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Ms. Rachel Vincent

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40 Before 40

Next May, I turn 30!  I ran across this idea at Simply Kelly. It was such a cute idea that I had to borrow it.  It’s funny how many of her ideas are the same ones I had.  So here’s my list of 30 things I want to do before I turn 30. 


**UPDATE** So I turned 30 and then 31 and never completed this list.  So I’m trying again.  A slight name change….a few more things to do and now I have a 35 Before 35!


***UPDATE*** I still didn’t make it by 35 and now I’m three years away from 40, so I’m trying again!


1. Run a 5K
2. Participate in the Cooper River Bridge Run
3. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge Read About It
4. Cook a recipe from every cookbook I own
5. Read 3 novels
6. Have a picnic in Central Park Read About It
7. Write snail mail notes to a different person every month
8. Make working out a permanent thing in my life
9. Complete a Beachbody Program
10. See a show on Broadway Read About It
11. Pay for someone in line behind me at a drive-thru
12. Get 50 followers on my blog
13. Read 5 professional books
14. Be a Bridesmaid
15. Become a morning person
16. Host a party at my place
17. Take more pictures
18. Go see a movie at the theater alone
19. Go to the dentist
20. Get back to my goal weight
21. Treat my parents to dinner
22. Renew my National Board Certification
23. Do a real pushup
24. Say “Yes” to something I wouldn’t normally do
25. Visit the mountains regularly
26. Find a new church
27. Be braver with my clothes and style
28. Go to a concert
29. Stay on my budget
30. Have a 30th birthday party!
31. Go 24 hours without technology
32. Blog regularly
33. Attend a Blogger Meet up
34. Go back to NYC
35. Start a YouTube channel
36. Hit 10K followers on Instagram
37. Attend a college football game
38. 40th Birthday Trip (Staycation)
39. Quit teaching to run my business full time
40. Complete this list!



Some will be easy…some not so much…but I think I can do all of them! 

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msrachelvincent

Hey 👋 I’m Rachel. I’m a 4th grade teacher who sha Hey 👋 I’m Rachel.
I’m a 4th grade teacher who shares realistic systems and routines for 3rd–5th grade classrooms.
Think: less chaos, more structure, and nothing that requires a personality transplant to pull off.
If you’re:
• tired of overcomplicated classroom “hacks”
• craving systems that actually work mid-year
• trying to teach well and keep your sanity
You’re in the right place.
I’m stepping back from Instagram for a bit and simplifying where I show up. No drama. Just focus.
👉 Check the next two pinned posts to see where I am sharing and what I recommend starting with.
Instagram isn’t my main hangout anymore. YouTube i Instagram isn’t my main hangout anymore.
YouTube is.
In 2026, that’s where I’m sharing:
• full classroom routines
• behavior and management systems
• realistic walkthroughs you can actually use
• the stuff that doesn’t fit in a 7-second Reel
If you’ve ever wished I could just slow down and explain it, YouTube is where that happens.
🎥 New videos go up there (without the algorithm chaos).
➡️ Subscribe using the link in my bio
➡️ Start with: Simple Classroom Management Tricks That Actually Work!
I’ll see you there.
Short on time? Start here. These are the resource Short on time? Start here.
These are the resources teachers come back for again and again:
• practical classroom systems
• simple routines that stick
• no-prep or low-prep support for real school days
🎁 Grab my free resources (linked in bio) if you teach 3rd–5th grade and want things to feel more manageable.
I may be quieter here, but I’m still sharing:
• on YouTube
• through email
• with resources designed for actual classrooms
Take what you need. Save what helps.
And when you’re ready, I’ll be there.
Coming back after winter break is… a whole vibe. 😅 Coming back after winter break is… a whole vibe. 😅
Half your class forgets how to go to school, the other half is still in pajama-mode, and we’re all pretending we didn’t eat our body weight in holiday cookies.
Here are 5 things that make the first day back so much smoother:
✨ Share & Connect
Start with something low-key and personal. My one-page Welcome Back printer is perfect for quick reflection + giving everyone space to share without losing the whole morning.
✨ Review Routines
Because, yes, you will need to reteach how to line up, transition, and find a pencil. It’s not you. It’s January.
✨ Goal Setting
A new year is the perfect reset. Help students choose simple, doable goals they can actually stick with.
✨ Team Building
Shake the awkward out with partner challenges or quick mixers to rebuild your classroom community.
✨ A Fun Interactive Lesson
End the day with something hands-on: a mini game, a simple STEM challenge, a math activity… anything that gets them excited to be back.
Save this post for your first week in January and grab the Welcome Back printable through the link in my profile so you’re ready to roll.
We’ve got this. Even in January. 😉
✨ New year, fresh start, happy teacher! ✨ If you’r ✨ New year, fresh start, happy teacher! ✨
If you’re looking to kick off January with activities that actually help your students reset, refocus, and ease back into routine, I’ve got you covered!
📝 Welcome Back From Break Pack – low-prep activities to transition smoothly
🌟 One Little Word – help students choose a meaningful word for the year
🎯 Goal Setting Mini-Lessons – teach students how to set goals they’ll actually stick to
🖋️ New Year Poetry Writing Pages – creative + reflective writing to start 2025 strong
These are fun, simple, and perfect for that first week back when everyone’s still getting back into the swing of school. 😅
📲 Grab what you need > links in bio!
#NewYearInTheClassroom #UpperElementary #GoalSettingForKids #OneLittleWord #BackFromBreak #TeacherResources
📚✨ Calling all 3rd-5th grade teachers! I've got a 📚✨ Calling all 3rd-5th grade teachers! I've got a FREE Scope and Sequence just for you! 🎉 It includes pacing guides for math, reading & writing, word study, and grammar to help you stay organized and stress-free all year long. 🙌🏼 Get ready to streamline your planning and keep your classroom on track—grab your freebie now! 📝💡 #TeacherFreebies #ScopeAndSequence #LessonPlanningMadeEasy
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