Tell us all about you and your family.
Kari: My name is Kari Sides, and my husband, Clay, and I have been married for almost 10 years. We have three precious daughters: Adleigh (8), Mary Clayton (5), and Elle (2).
My husband and I met through a teacher friend in 2012, and our story began not long after. We met watching an Auburn football game, which is very fitting because going to Auburn games is one of our favorite things to do as a family.
I am a fourth-grade teacher at Pick Elementary School. I am beginning my 17th year of teaching this year. My husband works in operations and logistics.
Our family just moved back to Auburn last summer, after about six years living in Birmingham, and we are so happy to be back! We love walking all of the local trails, shopping at farmers markets, and attending all things Auburn. As a family, we enjoy our church, being outside, swimming, going to the lake and beach, and visiting new places.
What is the most rewarding part of the motherhood journey so far?
Kari: Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to my whole life, and being a mommy to three girls is the sweetest, hardest, and most rewarding role I’ve ever had. Watching our girls grow, learn, and love each other fills my heart.
I think the most rewarding part of being a mommy is seeing things you try to instill in your children come out in them naturally. Getting to see our girls love Jesus, people, and each other makes my heart full.
You are a mother and a teacher. What are some ways you prepare your family for going “Back to School”?
Kari: At our house, we love any reason to celebrate. “Back to School” is almost like a holiday. We shop for back-to-school outfits, get all of our supplies together, pick out little ‘first day special treats’ for our teachers, and spend days getting all the things together.
Leading up to the back-to-school season, Clay, the girls, and I spend time in my classroom getting it all ready as well. The girls love “helping” me get my classroom ready each year and prepare all of the little details for “Meet the Teacher” and the first day.
First-day jitters are a real thing for the kiddos, but also for teachers. The excitement leading up to the first day of school is something that fills our home in those last few days of summer.
What are some ways you balance home and work life?
Kari: I would use the word “balance” loosely as a teacher and a mom. The school year is just busy all around. But I would say that trying to prioritize and not overcommitting has helped keep me sane up to this point.
My kids are still little, so we aren’t super involved in all the things that I know are coming as they grow. In this season, we try to prioritize being home for dinner and decent bedtimes as much as possible. We have to start our days early, so getting to bed early at night is a priority at our house.
How do you prioritize “filling your own cup” as a wife, mother, and teacher?
Kari: Starting my day with intentional time with Jesus is the best way to keep my cup filled. I love starting my day with worship music, Bible reading, and journaling. The school year is busy, so getting up before everyone else helps to fill my cup.
What’s your go-to “mom hack” that makes life easier?
Kari: ORGANIZATION! Knowing where everything is and everyone being responsible for their own things makes our day-to-day much easier! Those mornings when someone is running around looking for the missing shoe or unfilled water bottle are not the best way to start our day, so keeping a routine, keeping things in their place, and preparing the night before helps us so much.
What’s the most important lesson you hope to teach your children?
Kari: To love Jesus and share His love with others.
If you could go on a dream family vacation with unlimited funds, where would you go and what would you do?
Kari: My dream vacation would be for our family to spend a summer in Europe exploring Paris, London, Venice, Greece, etc.
Rapid Fire Questions:
- Books or Movies? Books
- Favorite Season? Fall
- Math or English? Math
- Sweet or Salty? Salty
- Favorite school supply list item? Brand New Markers
Kari Sides is an Auburn Native and graduated from the University of Auburn with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Elementary Education. She and her husband, Clay, have been married for nearly a decade and love raising their three young daughters in the Auburn community.
Author: Staff
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