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She graciously nominated my blog for the Liebster award!! I couldn't stop (and still can't!) smiling from ear to ear! It is such an honor to be recognized and to accept this award!
The Liebster Award is presented to upcoming blog authors with less than
200 followers. Liebster is a German word meaning sweetest, kindest,
nicest, dearest, and beloved! Perfect adjectives to describe us
teachers! ;)
My Nominees:
11 Quick Facts about Me!
- I have a dog named Koda (Doh-da, as said by my toddler) and a cat named Dasher!
- I love to go bowling. I even have my own shoes!
- I am addicted to my smartphone.
- My favorite word is "droplet". It just sounds.. so funny?
- I am a picky eater.
- I don't like to go shopping unless it's for someone else, namely.. my baby girl!
- I've known my husband for just about 15 years! (I'm not even 30 yet!!)
- I love horseback riding.
- I spend way too much time on Pinterest.
- I love to learn programming languages, even though I'm not very good at any of them, yet!
- I LOVE spring cleaning!
Questions from The Readbox:
1. What TPT item are you most proud of?
I am SO proud of my Guided Reading: Quick Starts! Whenever I have had small reading groups in the lower elementary grades, I've always had students come up and ask questions about what they're supposed to be doing before I can even open my guided reading book! It was frustrating because the students I had at my table would be twiddling their thumbs, playing, or otherwise be occupying their time when they could be LEARNING. Thus, my creation ensued. Quick starts are individual and partner activities that the students can work on WITHOUT the teacher and deal with -every- -single- common core standard in reading for a particular grade level (first, second, or third so far)! I can have my students working on a skill while I'm busy telling a student (likely for the third of fourth time) that if the computer is broken... they need to make another choice (who hasn't had to repeat that a bajillion times?).
2. If you were a character from a TV show, who would you be and why?
Hmm. I am dating myself here, but I would totally be Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV show with Angel and Spike). Giles was an AWESOME mentor to her and I would just love to be his student! Plus...Angel? Yeah. Angel!
3. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would eat mozzarella sticks. With parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. And maybe with some ranch sauce. I am such a sucker for appetizers!
4. If you were stranded on an island, who would you need there with you?
I would totally need my husband! He is the light of my life -- keeps me calm when I'm a nervous wreck, and has a quick wit and sharp mind. He keeps his cool under fire and would make for an awesome adventure if we were stranded on an island!
5. What was your biggest mistake/regret in teaching?
I think one of my biggest regrets was dealing with a parent during summer school a few years ago. Our summer school program was an at-will type of thing, so if your student was acting up or really didn't want to be there (which was evident by lack of participation, behavior issues) then we would inform the parents that their student wasn't welcomed back for the remainder of the semester. I had one student that would literally sprawl himself on my floor and refused to do any of the work (even though it was FUN stuff.. like building rockets, painting...). I had spoken to my principal about it and he shrugged it off. I talked to the parent and offered "another chance" because the mom REALLY wanted her son in the program. The next day he's still not cooperating and my team and I have had enough. At dismissal, I was talking to the mother and was just getting to the point where I would tell her that her son wouldn't be coming back when the principal comes up to the two of us and interjects his own apology BEFORE I had approached the subject with his mom. Confused, the mom looks at me and then BLOWS UP because she thought her son was turning the corner. Sigh. Then, I got chewed out by my principal for leading her on even though I did no such thing..
Since then, I have learned to take the direct route when talking to parents about their children. I don't think I was trying to sugar coat the situation, but during our summer school program if the kids had perfect attendance they received a $100.00 gift card! Who wouldn't want their kids to stay in the program? I had never had to deal with this type of situation before and am glad to have learned so much from it.
6. What made you decide to enter blog world?
I have loved seeing all of the fun and exciting things that are going on in classrooms around the world. I wanted to add my OWN unique experiences to the bunch!
7. What is your favorite childhood memories?
I loved going to sporting events in my childhood. My mom, dad, and brother would pack up and go to hockey and baseball games whenever we could afford to go. I have so many fond memories of cheering on my favorite teams with my family!
8. Who is your hero?
My hero is my dad. He is Mr. Fix it, laid back, enjoys a lap dog/cat, and is one of the most hard working individuals I have ever met. He is always willing to help in whatever way he can and puts everyone else before him. He is kind hearted, and always looks to make you smile with a bad joke.
9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you pick?
I would travel to Australia. I would love to see their wildlife!
10. You're a superhero! What super power do you think you would be given?
I think I'd want the ability to read minds... with the ability to turn THAT ability on and off!
11. If you could change one thing about the world...what would it be?
I would change how we treat and view one another. I am always so saddened when I hear about my students who are dealing with bullies (cyber or otherwise) and how parents tend to look the other way because "they're just kids". No, it's not about kids being kids, it's about parents, educators, and other adults taking a stand to show our children that it's not okay to hurt someone else. We have so many
valuable resources at our disposal and we throw them away or never
realize their true value until it's too late.
