Sprout Classrooms

I have been working since I was 13, detasseling corn for cash in the cornfields of Indiana. My Dutch & Midwestern genes mean I am incapable of slacking-if there is no work to be found, I will create it. And I work HARD. Admittedly, I obsess over my work. Whether it's teaching and creating an Instagram classroom, being an elementary principal and pulling 16 hour days, or starting businesses and putting vision into action overnight-I hit the pavement from sun-up to sun-down.

My most recent on-site job was as a Director of Communications and Public Relations for our local County Office of Education. I loved that job with every fiber of my being. I gave it my full attention, often to the detriment of my family and physical health. I parted ways with the position at the end of Sept. of 2022 and was completely devastated. When you invest your entire self into a career, it feels like you have lost your self-worth and purpose when you no longer have it to cling to. But God is good all the time and has brought me on an incredible journey of emotional and mental growth over the past 5 months.

When I was walking through the darkest days in November, my mom asked me 'What if I were to tell you that in a few months, you would be working on a project that makes you happier than you could ever imagine, with potential beyond your wildest dreams? God has that in store for you-you just have to trust.' At that point, I couldn't see it. I didn't have hope or the seed of inspiration. I couldn't imagine anything better than what I had. But I also knew that God had always been faithful to me and my family and that He had more in store for me.

The song Believe by Blessing Offor has been on frequent rotation on K-LOVE Radio lately and the lyrics really speak to this lesson.

"But what if You know something I don't?
What if You will something I won't?
If You don't give me what I want
But You give me what I need
Is that enough to...
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love?
Will I still
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love?"

I gave myself until after the holidays to pull it together. I sat down in January and asked myself-if I could do anything all day with complete joy, what would it be? The answer? Thrifting. 😂 I love thrift shopping for beautiful clothing!! And The Joyful Magpie was born, with the thought that I could turn my eye for great deals into cultivating fashion choices for other ladies who want beautiful clothes for cheap prices without having to hunt on their own. Especially clothes for teachers-I know what it takes to be comfortable AND professional in the classroom.

While I don't believe and trust in God simply because of His blessings and what He can do for me, His blessings and favor for The Joyful Magpie are evident every single day in a million different ways. From giving me constant inspiration for creative ideas, to helping me source the perfect pieces to put into the Closet, to bringing Magpies to the Closet for purchases-His fingerprints are all over this project.

I feel my mom's words in my heart every day when I get up to work on the day's tasks-this DOES make me happier than I could ever imagine. It DOES have potential beyond my wildest dreams. In fact, there are literally not enough hours in the day to put into action all the ideas I want to implement!

I know education is crazy tough right now. I have been on the front lines as a teacher during the pandemic and as a principal as we came back to campus after almost 2 years of virtual school (California). This professional has changed almost to the point of being unrecognizable in so many ways. I pray that wherever you are in life right now-whether you are in a job that brings you complete satisfaction as my Communications position did, or if you are struggling in your classroom/between opportunities and feeling despair like I was this fall, you know the future is bright. We are not promised a life of complete peace without strife or challenges. But we ARE promised a life of hope and endless opportunities.

If you are struggling, please always know you can reach out through the personal message tool-I am always here to listen, counsel, and empathize. I have walked through the fire and am here to remind you that when we Magpies feel the heat, we have other Magpies we can turn to for support!!!

Sending so much love to you all on this beautiful Thursday, all!!! We've got this!!!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Believe by Blessing Offor, Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SFT4ZWpZ20

I'll admit-while a great pair of jeans feels great, *I* feel great in a beautiful dress!!! I'm working on listing a pile of new gorgeous dresses that are super comfortable and perfect for wearing in the classroom, or for a night on the town! Check out https://poshmark.com/closet/thejoyfulmagpie to grab a few to dress up-or down!-while you teach the munchkins!!! ❤️ 👗 ❤️

I feel like we should all get a workout pass for the first Monday of Daylight Savings time... 😂 The good news is that if you grab workout clothes from our new Poshmark closet, you have full permission to lounge on the couch for a instead of a running marathon. 📺 Check out all our professional teaching pieces, personal loungewear pieces, and fun On The Town pieces at https://poshmark.com/closet/thejoyfulmagpie !

Ok-is it as cold where you are as it is here in Northern California?? This is a cold that is in my BONES! Also, recess duty in this cold is the worst. From one teacher to another-treat yourself to a new coat for the playground this week. We've got some gorgeous cream ones in the picture but many more styles in the Magpie Closet-stay tuned for other color wheel pictures to post soon!! (prices for these beauties start at just $15!!) https://poshmark.com/closet/thejoyfulmagpie

Happy Wednesday, teacher friends!!! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted on Facebook! 15 years ago, I started Sprout Classrooms as a way to recycle physical classroom materials from retiring teachers and get them back into the hands of teachers and students.

As I turned 41 this month, I craved returning to my creative outlet of giving new life to used items and launched The Joyful Magpie, a place where I send curated thrifted fashion to you for amazing prices, so you can feel stylish without the hassle of the hunt. I know intimately the daily struggle of balancing fashion and function in the classroom, so I’ll be sharing any great finds that I think would be especially fabulous for teachers.

I encourage you to follow my profile on Instagram and Facebook for new items, daily bits of encouragement, and connection.

Love you all, and can’t wait to send some lovely Magpie treasures to you in the near future!! ❤️❤️❤️

Poshmark Closet: poshmark.com/closet/thejoyfulmagpie
Instagram: instagram.com/thejoyfulmagpie

Why yes, I DID sniff out the Malibu Barbie Van on tour while in Michigan! And yes, I DID get a fabulous Malibu Barbie Tour embroidered denim jacket to rock while eagerly waiting for the movie to come out. And yes, I DO have my movie premiere outfit planned to wear when Anne, Laura and I go on opening night. So glad you asked!! 😂 🏄‍♀️ 🏝

Already dreaming of next year’s girl trip to Disney... it was gets me through days like Friday when 6 girls got in a cupcake fight at lunch. Mickey would never do that to me... Thanks for the gorgeous Little Mermaid ears, - your excellent service and speedy shipping made our outfits complete!! ❤️ 🏰 ❤️

So grateful to for the gorgeous Starbucks ears. We felt like celebrities all day with everyone stopping us and asking us where we got them. Definitely head over to their Etsy page if you are heading to the Park anytime soon-we were blown away by the quality and sparkle!!

I’ve always wanted to teach fractions with music and this amazing takeaway material from broke it down into a simple and fun activity!!

Selfie with our amazing table!!

BIIIIG b***y pic in front of the backdrop at our session this morning!

It has been forever since I’ve posted. This has been a heck of a school year. My toughest in 13 years. Behaviors are unbelievable. Four grad classes at a time are overwhelming. The inability to say no is catching up to me. I haven’t logged in to Instagram since August because I feel like I’m failing at teaching this year in every way and I couldn’t handle seeing all the amazing things happening in other rooms. But I just read an article about the movement and it really struck home. I’m not failing. My kids all showed growth on the fall diagnostic tests and running records. The STEAM program at our school that I’m in charge of is doing great and I was asked to present at the STEAM Symposium conference in LA. I’ll have my admin credential this spring with honors. And today I put my own kid in front of my students, taking the day off to watch his Thanksgiving play. It’s all going to be ok. This afternoon I’m letting myself rest and get lost in mindless tv. I’m going to enjoy this next week off, being human and finding love for myself again. Sending all self-doubting, overwhelmed, human teachers out there so much love. You are enough. ❤️