Episode 102: Nervous Nelly to Decisive Denise- How She Reclaimed Her Time, Energy, and Boundaries

You are going to LOVE Denise's story. How many of these things resonate with you!? If you're ready to reclaim YOUR time, YOUR energy, and YOUR peace, we invite you to join us in La Familia Loca PLC! 

Come join us for monthly inspiration, support, and community! We are READY for you! Click here for a letter to request funding!    Click here to join today!

Let's Connect!

My Blog
My YouTube
My Instagram
My Website
My TPT store
Join La Familia Loca PLC

Transcript:

Welcome!

Hello, hi, it's me, and welcome to my podcast. Before you listen, I want to remind you that the doors to La Familia Luca PLC are currently open. They are open until the 25th of August at midnight. I want to tell you this because I would love nothing more than to welcome you into our community this year, so you can experience the joy, the inspiration, and the incredible, engaging ideas that you get monthly that are actionable and small enough that you can start implementing them immediately, where you can grow as a teacher no matter where you are in your world language teaching journey. I would absolutely love to welcome you, and I am confident that our members across the world would too. Just click the link in the show notes and come on in. It's going to be an incredible year. I simply cannot wait. Welcome back to Teaching La Vida Loca, the podcast you come to for short and sweet and sometimes spicy episodes full of enthusiasm, magic, and tips and tricks for your classroom. I'm Annabelle, your maestra loca, and I'm here to bring you inspiration, unapologetic authenticity, and ideas to spark more joy in your teaching journey. I'm turning up the excitement and elated to have you right here with me. I'm not just your host. I'm your cheerleader, and I'm thrilled you're tuning in. So let's do this. Let's tackle teaching La Vida Loca together.

It’s Denise!

'Hello, and welcome back to Teaching La Vida Loca. It's me and it's you, and we have somebody with me today. It's Denise, and I'm so excited that she's willing to do this with me today and chat with me on the podcast. She actually listens to the podcast, which is great because sometimes I have people on who are like, "Yeah, I'll do it, but they haven't necessarily heard how I record or that they're short and sweet and unscripted. And so I am really grateful to have somebody who actually listens on. It's going to be a great morning. I will let Denise introduce herself and tell us where she is, what she teaches, how long she's been teaching, and also you should include your favorite thing to eat as a guilty pleasure. Okay. Okay. Ready? Go. Okay.

Denise  

My name my name is Denise. I've been teaching. I can't even believe I'm going into my 16th year. I teach on Long Island, which is an island off of New York. What else? I have started.

Annabelle  

Do you teach middle? Oh yes.

Denise  

So I teach middle school and high school. I started at the high school, then went to the middle school, and then just recently now I'm split between the two. Let's see, guilty pleasure, anything sweet. I love having flan, tres leches. Recently, I just discovered I love Rice Krispie treats, which is a problem. That's a problem. But yeah, that's me a little.

Annabelle  

I was I was just sharing with my daughter that she was asking like, what were your pregnant like foods like when you were pregnant? What did you eat? And I said, well, with Memphis, I ate like six of those. What are those little uncrustable sandwiches that they stuff with peanut butter and jelly, and at least seven Rice Krispie treats a day. Like it was so bad. I was. It was yeah. Rice. I love Rice Krispie treats so much. 

Denise  

And chocolate chip cookies. I mean, those are like

Annabelle  

yeah,

Annabelle  

all the time

Denise  

yeah, so

Denise  

comfort food. Do

Annabelle  

you bake? Do you bake that? I

Denise  

love to bake. That's the thing. I don't love cooking, but I love to bake.

Annabelle  

I love that. Okay, so Denise is joining me today to tell us a little bit about her journey into discovering Familia Loca because I I asked Denise to do this with me because she's somebody that I have been chatting with on Instagram for years for like a long time and I always knew she'd be a great fit but she it took a long time for her to decide that she wanted to be part of La Familia Loca PLC, and so I thought it'd be really interesting to talk to her about her before, like on the cusp and after journey of La Familia Loca, and so we're just gonna ask her a few questions today, and I'm so stinking excited to to hear about it myself. I know a little bit, but I'm excited for you to share for everyone else. So, thank you for doing this with me. Of course. Okay. So to start, I want you to think back to your time pre PLC, prefamilia loca. What did it feel like in your classroom? How were you feeling driving to school every day? That sort.

