It’s a new school year for Gloria, and she has spent most weekends with a child. Her adventures on weekends have been delightful. Reading her journal to children is always exciting.
Back in the beginning of Gloria in the Aqua Room, she lived in a picnic basket on top of the classroom cabinets, only coming out to visit occasionally. The day I forgot to put her back into her basket was the best day. Children played with her. I learned. Since then, she is always out in the classroom. Sleepovers didn’t happen until a boy asked if she could come to his house.
His mom sent me this photo
“Colin…I don’t know. She’s never been on a sleepover.”
“Don’t worry. I have a nightlight. She won’t be scared.”
Since that first sleepover, she has been mountain climbing, trick-or-treating, at the Super Bowl parade in Boston, high school graduations, play performances, the ocean….and just hanging out. I thought you might enjoy some of her journal entries this year.
But first, she has classroom adventures, too. We are learning about Asia this month. A child wearing a tiger costume helped Gloria find little airplanes and ‘fly’ to Asia. Precious.
Gloria’s journal often has lengthy entries.
The photos are always the most popular.
She was a unicorn for Halloween and joined the family for dinner. Dad helped feed Gloria. Speaking of Dads, she loved being carried in a backpack… on the way to a helicopter ride’.
Gloria went to a school play! Mom told me that she heard shouts of “Gloria.” People in the audience remembered her and greeted her.
A very happy Thanksgiving! Who knew Gloria could play chess? Who knew stuffing was Gloria’s favorite? I don’t think she was scared riding in the jeep.
She had a wonderful Christmas week at a child’s house, too. At last I had the opportunity to bring Gloria home. She wanted to look at all the pictures and entries in the journal. It was fun for both of us.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
All are such lovely experiences!
Yes, indeed! 💕
Gloria has the best of times with your kids, wonderful!
She does! Thanks so much, FR.
Jennie! This gives pure joy! Gloria is living her best life! And it seems you are too~you radiate with love for the kids and the experiences you’re providing through the gift of Gloria…and YOU. Your video made me squeak with delight. Oh, to live Gloria’s life (backpacking, helicopter ride, NFL,…the best~all who remember her!)! All of these memories are undoubtedly tucked into the hearts and souls of every child who had Gloria as a friend (and YOU as a teacher and friend). Bravo, Jennie & Gloria (and kids and parents!)! ♥️❤️🥰😭🙌🏻
That is so nice, Karla. Thank you! 🥰 My favorite was the child and family who took Gloria to the school play and discovered many people in the audience fondly remembered her. ❤️
It’s my pleasure, Jennie! Yes! That she was remembered was so amazing! ♥️♥️♥️
😍
Big smiles!
I’m so glad! 😀
gloria has grown to be such an important and much-loved part of your classroom – it’s wonderful how she has organically grown, quite naturally, to be such a part of the children’s lives and learning
Well said, Beth. It happened over time, naturally so. As always, children lead the way and I follow. There always seems to be child-driven lessons and love and adventure when it comes to Gloria.
Gloria has many friends, is loved, and helps teach your students. She is easy to love.
Thank you, Dan. Fortunately, you know this firsthand. ❤️
A proud moment in my life, Jennie.
A proud moment for me and for Gloria, too. I will never forget the photo of you and Gloria when you first met.
This post just made me smile big time. Gloria is living her best life.
I’m so glad, Darlene! Yes, she really is. 😀
LOVE THIS!!!
I’m so glad! Thank you!
How fun!
Yes! And, thank you.
A wonderful post about the joy Gloria brings into a child’s life and the adults looked pretty pleased too… I think it is so lovely 🙂 x
Thank you, Carol. She really brings joy to children. When I look through her journal, I want to fist-bump all of the adults. I make a point of personally telling (and thanking) them. When I heard that people in the audience at the school play remembered and shouted out to Gloria….❤️
It must warm the cockles of your heart as we say, Jennie 🙂 x
Yes it does, very much so. ❤️
Now that’s what I call education – empathy, compassion, caring, teaching and learning. Gloria is one fine educator!!
You have that right, Opher!
Exercising imagination!!
I like those words. They describe what happens. Thank you, Opher.
Gloria’s adventures are the best! I would love to bring her home to meet Ollie, he would love her. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Oh my goodness! Yes, Ollie would love Gloria, and vice versa. Dogs understand her. My teaching partner just took Gloria home to meet her dog. Nora the black lab LOVED Gloria. I have a priceless photo which I will email to you.
Pete, I know Ollie is old and may not have many years left. Can I mail Gloria to visit Ollie? She somehow works wonders, and she just might make Ollie smile. As soon as school ends in mid June, I will gladly send Gloria to you and Ollie. She would love visiting England. 😀
Thanks, Jennie. I have replied to your email this morning.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete. It was lovely!
Lovely post.
Thank you.
💛
Such wonderful memories Gloria is creating with these children and families. I loved that so many older kids and families remembered her at the play!
