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We had our first faculty meeting yesterday. Our new master teacher was charged with leading an ice breaker. She passed around a bowl of Hershey’s chocolate bars. She told us to choose one carefully. I chose Krackel. The first personality she put on the board was Dark Chocolate. I should have chosen Dark Chocolate. I am more comfortable as an introvert.
You are a deep and complex person. You don’t let anyone get too close to you.
You stay a mystery, and you’re good at keeping secrets… especially your own.You prefer to stay on the outside a bit and observe. You find people fascinating.
You seek to understand and appreciate the world. There is more to you than anyone will ever know.
But God had a message for me, so God made me choose Krackel.
You create a spark and leave a mark everywhere you go. You’re very bold.
Your days are full of fun and laughter. You love life, and you never take it too seriously.You enjoy brightening someone’s mood, and you are always an optimist.
Things may not ever be perfect, but you’ll always find something to smile about.
I was caught being pessimistic. I had to laugh at this joke. Me? A smiling optimist? Full of fun and laughter? Not at this party! I have been anything but optimistic about this new school year. I’ve been trying to change my attitude. What can change your attitude better than random fortune cookie-like personality proclamations? I am going to tape this Krackel wrapper to the front of my writing notebook.
On another note, but along the same topic of messages from the universe, I saw this sign on a fence in my daughter’s neighborhood.
What a great message! I need to realize even though I am faced with a difficult schedule and new curriculum to learn, I can be better this year than I was last year. And being better is a choice that is mine to make.
So for this new beginning, I am going to take these not so subliminal smack-me-in-the-face messages and start the new school year with optimism, a sense of humor, and determination to make it the best year ever.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love Krackle and I love the message. I think it fits you well. That sign is perfect! Be better than you were yesterday. YES! That line is going into my notebook. Thank you for this, friend! I know it will be a great year!
I love the Krackle note- having “known” you on line for several years, I think it fits you very well! And I also love the sign. Like Michelle, I’m putting this in my notebook.
On a totally selfish note, I would love to use this as an icebreaker at my PD sessions the week of August 14th. Do you think the person who led this would be willing to share?
I will check with her. When I asked, she said Pinterest, but I couldn’t find it there. I guess I need to find the right search terms. This is a version I found on one of those online quiz things.
Here’s the link. http://wheredmyjobgo.blogspot.com/2012/03/shut-up-rush-and-chocolate-personality.html?m=1
Margaret, I think you can be dark chocolate AND krackel! I love that you are listening to the universe and being bold and open enough to invite more krackel into your life… who knows? I have mixed feelings about the “be better” sign… all this striving to improve can be very distracting when what we really need to do is accept ourselves exactly as we are…. and yet that’s the very thing that will make us better tomorrow than today! Love to you, friend! And thank you for revealing bits of yourself here and in your poems. You are beautiful! xo
I could sure use a dose of your kindness today. Starting a new school year is hard. I want my summer serenity back!
Chocolate wisdom . . . I kept my favorite Dove quotes on my teacher bulletin board, you know the one behind the desk, with all the important info posted. I think the Crackle description fits – creating a spark and leaving a mark, full of fun and laughter – those describe the Margaret I know. Here’s to making this your best year ever (in spite of new challenges).
Margaret, this sounds like a great ice breaker. What were the messages for the other mini candy bars? I’d love to try this one. Thanks for sharing.
I had a hard time finding these. I think it’s embedded in a quiz about what kind of chocolate bar are you.
Margaret, if I had been given the two chocolate types and asked to choose one that fit you, I would definitely have picked Krackle. A new curriculum and difficult schedule sound daunting to me, here on the other side of a teaching career, but if anyone can carry off these things you can. All the best as you face the start of this school year! You’ll be wonderful. Blessed kids to have you for a teacher.
Thanks, Violet. I need to get this message through my stubborn head. I can do this!
What a great message for your kiddos! Sometimes, we surprise ourselves with things we don’t expect. Things that lead us to better tomorrows.
Margaret, a krackel bar type you are from my standpoint. From the moment I was in your presence you created a spark and left a mark of friendship. You are always fun to be around and I think you love life as demonstrated by your love of dancing, teaching, and life in Louisiana. You have brightened my life and always bring joy when I come to your page. With that being said, go out this year and spark learning despite the challenges.
I agree with Irene….a lot of the time you are dark chocolate. But, I see the Krackel too. You are a spark. You share so nicely and richly with others; students, colleagues, writers. You will be wonderful this year because you are learning….must learn. You are if anything, a professional learner. Can’t wait to find the bread crumbs on your trail.
Today I started to see the light. Learning and planning for kids’ learning is exciting for me. Thanks for that last line.
I love both kinds of people…and a taste of those candies once in a while……..
….the teaching fills yoilur soul, even on the tough days which I know you know. I always wanted to vote for some variant of a 4 day week….think outside the box on what could work best ie teachers only Mon. ams. Then kids and one other pm off….however…childcare puts a damper on this unless some other creative option could work…..just a dream though…..Anyhow….what is your new curr.? Still teaching the same grade and kids? I taught for 41 years, still sub, still want to be part of the world of educating, raising, honoring kids and of course….literacy. But do admit to liking the extra time I have. You are a gift to your students, your family and friends and literacy, Margaret.
This year I have 3 schools and 15 students ranging from 2nd to 6th grade. Working out the schedule has been difficult, but it’s starting to smooth out. Thanks for your support.
I always go for the Special Dark or Mr. Goodbar – and neither one has let me down yet. 😉 I, too, think you’re a little bit dark and little bit Krackel! (like Donny & Marie, maybe??)
Hmmm, this is interesting. I would have chosen the Mr. Goodbar or Milk Chocolate. I wonder what that says about me. : )
I am a Krackle person, too. Most of the time. I rarely turn down any chocolate…
I can’t imagine being in an itinerant position. You’re going to need a bit of dark chocolate to get you through! I long for the day they make dark chocolate Krackel! Shall we write to the Hershey’s people and ask them to get going on it?
Margaret, thanks for this very inspirational piece. Loved the banner; “Be better than you were yesterday!”