Denise  

Yeah, so I think it's important that I mention my journey a little bit, where I started, and then like where I ended up right before joining. I right out of college started in the school I was student teaching in, and I was very lucky. I spent five years there, loved it there. Big department, lots of legacy teaching, but like still, I legacy taught. But then, had ideas on things I wanted to try. Anyways, due to budget cuts, I had to leave that district, and I landed in a second district, and they gave me full autonomy. So that is where I was able to play because I was a department of one. Eventually, became a department of two. But they were just like, "You're the professional. Tell us what you need. And so I went on a conference, and then I would look into I looked into Martina Bex's solmos and things like that. But kind of doing it on my own, which was overwhelming because I have a family, I was building my family and whatnot. And the other thing was that I was super far away from home, so I would spend 45 minutes to an hour in the car, and I was just very unhappy with that commute. Being that I had three littles in school, I felt like I was torn between: Do I be there for my family? Do I be there for my students? How can I be there for both? And so that led me to jump last summer and look at districts closer to my home, and then I landed in my current district. It is a magical place, super collaborative. The people there are great. The teachers are happy, but then again, I felt like I was a brand new teacher again, and I don't have complete autonomy because now I'm back in a department. As amazing as the department is, you know, we still have to like align ourselves, and there's different things that come with a department that I didn't have before, so that's where I started last year, and then I was back at the high school, and I hadn't taught high school for like 10 years at that point, nine to 10 years. So I felt like I didn't know what I was doing at the high school.

Annabelle  

Yeah,

Denise  

and so I spent, you know, I would research at home and how do I level up these middle school CI ADI lessons and how do I do that, you know, when my department is anchored to a textbook, not necessarily using a textbook, but anchoring to those lists and that. Sure, sure, sure. So how do I combine that? And so it was about March again. New district, new people, new systems, and March came along, and the dreaded March. I don't know. Oof! It's there's no breaks. It's long. It's dreary. I'm on Long Island. It's wintery. There's no ends in sight, And I kept hitting the button on your Instagram. Like I am interested. I've been interested for 15 years, but I always felt like I was like a little like fly on the wall. Like I want to see, but I'm scared. I want to see, but I'm scared. And then you. you know, I I just felt like I needed something to invigorate me. I I very much felt like I was very comfortable and almost getting to the point where I felt stale because I just was doing the same thing over and over. And then this was the opportunity for me, like new district, new curriculum, new everything. I'm like, this is when I need like some oomph. 

Annabelle  

Yes, yes, yes, yes. I love all of it, and I think it's really important to speak to that March month. Like that was your okay. That was the period that you were like, okay, I can't do this anymore. I need to feel inspired again and invigorated and all of that. So I love that. It's so interesting because you mentioned a couple different moments when you were talking about feeling isolated, because what some people don't realize, especially people who have been in a department for a really, really long time, and that department is like great and cohesive and aligned and all these things, that there's two different types of alone. There is the I am alone. I am the only language teacher in my school. I I have total autonomy, which is not common. That's so amazing that you had that, and that can feel isolating even with the autonomy because you don't have people to like bounce ideas off of or collaborate with or whatever, and. It can feel incredibly isolating to be part of a department when you're new or when you're not aligned. Maybe there are people listening who you know have been in a department for a long time, and they just kind of operate all in silos because they you know they might have this textbook anchor or some sort of anchor, but they do it all differently. And it sounds like you at least have a department who's you know willing to work together, and you will build that like community. But it can feel really challenging.