I spy your Hungry Hungry Caterpillar jumper!! I love it! Thanks for the smiles this morning, Jennie. 😀😍
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Deborah! Like you, when I heard that older kids remembered Gloria at the play performance, I was over the moon.
Yes, I was wearing my Very Hungry Caterpillar pin! It is actually puffy, and the children love it. I do, too! You’re welcome for the smiles. 😀
Oh, it’s a pin! That’s even better. 😀
Yes! 😀
I love this Jennie. Gloria is so lucky to have so many wonderful adventures with her friends and their families.
Thank you, Carla. She is very lucky! Children love and remember her. 💕
Gloria is such a wonderful “vehicle” for your teaching.
What a wonderful history Gloria is creating. Perhaps worthy of a book . . .
This is one of your most brilliant ideas, Jennie, and that’s saying something. I love how the parents embrace Gloria and involve her in many activities. She’s probably visited more places than most of us. 😊
I loved hearing and seeing Gloria’s adventures. She is very special for the children and their families. The best part was the applause she got at the theater. So many have been touched by her.
Thank you, John. She is very special, indeed. Like you, I thought the best part was the applause she got at the theater. I’m glad the mom pulled me aside to tell me. She knew it was a big deal. Yes, so many children have been touched. Thank you, Gloria.
😊
Gloria really gets around:) Love these photos!
She does. Thank you, Becky.
I love how Gloria always gets the star treatment! I assume she is the perfect guest, too, no diva behavior.
Her behavior is often silly or scared, never a diva. She is the one everyone loves, because she is just as scared and trying to be as brave as they are. Oh, she is always kind. No wonder she gets the star treatment. She’s the real deal. Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jennie. I’ve been meaning to ask if the children have conversations with Gloria. When my daughter was little, I used to overhear her in her bedroom having conversations with “my people.”
Yes, they often have conversations with her. It is delightful! I bet you smile thinking of your daughter’s conversations.
Yes, I do!
😀
Jennie… this was so, so, precious… Loved all of Gloria’s adventures and her wonderful visits with all of those lovely families… And That video of you reading her journal was Beautiful Jennie… 😀 … Just wonderful photos of her adventures … ❤ … ❤ xx
There are many, many thank yous here, Sue. I’m so glad you loved the adventures and visits with families. I did, too! It was precious. I couldn’t read Gloria’s journal and show it at the same time, so I’m glad my video worked. Gloria works wonders, and her adventures are priceless.
So very precious all of her adventures and sleep overs, they mean such a lot… ❤ xx
Hi Jennie, these posts about Gloria never cease to amaze me 🤗💜
Thank you, Robbie. She is wonder!
Gloria works hard, but she plays hard as well! She’s the center of attention in any circumstance…and deservedly so.🙂
She does, Bruce! Best to you.
Hi Jennie, thank you for another wonderful post!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I’d say Gloria is living a grand life! ❤
That’s absolutely wonderful , Jennie. I really loved that – Gloria works on so many levels, helping kids engage and learn. And also that beauty contests are trivial things!
Gloria should write a book of all her adventures!
I love Gloria she is amazing…
I would love to have her come and stay with me 💜😁
That’s so nice, Willow! I’m sure she would have a lovely time. 😍
We certainly would 💜💜💜
😀
Wow. Gloria is so lucky to have such great friends and go on so many adventures! So far this school year, she’s done more fun things than I have! Great share, Jennie. What fun for Gloria and the kids. ❤
She has a better social life than most of us do! Glad you enjoyed this, Diana.
LOL. That’s so true!
😀
Jennie, what an adventurous life for Gloria – I bet she needed a little break with you before the start of the amazing new outings for 2024! 😀
Yes, she has been on a well deserved break for a few weeks. Thanks, Annika!
What a seasoned traveller Gloria is Jennie and bringing such joy to children and adults alike. Such an amazing teaching assistant and one that will be long remembered ♥
She really is, Sally. The joy she brings is immeasurable. I’m glad you enjoyed Gloria’s adventures. 🥰
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Weekly – 20th January 2024 – #Grammar D.L. Finn, #Honduras Carol Taylor, #Release John Howell with Gwen M. Plano, #TeachingAssistant Jennie Fitzkee, #MediaMemories Debbie The Doglady | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Thank you, Sally!
Gloria leads an exciting life! 🙂 It’s wonderful the children have taken to her so affectionately.
It is wonderful. Thank you, Debbie.
Lol, that’s amazing and so wonderful! Gloria has the most interesting and experienced journey’s. I can’t believe that the resides in a picnic basket in the classroom. Gloria is definitely the best paedagogic compagnion. xx Michael
Thanks so much, Michael. Thank goodness she now lives on the couch instead of in a picnic basket above the classroom cabinets. I certainly learned my lesson when I accidentally left her out. Yes, she is the best teacher for young children. Best to you!
What a lovely time Gloria has. I’m a bit envious! Thanks for sharing her adventures, Jennie.
Thank you, Olga. She really has wonderful adventures. Honestly, I’m envious, too!
This is magical! Thank you for sharing Gloria’s adventures, Jennie!
You are welcome, Lisa!