OH WOW!!!

So I opened up the Teachers Notebook Member Newsletter this morning and saw...

Which of course resulted in me tearing up and hubby asking what is wrong! I can't believe my little old store was featured!! Oh... I think we are going to need to do something to celebrate. Any ideas??

In case you are all looking for an amazing giveaway this weekend... checkout this  Blogiversary Celebration! Not only will you have the chance to win any item from my store but there are 27 other products being given away and $20 gift card to TpT.

In other... non-school related news....

I got tired of my hair. So I went and had it cut... lost 7 inches and love it! Especially when I went out with my aunt the other day (note aunt is 3 years older than me) and was told by several people how nice it was for her to spend the day with her teenage daughter. bwahahahahaha!

So I totally do not look THAT young but I will take the compliment any way.

Student Teacher of the Year

I know... I am breaking the 2 posts in one day rule..... but I have been behaving for awhile so I hope I am forgiven.

My school has nominated me for Exemplary Student Teacher of the Year. YES - I am still crying. I have to complete an application and if I accept the nomination, I would then be put into the running for my state.

I am in shock. I keep reading and thinking they can't mean me can they?

I won a $1000 scholarship for being nominated, if accepted it is $5000. If I successfully complete the more rigorous student teaching required of me and sign a three year contract, I get a hiring bonus of $10,000. WOWZA!

Do they really mean me? Do you see why I am crying?

Anyways, I need proof of my commitment to the profession, my impact on the community and teachers in my field, and opinions on my future impact as an educator. I didn't know who else to ask but all of you although I did send requests to my favorite professors and teacher friends. So if anyone would like to email me a reference, that would be amazing!!

Okay... off to dry the tears and try to read through the application and complete it.

Who me??

There are days when I wonder if I made the right choice to go back to grad school, to follow my dream of becoming a teacher. On those days I feel selfish for putting my family through so much, for asking them to give me this time to pursue my own dreams knowing that to do so they must sacrifice something.

I wonder if I am "good enough" to be a teacher. Smart enough. Prepared enough. I wonder if the sacrifice of income is worth the few extra days I will have at home each year. If it is fair to  my family. Perhaps I should wait until I am older when the kids are gone... perhaps then it will be my time.

Then something happens.

My husband will tell me how proud he is of my accomplishments or my son will whisper at bedtime "I think your the greatest mama and teacher ever.... just look at all you taught me and you aren't even suppose too!" I have to giggle at that one.

I started my little (well not so much any more) blog to have a spot to share the lessons I learn on the way from grad school to classroom. Never imaging the impact nor how far reaching it would be. I blog stalk learning more from all of you.

I take the lessons you teach coupled with the latest information and research from my professors and turn it into something magical when I step in front of a class of students. I feel at home there. No matter how bad the day, no matter how little the pay... I know that today I made a difference.

It is still shocking to me when someone else notices my blog. Last week in the middle of stressing about my certification exams, I got a letter saying I was nominated for the Top 100 educational blogs of 2012 by Online Masters in Education. I thought nothing of it.

Who would choose me? Imagine my shock and surprise when the email came in this morning. I checked the list and started at the bottom... that is where I would be right? I came in at number 18. Through peer nominations they gathered a list of people to review.

They based their final selections on experience, content, readership, and reputation. And they put me on the list. I am speechless. Thank you for your faith and confidence in me!

 

Thank you! ~ Top 50 Elementary Teacher Blogs

I was shocked and overwhelmed when one of you nominated my blog for the Most Fascinating Blog of 2012. Then my collaboration blog with 3-6 Teachers across the world was nominated. Each and everyday you all inspire me.

Thank you for choosing both my blogs to be part of the Top 50 blogs for 2012. I am honored and amazed and so grateful for all of you!!!

In addition, I have also been awarded the Lovely Blog Award by two of my amazing readers: Mission Control and Mrs. Stanford's Class. As I have been nominated several times before, I am not going to take the time to play right now but wanted to acknowledge both of you and thank you for your kind words. They are both new bloggers so stop bye when you have a moment and show them some love!

HUGS to all!