Denise  

Not to mention too that sometimes like we don't have time off together during the day, either. So it's we're conducting, you know, we're emailing or we're texting, and how how many times can I reach out to a coworker outside of work without it being like, okay, right now, girl, you know,

Annabelle  

right. My even at my current school, I'm so lucky because there we so many of us are super on the same track and same mindset, and in fact, really eager and excited to share with each other. But we have a department meeting once every like six weeks, and it's only an hour. Like, what you gonna do? What you gonna do after updates and like trying to you know connect, and then outside of that, Teresa and I didn't have one planning period together last year, and the only time we met was like every other Monday for a half hour to eat lunch together because that was our out to lunch. Like we didn't have to eat lunch with the kids, and that was because we really advocated to have it together, and so like, but 30 minutes once every two weeks-it's-it's like bonkers. What can you What can you do? And so, it can feel isolating, even when you're on a team,

Denise  

even when the team is amazing. Yeah,

Annabelle  

even when the team is amazing, it can feel like oh I just wish I could talk about this amazing lesson that I just had and I won't have a chance for two weeks and by then my energy won't be as like you know it can feel isolating. Okay, so I'm going to ask you when you were in those stages of like clicking button, like I am here, Annabelle, and I am interested for so long. What was the thing that was like holding you back? If you were feeling like isolated or whatever you were feeling, was it your was it time, money? Was it feeling like you were too overwhelmed to add one more thing? You mentioned like, you know, being nervous or not really knowing. I'm just curious, what was the the thing that was keeping you on that fence?

Denise  

Yeah, I think multiple things. The biggest was I was like, with what time, girl? Like, with what time? You have three kids. You're running around like crazy. At that point, I had a long commute, so I'm like, when am I going to take this time away and do this? I already feel overwhelmed. So time was a big thing. Like, how am I going to fit this in? And then, you know, financially, you're like, do I? So many times, teachers put in their own money for things, and I'm one of those people that I see things on Amazon. I'm like, "This is going to be great! I'm going to order it. And then you don't realize how much that adds up. So it's you know time, I think, and money really kept me on the fence. And then I'm always like afraid of the unknown, like the fact that I jumped into a new district shocked my entire family because I am type A. I have a plan. I want to know the X, Y, Z. Like I want all. So that was also very scary.

Annabelle  

I am so glad you named three different things because it's it is all of that. It's not just one thing for people, and I think that I'm really curious. I'm not going to ask you right now, but I'm curious about those things after the fact, and I'll ask you about that. But was there a specific moment in that March month that you were like, "I'm just gonna do it. Like, what was there a specific moment, or did you just one night say, you know what? Okay, let's go.

Denise  

So it was the night you invited non-familia members to join the familia workshop. I think it was a group. It was a coaching or like a work time, community work time, and when I joined, I was like, first of all, I was a nervous wreck because I'm like, oh my goodness, I'm not a member, and I'm going to be like again now. I went from the DMs to now I'm. In the actual class, but I sat there and I just listened, and then you put us into groups, and then we were talking to each other, and the the chat on the side. I think I was most fascinated by the chat on the side, by everyone like jumping in and sharing ideas or a question would come up in the chat, and that you don't always answer them. All the familia members answer them, and then they're posting links. And I was like, "Wow! I immediately joined as soon as we logged off. Like I took out my card, I went to the link, and I think that was the moment where I was like, "I need this.

Annabelle  

I love that so much. I love that so much. I didn't know that. Do you realize? Viviana asked. Viviana asked if I I didn't know that that was the reason why. Viviana asked last weekend when we were working together. Do you know if it that worked for anybody? If it actually converted, and I was like, I literally don't know, and I don't know if there's a way for me to know. So I love that I just found out on the podcast that that was it. I love it. and I think that that that feeling that we get. So when you said we went into groups, for those of you who don't know, we during our community work time it happens after the workshop of the month, and we split into groups based on what we teach elementary, middle, or high school, and even though there's different languages taught, that work time is really unique and special because no matter what time of the year it is, we are noticing the same trends with our middle schoolers. We are noticing the same trends with our high schoolers, and so members choose where they want to go to collaborate, and then it's it is wild. And she's not talking about the chat during just those groups. The chat happens during the workshop because I constantly have guests of the month saying, "Your son's voice is so cute. He's so sweet. I constantly have guests of the month who say your group does not stop talking in the chat. Your group just talks the whole time I'm there. They they are so involved. They are so engaged. Your group is constantly sharing other ideas or other connections in the chat, other resources, and it's because we're so excited to collaborate, right? And to and to to make sure that everybody is walking away with stuff. And you're right, I can't get to every single question because y'all are so engaged. But I love that you're taking care of each other, which is which is beautiful. Okay, so when once you were a member, was there a moment on the inside, a first moment that you were like, "Oh my God, thank goodness that I did this. I'm already feeling grateful that I've made this choice. Was it like a specific event was it a resource? So

