Hey, friend! (Yeah, if you’re reading this – we’re friends). Thanks for stopping by. My name is Halee and I’m a new(ish) teacher trying my best to highlight the real. I love to drink coffee, teach all the things, be creative, and connect on Instagram.
I graduated from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame (Go Belles!) in 2017 with a degree in Elementary Education and a Reading endorsement and I have my masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I taught 5th graders during my first year (who only remembered how great nacho cheese was during our baseball field trip), moved to my dream grade in 3rd for two years, and then I totally uprooted my life, changed jobs, moved states, and switched grades AGAIN in the middle of a pandemic. Now I teach 1st grade. I’m totally fine, everything is fine.
But, I’m more than a teacher and you are too, so let’s get to the fun stuff. I live with my super cute (and slightly crazy) pup in Iowa. I know the lyrics to every Taylor Swift song – try me. I love the show Friends. Ice cream is my favorite food. I actually don’t even like lattes (iced coffee please!), but I do love a good pun. Pink is my favorite color and the mountains (in Colorado!) are my favorite place to go.
I don’t know if I’ll teach forever. This job stresses me out and drains me until there’s not a lot left. I fight really hard to take care of me and put myself first because what they say is true – you can’t pour from an empty cup. It’s not beautiful or picture perfect every day. I struggle immensely with anxiety and depression at times and I’m pretty open about that over on a little Instagram page…that’s not so little anymore.
During my first year of teaching, I started an Instagram account for my classroom to connect with other educators. In addition to being inspired and encouraged every day, I found friends and mentors, and more support than I ever could’ve imagined.
Teaching is tough. Like…really tough. I learned more during my first year of teaching than I did during all four years of school combined. I like to share my story…the good and the bad, and hopefully encourage or inspire even one person along the way. That’s what makes this all worth it.
I hope you’ll stick around and grab some coffee, I have a latte to say.
