Some of you might remember the Thursday Three. No? I barely do. It was my attempt at showcasing three bloggers and three of their products. I like introducing you to bloggers, but that one wound up being like 2 hours of work (not kidding) and wasn't as fun as I wanted it to be. So, I've decided to do one per week. Each Monday, I'll introduce you to a teacher-blogger and give you a little sneak peek into their teaching life, show you some of their FREE and paid products, and host a little giveaway at the end of the post. :) First up.....
 | About:Grade: 1st Location: Georgia Blogging for: 6 Months Teaching for: 11 years... same grade... same room | Links: |
What do you like best about the grade you teach? Least?
"My favorite things about first grade have to be listening to how 6 and 7 year old kids communicate and watching them learn to write interesting, funny stories. Almost everything is new and exciting to them. They love to learn and if you make it fun, they have no clue they are learning."
"My least favorite thing about first grade is teaching students how to count money. This seems to be the hardest thing in the world for them to learn."
"My least favorite thing about first grade is teaching students how to count money. This seems to be the hardest thing in the world for them to learn."
What are your strengths as a teacher? Weaknesses?
"My strengths are I'm a leader, I'm creative, and I'm a perfectionist."
"My weaknesses are I'm a pleaser, the word "No" isn't in my vocabulary, and I analyze everything."
"My weaknesses are I'm a pleaser, the word "No" isn't in my vocabulary, and I analyze everything."
What has been your most embarrassing teacher moment?
"My most embarrassing moment would have to be from a few years ago. I was playing kickball with my kids and was running for home. One of my kids got in front of me and the only way to not hurt him was to dive over him. That's not a huge deal when you are 16, but at 30 it was painful. He started crying because he thought he took out the teacher. I seem to be accident prone. I manage to fall at least once a year."
If you could change only one thing about your classroom, what would it be? (more room is obvious... haha)
"I would have an iPad for every kid in my classroom. I love my workspace and can honestly say it is exactly how I want it."
How much time do you spend planning? How often?
"I want to say I spend a few hours throughout the week planning. I don't usually do it all in one day. Plus, it never fails that I throw in a few extra activities that I find on Pinterest or blogs during the weekend."
What's the one part of your job that you dislike the most?
"Papers!!! I hate grading papers, homework folders, and anything else that requires checking and rechecking. I think some days I spend more time doing paperwork than anything else."
How do you see your role as a "teacher" changing in the next 5 years?
"I think I will continue to move towards doing more hands on lessons and small group teaching. I still think that there is a time to do whole group lessons, but over the last few years I've realized how much more my students seem to grasp when I follow whole group lessons with center activities."
"That's where I've really enjoyed Daily 5. It gives me the opportunity to do more small group instruction because so much of Daily 5 allows students to work independently. I can honestly say I didn't think it would work with first graders, but once I learned how to make it fit my own classroom, it has worked great."
"That's where I've really enjoyed Daily 5. It gives me the opportunity to do more small group instruction because so much of Daily 5 allows students to work independently. I can honestly say I didn't think it would work with first graders, but once I learned how to make it fit my own classroom, it has worked great."
If you had the chance to add a certification (or skill) to your list of credentials, what would it be?
"If I could add another certification, I'd go back and get my specialist in leadership or in instructional technology."
If you weren't in education, what would you be doing?
"Wow! I have no idea! I've wanted to be a teacher since I was seven. I feel like I'm getting paid to do what I've wanted to do my entire life. I guess if I wasn't a teacher, I would have been a coach or a missionary. I would have to do something where I'm helping people."
Favorite Quote:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." | "One of my parents gave this to me 6 years ago and I've had it taped under my school keyboard since then. It just always reminds me of what really matters in life. If I focus on these things then everything else will fall into place." |
Morning person or night owl?
"Night Owl"
How do you keep your sanity? Or do you?
"The best way thing I do to keep my sanity is probably having a Coke a day and playing mindless games on my iPad. Oh, and hitting softballs. It's amazing how much that can release a little tension and stress."
The most valuable piece of teacher advice I've received...
"The world will keep going even if you take a day to do something for yourself. You will never have it all done. It's okay to work towards getting it all done, but put your family, friends, and those you love first because lesson plans, papers, and school will always be there. Those you love could be gone in a heartbeat."
Some of Faith's Products I like:
Giveaway Time!
I hope you all have enjoyed getting to meet Faith a little more! Now it's time for a giveaway. 3 Winners will receive the two prizes below. All you need to do is enter via the PunchTab box below. The giveaway will end tonight (Monday) at midnight (Pacific time), so be sure to enter before then! Good luck!
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