LIVE with The Famous Dr AL and Patricia James

Guest Background Patricia James has spent her life in education, primarily teaching first grade but also working with kindergarten and fifth grade.She’s been married to her high school sweetheart for 62 years, and they have two children, five grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.Patricia has received multiple awards for her teaching, including the prestigious "Elementary Teacher of the Year" from the Northeast Elementary District in San Antonio. How Patricia Became a Teacher Patricia's journey to teaching began when she was just 8 years old. Her father, upon hearing about a teacher shortage on the radio, suggested she consider teaching, and she never looked back. She knew from that moment that teaching was her calling. Why First Grade is Her Favorite While Patricia has taught various grades, she has a special love for first grade because of the honesty and transparency of the students. She loves how quickly they learn and their unfiltered thoughts.She discusses the joy of teaching children how to read, describing it as a transformative moment in a child’s life when they "break the code." Books by Patricia James I Love Monday Mornings is Patricia's first book, which highlights the funny, poignant, and sometimes heartbreaking experiences of teaching young children.Her second book, Don’t Miss School on Mondays, was inspired by a student who believed Patricia missed her students too much over the weekend. The book is also available in Spanish as No te Pierdas la Escuela los Lunes. Joy and Gratitude in Teaching Patricia speaks about the importance of joy in teaching, making learning fun for students, and ensuring that they look forward to coming to school.She highlights how joy is an indicator that you're doing what you're meant to do in life. Patricia sees her role as a teacher as not only imparting knowledge but also building up children’s self-esteem and helping them believe in their potential. Challenges in Teaching While Patricia has many humorous and joyful stories, she also shares the challenges. Some children came from difficult home environments, and she recalls instances where she had to step in and report concerning situations to child services.Despite the difficulties, Patricia remains committed to making a positive impact on every child she teaches. Memorable Moments Patricia recalls heartwarming stories from her teaching years, such as students dreaming of future careers and remembering her fondly as their favorite teacher.One student, at her retirement party, threw a football to her—a sweet callback to a dream Patricia shared with her students about catching a pass in heaven. Living a Fantastic Life Patricia shares how her faith and priorities—God, family, and teaching—have guided her throughout her life.She and her husband have also taken on the role of helping care for their great-granddaughter, which has given her new insights into early childhood learning. How to Learn More About Patricia James Patricia’s books, I Love Monday Mornings and Don’t Miss School on Mondays, are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and her website: www.patjames.site.On her website, visitors can find more stories, updates, and pictures related to her work and life. Closing Thoughts Dr. Allen Lycka closes the show by encouraging listeners to live a fantastic life, filled with gratitude and joy, much like Patricia James has. He invites listeners to learn more by visiting his website www.drallenlycka.com and to enter a special giveaway for a chance to win a vacation. Call to Action: Visit Patricia James’ website to learn more about her books and teaching journey.