Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections | 0 Comments

Part-time Woes

I have always loved the fact that I work part-time. I love the flexibility it gives me in terms of managing my schedule and allowing me to do many other things that I love, such as go to yoga, have my “me days” and just take it easy over the weekends. However, every once in a while I am reminded of the little hassles that come with a part-time position, especially now that it’s tax season and that the school year is ending. Yes, granted it’s not that hard to do, it’s still a hassle, right? Haha. Also, being in a part-time position means I have to do a lot of extra paperwork for application of, let’s say, medicare supplement plans. Unlike full time employees, it doesn’t come automatically, I have to file for it. To be fair, however, I get to enjoy the benefit as well, although not completely subsidized. Then again, it’s a small price to pay for all the other things I get to enjoy given my part-time position right?

Okay…I will stop complaining now and get back to work See ya peeps.

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Posted by Teacher Ria in Arts and Crafts, Classroom Escapades, Teacher's Corner | 0 Comments

Creating Keepsakes and Cherishing Memories

It’s been almost a week since I hung up the Teacher Ria hat that I wore for almost twelve years. It was so bittersweet to close the door on a career that I had (and continue to, in fact) loved very much. For all intents and purposes, being a preschool teacher was really what allowed me to feel most free, deeply loved and full of joy. To this day I question if it was the right decision, but I believe deep down inside that despite the fear and uncertainty, there is a whole new world of learning, living and loving for me to explore.

It was so timely, I should say, that I was invited to Hallmark/All About Scrapbooking Scrap and Tell Blogger event last Sunday at the Filstar head office in Pasig. It was the perfect ending to my preschool teaching life.

To be honest, I tried to get out of going to the event because I was feeling very nostalgic and sentimental (sige na nga, sad na rin) about having had to say goodbye to being Teacher Ria and I just wanted to spend the day in my room moping and grieving this loss (yes, I think it’s still important to honor that, right?). However, my friend Jeman convinced me —errr coerced should I say! haha — me to come and so I did. Armed with several photos of my days as Teacher Ria, I headed off to the event.

Before the event, the days hosts gave us a brief introduction to what scrapbooking is, and explained the different techniques and procedures involved in the craft. They also showed us all the equipment available for the art of scrapbooking, and although this was nothing new to me, I couldn’t help but still be amazed at how much I still didn’t know about it!

After the demonstration and discussion, we were given our own kits to create our own keepsakes

photo taken by Jeman

Like I said, I thought I already knew how to scrapbook well enough, especially since this is something we often do in the preschool. I learned, however, that I can do so much more, such as how to create more nostalgic effects by rubbing sand paper on the colored sheets of paper to make it look old and frayed. An interesting bit of trivia I learned from the event was when you tear paper towards you, it gives you that “torn” texture to the page that is left behind but if you tear it away from you, it comes out more smooth and does not leave marks on it. Never knew that before!!! Haha.

Suffice it to say the event shoo-d away my sadness about leaving my job and left me with a happier sense of reminiscing the twelve years I spent with so many children, all of whom taught me the essentials in life. I think this says it all:

to love with no questions, to laugh with no fear, to try witout worries...all these i learned in kindergarten

Scrapbooking with Hallmark’s All about Scrapbooking line sure makes the craft so much easier. When I was first doing this for my students portfolios in the past, I had to cut out shapes individually, color them one by one and I wouldn’t have very nice materials for it. Now, it’s so much easier! The kits range from about Php 150-200 and the albums about Php 225. The stickers and accessories range from about Php 25-100, depending on the style, size and material. In my opinion,that’s quite affordable!

Although it may not be appropriate for very young children, kids of about age 7 and up can enjoy scrapbooking with mommies and daddies any time. This will be a fun way for them to create their own memories, not just with the photos they see but also with the journey they take while making these scrapbooks.

For me, that Sunday afternoon was well worth it, even though I got lost trying to find the venue! It made me cherish my time as Teacher Ria a little bit more and it gave me that sweet goodbye as I walk away from the preschool into the bigger world out there, knowing that anytime, I can take out that Scrap and Tell project I made and recall those days with fondness.

My Scrap and Tell Project as posted in the All About Scrapbooking Facebook Page

nicey, right? drop by All About Scrapbooking’s Facebook Page and Like my project!!!

Posted by Teacher Ria in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Random Dreams and Childhoood Wishes

Today’s random post is brought to you by Teacher Ria and funny things that happen in our psych classes…

A few days ago we watched the film 13 Going on 30 and it brought back lots of funny memories of the 80′s and 90′s…and of the days in which I was much, much younger and I had the weirdest ambitions in life. Like Jenna in the movie, I once dreamt of being a writer in a magazine, but unlike her, that wasn’t the only dream I had. Often, my choice of dream jobs were always related to the movies or shows that I liked best at that time. Once, I wanted to even become a nun or a nanny because of the movie The Sound of Music hehe. When My Girl was all the rage, I wanted to be a make-up artist like Shelley, or perhaps be a motor home repair specialist because of the fact that she had a trailer in that movie. I even wanted to become an ice skater because I had fallen in love with the movie The Cutting Edge.

However as I grew up, as we discussed in class, priorities change and you become more reality bound and sensible in aspirations. I realized that I did get the best job for me, and though today marks the end of my preschool teaching career, it will always, always be a part of me.

Sigh. Till the next random post.

♥,

Teacher Ria

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Posted by Teacher Ria in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Summer Fun at Playschool

With summer right around the corner, I bet many mommies and daddies out there are looking for fun and exciting things for their kids to do all summer. I remember that when I was a little girl, my mom would always find a summer activity for me, be it art classes, sports or theater.

This summer, Playschool will be hosting once again it’s SUMMER FUN program. The kids can expect a lot of fun and games and cool activities from water fun (um, that’s if the high pressure pumps and water services in the area do not have any interruptions or problems like last time!), nature walks and outdoor activities.

For inquiries call 823-5702

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Posted by Teacher Ria in Teacher's Corner | 0 Comments

Today’s Random Snappy: Psychic Rewards

Yes, I know I always say psychic rewards won’t pay the bills, but they sure can warm my heart Yesterday I picked up a letter from a dear friend and student. While he may have been my student in class, he definitely has taught me much, much more than I would have ever expected.