Denise  

I love the app. I encountered the app, opened up the app, and I sort of listened to it like a podcast. And I was like, okay, I'm just gonna look at because when you had opened it up, I had access to the previous summer's conference, so I opened it up. I looked at like some titles. I'm like, I'm just gonna listen. I'm just gonna listen and see. This was before I ended up joining like a live, and I was just amazed because every video. First of all, I listen to it on like 1.5 speed, so you don't have to. So I I get through them a little quicker, and after I listened to one, I don't remember which one was the first one I listened to, but after I listened to one, I was like, I need another one, and I need another one, and it was like every drive I was like eating these things up, and it was the thing I needed to be like, oh my gosh, yes, this is exciting, this is fun, oh my God! This idea, all these things that I-I don't know. It was just like, it was eye-opening, like just clicking and listening and just like going through, and and it was very satisfying. Hat clicking like the completed also on the M.

Annabelle  

I am obsessed with your energy shift. You can literally hear in your voice how your energy shifted and how, like, how it brought you. The lesson look-ins too. The lesson look-ins. Oh my gosh! 

Annabelle  

Oh my gosh!

Denise  

I watched the first one. I think it was with Minnette, and she teaches elementary school, a middle school, high school, and I was just fascinated.

Annabelle  

It's so good,

Denise  

incredible.

Annabelle  

She is incredible. The lesson look-ins are my new favorite thing we've been doing. So we started lesson look-ins last year. For those of you who don't know what that is, and it's literally what you think it is. It is us peeking in on each other's lessons and. No, it's not everybody. It's whoever wants to submit a video of them teaching, and we watch it and then debrief it, and we're always like, "Oh my gosh, that was so good, because it's just like if you don't have time to get into classrooms of people on your campus, this is the the ability to sit in classrooms all around the world and see what people are doing in their language classrooms, and it could be a poster that you take away. It could be for me. I was obsessed with Manette's entry routine. Like I was like, holy cow! I could watch this 10 times just to watch her entry routine and all of the things that are happening in her entry routine. You know what I mean? So I love that so much. That is so great. Okay, so now let's go back to the you were worried about time. Very worried about time, which is real. We are both moms of children with very busy schedules, right? Okay, so you said time, money, because you have to pay for it yourself, and it is a chunk of money that it's an investment, right? It's an investment, and then and you also said just the unknown. So the unknown was was eased as soon as you went to that initial invitation, and then consumed on the app, like listening in your car.

Denise  

Yes, but

Annabelle  

how was time and money alleviated for you? What did that feel like

Denise  

before? It almost saves me time, and I'll explain what I mean by that. Because before, I was floundering a little bit on my prep period. I would spend a lot of time looking for things. So before, I felt like I was floundering with Timewise because I was spending all the time looking up things, and I would doom scroll on Instagram like, "What can I find? What can I do? And now that I'm part of La Familia Loca, I have designated times to think about those things, I have, and that I can join if it if it fits my schedule, or I can just listen to the recording after if if that fits my schedule. I think it saved me time because before I didn't have the boundaries of when can I do what, and now I have like we get that monthly email with the dates, and I figure it out with my calendar. Which one can I go to? Which one do I want to listen to after? And so time didn't become an issue once I joined. I figured, you know, you figured out you can fit it in. And again, now I have designated times to think about work if I want to, or to professionally develop if I want to.

Annabelle  

I love that so much. It's like you're doing the work in these calls when you're listening, and it's not it's not consuming your plan and prep. Yeah, I love that so much. And money wise, did you you know because it's an investment. Do you feel like you have got return on your investment since March since joining?