Celebrating Success & Saying Goodbye

Today was a bitter sweet day. I surprised my kiddos by showing up for the end of the year party. And my kids missed me!! I have missed them too and some of them have grown in the few weeks since I have left. One of my sweets told my mentor teacher that she could leave now as I could be there sub. Love her!

We sang a lot of songs this year. Why? It helps with increasing reading and vocabulary in a fun way. We also use the songs with the lyrics so that the kids can sing along (and dance!). These are a few of our favorites:

Each day the kids came in and got ready by singing a song. They ask for them at the beginning and end of class. I have seen the messages of these songs bring a smile to faces of kids who struggle. Which is why today was SO important!

Today we celebrated their academic success... success that is so hard for these kids to achieve as each of them has a disability that makes learning difficult. But the strength each of these students show is incredible!

So we had a pizza party and watched Space Jam! A little fun to relax before the awards. I think they enjoyed it!

Then... the awards! Each one grew so much this year. They earned this. They are amazing!

They made a lot of friends during the year. 

Then the 5th graders helped clean up the room and get it ready for summer. Only 6 days left of school but only one more day left of ESS (SPED).

The 5th graders are graduating and will be in middle school next year. One final group picture together. Some of these kids have been together since Kindergarten and now will go to separate schools for the next three years before meeting again in High School.

My mentor teacher was amazing. She made all of these awards and laminated them. Created a special graduation gift for the fifth graders. Made fruit kabobs and star shaped rice crispy treats on a stick. She is amazing and the kids truly love her!

I now understand why some teachers cry at the end of the year. It is hard to let go of MY students. I love their smiles and stories and antics. I love how their personalities have come out of their shell and shine through.I will miss them all.

Today made me want to say yes to having my own classroom next year.

Don't forget!

Vote for Fascinating Blogs!

OOPS!! I forgot! Voting started today. Two of my blogs were nominated and I am still so amazed and blessed by this. I am not hoping to win but would at least like one vote. =)

So... if you have a moment, stop by and check it out. So many of my friends were also nominated. I am not sure who to cheer for but I agree... I believe they are all incredible bloggers and teachers!

Nomination: Most Fascinating Blog of 2012!

I came home tonight and found a surprise in my inbox...

WOW! I am completely honored and speechless and trying so hard not to cry and overwhelmed and... and...  I just don't know what! Thank you! All of you for reading and commenting and sharing your own thoughts and journeys with me.

Oh... I guess I should tell you voting begins May 14 and the winners are announced on May 21 (my birthday!). Okay now I have to go and run and tell hubby as he is not home yet and he will want to know why I am being all teary and girly and .... well yea. WOW. Thank you! You all are amazing!

UPDATE: I was just forwarded an email from one of the Coffee Club members letting me know that my other blog, 3-6 Free Resources, was also nominated!

Double nominations..... I have no clue how to react to that! What is beyond speechless?

Happy Easter, Tag, Guests, & other Stuff

I really wanted to share with you all of my thoughts and reflections from my time in special education and am so happy I did! However, I have A LOT to catch up on... so this is going to be a long rambling post. So grab some chocolate and coffee and get comfy!

Have you all been to my new site you and clicked to join as a follower? Did you add your blog to our various linky parties? If you haven't you should!! 

I have been working with an amazing group of teachers and we have some exciting things ahead for you! I am still looking for people who would like to contribute to this great site, so let me know if you are interested. My email is on one of those pages up there (points to top of page.

Next stop... did you know that the Honey Bunch Blog Designs is giving away a free monthly blog decoration? Did you see my cute buttons over there (points at top of sidebar)?

You can get the Hoppy Easter one for free! So stop by and pick yours up! Oh and don't forget they are also having a giveaway for half-off of a blog design. Just click on this picture here:

Guest Blogger/Teacher Features INCOMING!!!  March I had so much fun with 6 giveaways! This mo
nth, I have a bunch of teachers I would like you to meet and afterwards they are going to share some wisdom of their own and a freebie! I have a few spots still open so if you are interested, send me an email (up there somewhere... I should go find it.)

 Did you notice I went MIA yesterday? 

Anyone want to know where I was??

