Today, As In Here: Right NOW

My favorite professor started off class the other morning this way:

"Dear teachers, I want to know what you are thankful for today. As in here: right now."

I was so impressed- what an astounding, empowering way to begin class. She shared that she was thankful for all of our faces.

I'll tell you what I am thankful for today, as in here: right now. I will have to admit, after a rough last few days because of varying circumstances, this was a challenge. But I'm glad I took the challenge...

-I'm thankful for my co-op teacher who supports me so much and who I work so well with. I'm really glad our partnership did not end when student teaching I ended a few weeks ago.

-I'm thankful for my first grade students. Teaching reading to them all morning and seeing their progress as they grow with each day.

-I'm thankful for books. I can't get enough of them. My favorite book being the Bible.

-I'm thankful for all of my friends. I know I gave 2 of my best friends credit last night, but I want to say I'm thankful for all of them! They all make positive differences in my life, especially when the rest of the world has walked out and left me in the dark.

-I'm thankful for the said professor. Don't think she knows what an impact she has had on me.

-I'm thankful for new ideas. I'm always willing to see how far a new idea can take me in my teaching and learning and development as an educator.

-I'm thankful for our volleyball team, who, this evening is supporting Breast Cancer. Since I have an amazing grandmother who kicked its butt and is now a thriving survivor, opportunities like this are so awesome.

-I'm thankful for my preschoolers. I guess I can't leave them out! Since I've only been with them a few hours so far, I don't know much about them, nor have I begun to build relationships with them, but I imagine they'll have a big impact on my future.

This list really helped. I want to know, though,...... What about you? What are you thankful today, as in here: right now?!