Denise  

Yes, 100%

Annabelle  

Yeah, 

Denise  

I also think that was an accountability piece. It was like if I'm going to spend this money, then I better get something. Yeah,

Annabelle  

it's kind of like a gym membership, you know.

Denise  

Yes, yes, and it's like it's like when I tell my kids they want to try something. I'm like, okay, you know, it's a five week program. You're going to do those five weeks because I'm paying for the five weeks. After that, then you can decide, you know. Yeah. So it's very much that like I paid for it. I invested in myself, in my craft, and so I better get use out of it.

Annabelle  

Yeah, I love that. That is amazing. Okay, and then do you feel that? I mean, I can hear your voice, but I'm I'm very curious how Fridays at 330 feel when you are going home. Do you feel like there has been a shift since joining Familia Loca in your overall energy level, feeling when you're in the classroom, students feeling in the classroom, etc.

Denise  

Yes, I feel like, like I said, the excitement that I was getting from listening to the PDZ podcast or even joining live, transferred into the classroom. Because I'd even say to the kids, like, I just listened to this podcast, and I want to try this game, or I want to do a twist on it, or you know, normally we do it this way, but I learned what you know. So I share that with them, and they love that. And Fridays at 330. Oh my goodness! First of all, I make the bus to the bus stop now with my new district, so that brings so much joy to me, and then being able to just like, I don't know, let go of the work week.

Annabelle  

Oh, so good, girl!

Denise  

It just feels really good.

Annabelle  

I love it, and I love that you mentioned the word joy, and that your students have noticed it and seen it. You're being so good, but I have one more question. One more question, okay?

Denise  

One more question.

Denise  

One more. He's like, I get one more question.

Annabelle  

Okay, so if there were a person listening right now that was like you, Denise. That was like I consume everything my Asia Loka puts out on her podcast. I follow her Instagram. I watch her stories. I like her posts. I have thought about Familia Loka for a long time. If they're listening right now, somebody who's feeling overwhelmed, tired, wondering, like not knowing the unknown of familia loca, if it's worth it, if they have the time, if they have the money, etc. What would you say directly to them right now?

Denise  

I would say do it. I think you just have to take the jump and do it, and that's coming from someone who's a nervous Nellie on doing things, you know, out of the norm. But I say just go for it. I think my favorite part is that it can fit into my schedule how I see fit, as opposed to normal PD. We're told where to go, where to sit, what to listen to. This one you have a lot more control over, and then maybe La Maestra Loca will offer a look in. I think I think

Annabelle  

I should again, especially here and after it worked for you.

Denise  

Yes, for those people that are like me, that like you know admire you from afar. You are an amazing person, an amazing you know colleague. I feel like we could say, but it's scary.

Annabelle  

Yeah, it is. Yeah. Oh my gosh, you're the best. Thank you for doing this. Thank you to your son and your other kids for letting you do this. I know you have horseback riding in a little bit with your girls. I do.

Denise  

I'm so excited to go.

Annabelle  

You're amazing. I'm so grateful. This is I. I appreciate more than anything hearing the how you felt before the community and how you feel now that you have Familia Loca and I think that more than anything it speaks to the community and what it is what it is it's not just professional development it is very much a space where people can can come and feel belonging and feel seen, heard, loved, cared for, empowered. It's like what we want for our students, right? So

Denise  

yes, big thank you,

Annabelle  

thank you for sharing your journey, and for those listening, I hope that you can take what Denise said. I'm sure it resonated with many of you. A lot of what she was saying resonated with me, and we would love to welcome you in our community.

Denise  

Yes, come say hi to me.

Annabelle  

Yeah, come say hi to Denise. Say I listened. She was nervous for this podcast, y'all. What?

Denise  

Oh my god! So nervous! 

Annabelle  

That's nuts. Yeah, come and tell her that you know she was the reason that that shifted things for you. I hope so. Okay, until next time, y'all. We will be teaching La Vida Loca within La Familia Loca PLC, and we hope you will be too. We would love to welcome you. Take care. Bye bye.