Clickable header: This is a test

TMEA 2016

Are you going?

I'm not....long, boring story, but I will be making an appearance of sorts! You've got to love technology! Wait, that sounds sarcastic and though I'm known for a bit of that here and there, I'm not kidding! Of course I really do love technology! Just read more about me if you're not familiar with me yet. :)

So I am looking forward to the conference this week all the same. I will be supporting my favorite PLN members as they present on Thursday. More details coming soon if you'd like to know where to catch some great sessions!

#OneWord

The trending # on Twitter with educators right now is #oneword, as in, what is your #oneword that will shape or encourage you this year?

I've seen a lot of great ones so far.....from dream to believe to courage. It's easy to imagine what those words may invoke for someone. While I would love to use one of those inspiring words, I am going to take it back to the basics and go with something simple.

My #oneword is live.

No, I'm not talking in a physical sense.....I'm not sick or dying! Nothing like that. It's been a rough year and I've been through quite a bit in the last 12+ months......I feel like I barely made it through. I've had a lot of challenges that I'm still not over and done with, and I want 2016 to be a year where I start living and not just surviving. (And admittedly, I've been listening to waaaaaaay too much Adele. What a powerful line......if you don't know what I'm talking about, listen to her entire album NOW.) 

So while I'd love to say create, inspire, dream, hope.....my #oneword is just live. Live life and enjoy and appreciate the little things. Find myself and live a life of happiness rather than what ifs. Remember why I got into education and rediscover my purpose. We all have one and mine is here screaming to get out from behind the wall of a tough year. 

Happy 2016, everyone. 

In this music classroom....

I think we've all seen the popular printables about "In this classroom..." stating the expectations of the classroom or characteristics of the students. I changed it up a little bit, played around a bit in Photoshop and came up with this one:

Click here to download a full size copy.

I had it in one of my favorite color combinations (aqua, red and white) and it ended up looking patriotic....so I switched the colors around. Now it's a bit Dr. Seuss? I don't know. If you like it, feel free to download and use it! If you like it but want a copy in your school colors or classroom colors, contact me on Twitter @KellyParrish605 or leave me a comment.

If you think there is a very important adjective that describes the music-makers in your music class, let me know! There's always room for improvement.