Twenty Years

Dear Periods 1 and 2 (and all of you who read),

Thank you for a beautiful ending to my 20th year in the classroom.  I couldn't have imagined a more perfect way to close out the year.  There's a ton I could say about the wonderful TED Talks from your classes or even the last go 'round of dancing, but I'll just say this:  Thank You.

When I stepped into my first classroom two decades ago (Room 109 at Fondren Middle School), I could never have imagined how much my "job" would hand me: relationships, connections, life lessons, opportunities, growth, failure, love.  Lots and lots of love.

Having grown up with very little in the way of stuff, my mother did her best to fill my sister and me up with self-worth, confidence, and love.  We shopped at discount stores, wore thrifted clothes (and it wasn't because we were trendy), ate free and reduced lunch.  We sweated with no A/C and shivered with no heat but through it all, she taught us that we had so much and thus had so much to give.

I hope that my efforts as your teacher this year gave you something - whether it be a test strategy or a strategy to navigate life.  Because life is hard but you still need to show up.

Much love and light to all of you.  Thank you for making Room 853 magical.

I am grateful.

Love and Light,
Beltran

P.S. - Goodbye dear blog.  You have served me well.  If any of you want to still "hear" from me remember that I can be found on Instagram (@beltranbooks) and at Mostly Love Now.  xoxo

To the Period 5 Family

Dear Lovelies,

It's 11 o'clock, I'm all alone in my classroom and you are off doing whatever it is you do.  I just wanted to quickly remind you that I appreciate each and every one of you, that I see you, and that you all matter to me.

Thank you for a heartbreakingly beautiful year.  You made each afternoon one to look forward to - from dancing to learning to just being. 

Thank you for seeing me too.

As I close, I want to wish you all the same wish.  May the wind forever be at your back and may the road ahead always rise up to meet you. 

I can't wait to see you change the world.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Goodbye

The first two goodbyes happened today...and there's one more to come.  But first, goodbye to the lovely periods 3 and 4.  It has been a pleasure learning from each and every single one of you.  Even if you didn't realize, I took a piece of wisdom from each of you.  Thank you especially to those of you who opened your hands.  It was an honor seeing you.

As for the third goodbye, this blog is ENDING. 

It began many years ago and became the source for the kiddos who embraced it.  But as of Wednesday, I will no longer be posting on the good ol' cluebus.  For some of you, that won't mean a darn thing because you never checked it anyway but for those of you who grew accustomed to stopping by, rest assured that the archives will remain.  I will just be using a new platform for my new students.

Anyone, however, can stay connected via my book recommendations on Instagram.  Find me at @beltranbooks. 

AND, for those of you who used to read it, Mostly Love Now is coming back.  I know!  I'm excited to open up my former personal writing blog again.  I will use it as a means of furthering my writing practice and "teaching" even though you are no longer in Room 853.  Follow along if you want.

Love and Light to you, Lovelies,
Beltran

Clear Eyes, Full Heart

Today was everything an end of the year Friday should be.

Thank you for that.

Here’s to one last day together. See periods 3 and 4 on Monday.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Day Four of TED Talks

Well, let’s see.

Period 1 rocked it as usual. Super shout outs to the ridiculously professional talks given. And y’all are best dressed as a class for sure.

Mad respect for the presenters in period 2 and 3. And to Thor for being Thor and the rest of period 4.

The boys made an appearance in period 5 - all of them slayed and we ended with some laughs and open hands.

Senior Awards tonight at 6:30. Special presenter = the eldest child.


Love and Light,
Beltran

PLEASE!!!!!

Please please please return my books. So many are missing and my heart hurts. PLEASE.

Magnificent

Today was really good. Fed brain and full soul.

Can’t wait for more.

Love and Light and the last few days,
Beltran

Day 2

I’m seeing some magic, y’all. And I love it.

Thanks to today’s presenters. Can’t wait for more tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

P.S. Some news headed your way...

Day 1

Dynamic.

Prepared.

Ownership.

I was mostly just impressed.

Good job to the Lovelies from today. And extra shouts to the flower in period 4.

Love and Light,
Beltran

P.S. - the book account on Instagram can be followed...@beltranbooks

The Story of Fear (and TED Talk Info)

There were only a few of you here today - not even enough lovelies to constitute an entire class.  The first thing I heard when I rose this morning was from the beloved who said he'd received a ton of emails.  (I went to bed early and watched clips of Ellen on youtube because she's all about kindness so I was not on my email or social media.)  At any rate, the hubby and I felt appreciated that so many students reached out to update us.  That appreciation quickly turned to sadness at the state of the society we live in when kids have to be afraid to go to school.

Kids are afraid to go to school.

Of course, some absentees likely used the information to enjoy a day off of school (and to enjoy the beautiful weather) but some - to be sure - were, in fact, afraid.

Fear.

That's a bit of a beast, isn't it?

As a minority woman, I know my share of fear.  In fact, it used to be the constant narrative of my life.  I was scared to try, to speak up, to go over there, to fail, to get the answer wrong, to mess up, to order something new off the menu.

Then I read a book (you knew that was coming) and a piece of it stuck to my heart.

I'll share it below and wish you a happy weekend.

(Oh, TED Talks start Monday.  If you are presenting BRING YOUR BLANK RUBRIC.  And, Period 3, y'all are a hot mess.  Anyone know why??)

Love and Light,
Beltran

"Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told.  I decided I was safe.  I was strong.  I was brave.  Nothing could vanquish me."  ~Cheryl Strayed, Wild

P.S. - Not going to lie, though.  I did wear sneakers today.  Just in case.