Back to School (already! The panic is setting in!)

I'm linking up with I {heart} Recess to share my back to school goals!  I am definitely a goal maker and a chronic list maker.  I literally have lists in each room of the house AND a notepad by my bed so I can jot things down and not worry about forgetting.  So, it's only fitting that I link up and share my back to school goals!

Personal:  I did it.  I went to spin for the first time. alone. and I didn't make a fool of myself!  I really did enjoy it and I want to make it a habit.  My goal is to make it to 2 classes a week...so we will see how good I do!

Organization:  I've been eyeing my file cabinet for ages and yet I keep just ignoring it, because I know it's going to be a pain to organize it.  My goal is to tackle the math portion.  I want to create separate files for each of the fifth grade common core standards so it's easy to pull for small groups.  Hopefully I can get this done before school starts.

Professional: I've been thinking about going back and getting my 6th year.  I have my masters in Reading and Language Arts, but lately I have been really drawn to math.  I think it would be really worthwhile to go back and learn some  math concepts that align with the CCSS.

Students: Each year I make it a goal to connect with each student about something.  Some are easier than others (I had a select mute last year, and that was really, really, reeeealllly hard) but not impossible.  Whether it's a sports team, favorite food, book, or love of the beach, I try to make each student feel special.

Motto: My grade level partner has this saying that has really stuck with me; "They only go through the fifth grade once."  I get to re-live it year after year, but for these kids, 187 (yes..187...) is it!  I try to keep that in the front of my mind when I feel out of it or am not having a great day.  I have these amazing kids in front of me and they are counting on me to make each and every day count.  That matters.

Also, coffee is essential.  I truly think I couldn't make it through my days without my cup of joe.

I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on getting in the "back-to-school" mindset.  Happy planning!