them each and every day, but I learned so much from them too- things that you don't learn from a textbook or a college professor's lecture (sorry to any former professors reading this :-) ) I learned how to be patient, how to listen, how to address their individuality, and how to love and support them during their school day. 
Each and every one of them will always hold a special place in my heart as they are my "first" class. 

Group Hug!

On Friday, we had a little celebration. Our very generous room mom donated a pizza party, which included pizza, chips, drinks, and my favorite- Publix cookies :) I hope I have a room mom as great as her! My sweet supervising teacher organized the best gift I've ever received... A CHEVRON/BURLAP (my favorites) memo board full of gift cards to teacher-friendly places: Barnes & Noble, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Dunkin Donuts, etc. She knows me so well!

Funny how great minds think alike... Here was my gift card bouquet for her. A "how-to" post will follow for this:

"Thank you for helping me bloom!"

My supervising teacher, Mrs. C., is such a wonderful teacher and person. She is just one of those good people that you aspire to be like. I cannot thank her enough for her support and guidance, and for putting up with me and my quirks :-) She totally handed over her classroom to me and trusted me,  giving me the room to "bloom", and for that I will be eternally grateful.

We didn't say "goodbye" we said "see-ya later"... Who knows where I will end up teaching!

The "Teacher Toolbox"

I am a huge Pinterest-er (not sure how else to say it)... I mean I am like THE Pinterest Queen. I am so addicted, it's actually a problem. Phew! Now that that's off of my chest... I am sure you all have seen the DIY teacher toolbox. There are many versions of it, but basically it's a 18 or 22 drawer toolbox that is decorated and labeled for a teacher. I had pinned a few different examples of it for myself and my future classroom, but I decided to make one for my internship supervising teacher, Mrs. C. She has been so wonderful and I have learned so, so, SO much from her. I am really going to miss her and my second grade babes!  Here is how I made Mrs. C's teacher toolbox. I started with this 22 drawer plastic organizer from Lowes. I read that they  can be found elsewhere but it was only $17 at Lowes and I had a coupon!

To start, I took all of the drawers out and spray painted it a bright purple color. It's by Valspar and it's called "Purple Fury". 

love the color!

After that, I used a PowerPoint to edit Chevron labels and I used the font HelloDotStick to type up my labels. I borrowed ideas from other Pinterest users, but I tried to think of what items she had a lot of in her desk.

Using my $12 Scotch laminator. Thanks, Tar-gey! 

These letters were purchased at Michaels. I had to buy two packs to spell her name, but they were only $4 each and I had a coupon! I also purchased the scrapbooking stickers for some extra flair and used my hot glue gun to enforce them!

Drumroll please...

The final product:  

P.S: A lot of Pinteresters decided to stick the labels on the inside of the drawer using Mod Podge or double-sided tape. My wonderful boyfriend came up with the idea of using my laminator and putting them on the outside so the colors were brighter. He's so smart :-)
She loved her teacher toolbox and now I can't wait to make myself one!