 I was a guest blogger for Natalie while she was in Japan! Psst... there is a freebie!

I have been tagged.... then tagged again... and again.... and again! I think ya'll really want me to play. And so I shall. I deleted the repeated questions.

 

1. What is your favorite subject/unit to teach? Literature & Social Studies
2. What is your favorite school supply? Anything that I can use to organize that matches my class
3. What is your favorite non-teaching blog? My BFF's family site (invitation only)
4. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you visit? Ireland
5. Have you ever made anything from Pinterest? Teachers Board How did it turn out? UGH.... =/
6. What's your cure for a bad day? bubble baths & a good book
7. What is one piece of advice that you would give to a newbie teacher blogger? be yourself!
8. What's one item that is always in your fridge? fresh garlic
9. What are your plans for this summer? nothing yet!
10. What is one thing you never leave the house without? my phone

1. What is your favorite holiday project for your classroom? pumpkin book reports, adopt a peep, catching a leprechaun... so many fun things to do!

2. Which do you prefer reading/writing or math/science? reading/writing

3. What is your favorite piece of technology for your classroom? iPad

4. What was the last thing that happened in class that made you cry? Watching my ESS std being treated like she was invisible in a gen ed classroom.

5. Who is your favorite children's author? too many to choose from and it constantly changes

6. What is last song you listened to on your iPod or radio? I want candy (from the movie hop)

7. If you could go any where on a trip, where would you go? Alaska or Ireland

8. Which do you prefer winter or summer? winter

9. What is your most memorable teaching experience? Connecting to a student with multiple disabilities. She was labeled as unable to attach among other things and suddenly one day she walked up to me, gave me a hug, and said thank you.... then walked away.

10. Why did you decide to start your blog? I wanted a place to record my reflections and ideas and the great ideas I find. I also wanted in searchable.

1.  If you could live anywhere where would it be and why? I would live on a huge piece of land and have a ranch/farm in a place with four seasons and lots of trees and a river nearby. It would be about an hour from a city and about 30 minutes from a small town. Close enough if I ever need anything but far enough to enjoy the country.

2.   What is you favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon? Family time!

3.  What is the best book you've ever read and why? I really love The Cay. It is one of my favorites and my poor boys have heard it read aloud a dozen times over. There is so much one can learn from that about character.
4.  What is your favorite classroom book and why? This changes regularly... I get bored with the same thing over and over again.
7. Which blogs do you stalk routinely? yours, the science penguin, zombie math, Farley, Joy in the 6th grade, Buzz with Ms. B, What the teacher wants, Mr. B's Beach Brains...
9.  What grade do you love teaching? 3 & 4
10.What is your favorite animal? don't have one
 

 

2. What is your favorite drink? hmmm... white chocolate mocha from starbucks or sweet tea

6. What is the name of your favorite font? CK Constitution
7. Do you wear a watch or not?  yes If so which wrist? left
8. Gold or silver? silver
9. What is your favorite TV show to watch? I watch whatever my family is. I don't watch tv when alone. Currently we are watching Game of Thrones as The Walking Dead is over.
10. Dog, cat or other? Dog

Here Are The Rules:

* Answer the 10 questions that the tagger posted for you

*Create 10 questions of your own to ask the people that your're about to tag

*Tag 10 people and link them with your post (and let them know they've been tagged!

My Questions: 

1. What is your favorite recipe? 
2. Where do you find resources for your classroom? 
3. Name 3 organizational supplies you can't live without.
4. What are your favorite colors?
5. What is your class or personal motto? 
6. Do you use the common core standards in your classroom? 
7. What are your thoughts on whole brain teaching? 
8. Name 3 things the you need most for your classroom.
9. What do you do to celebrate a big accomplishment?
10. Are you/do you plan on becoming nationally certified? why or why not?

TAG! Your it!

If you have already been tagged, my apologies. I tried to find new people to tag. =)

And I must be really loved as I won another award!
WOW!

Stephanie from 3rd Grade Thoughts also awarded me:

Thank you!

 

So there you have it! The LONGEST post ever!!!
 Happy Easter Everyone!