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Showing posts with label Teacher Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teacher Week. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Teacher Talk Tuesday

Advice for new teachers???  Hmmm....in no particular order....

1. Always make time for read-alouds....no matter the grade you teach.  (Don't be afraid to use silly voices!)

2. If you think of something you need to do (or get or call...) try to write it down right away AND put it somewhere you will see (on your computer monitor?!).  Way too often I think of something important but don't write it down.  This is especially true at the beginning of the year.

3. Don't be afraid to ask for advice or help from your colleagues, especially when trying something out new.  It's always nice to get a fresh perspective on your ideas.  Plus its a great way to start sharing your ideas.

4. Read a Debbie Diller book.  She has so many great ideas that can be used in any grade.

5.  Set a time limit on your nightly blog-stalking : )

6. Try to keep a day for yourself that isn't focused on planning, cutting, tracing, etc.

7. Make friends with the custodians....

8. When in need of supplies ask around first before spending your own money.  Many times I will get things just by asking that aren't being used.

9. Make time to listen to your kiddos stories.

10. Share your life with your kiddos....it is so much easier for them to connect with you when they know your favorite color and food or even what you looked like when you were in first grade.

There are so many tips to share with newbie teachers, but I tried to include ones that aren't typically thought of at the top of the list....if asked for just one tip I am not sure if I could.  For me....the best tip ever is don't forget your Diet Dew in the morning!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Meet the Teacher Monday

So it's 10 pm and I am just settled in to relax....long day!  We have been at school for a week and today was our Parent Meeting night....really wish we would have had our meeting last week!  Anyways....ready to join the linky party! 

Background Info
I graduated in 1999 with my Bachelor's degree in Elementary and then my Master's degree in 2003.  This will be my 12th year teaching.  I started in 4th for a few years then went to 3rd for 6 years and then 1st.  So this will be my 4th year and I absolutely love it!  I thought I was meant to be in 3rd, but 1st is where it's at.  In fact, I believe all teachers should experience 1st grade at least for a year.
I am married to my sweet husband Ryan.  We have been married for 13 years.  We have a 10 year old Molly who started 5th grade and a 6 year old Brendan that started 1st grade.  We also have a crested gecko named Speedy and a "Borderier" named Daisy.  It's a busy life of taekwondo, soccer, and running!

Passions
My family
Teaching
Taking pictures
Exercising (running/Zumba)
Scrapbooking (although it has been a long time....)

Obsessions
Clipart
Fonts
Beach/shelling
Teachers Pay Teachers
"Bettering" my teaching

Favorite Foods/Drinks
Dr. Pepper (when I want a non-diet drink)
Diet Mt. Dew (my coffee of choice...yes...EVERY morning)
Dark chocolate (Kisses)
Cincinatti Chili
Fresh bread

Favorite "School Stuff"
Binders
Power Teaching (Whole Brain Teaching)
Pointers
Dry Erase boards
Debbie Diller's Workstation books
Blogs for the best teaching ideas
My newly themed room posters

So that's me in a nut shell....oh and I am a night owl so I am having a terrible time adjusting to school time versus summer time! 

Be sure to come back and visit my blog for freebies and teaching ideas!