Blog Hoppin'

Tell us a little something about you...

I am a Kindergarten Teacher, a grad student, a daughter, a sister, a godmother and more!

I am in a graduate program for Special Education and Teaching English Language Learners. I went straight through summers and breaks from 9/09 to 5/11. I had to take the summer off to deal with a medical mystery that ended in surgery and am scheduled to go back in Sept. I don't want to. I forgot what free time was and now I don't want to give it up!!! 1 more year, I can do it!!!

Randomness:
*I love crafting, which I forgot during grad school.
*I live with my parents (see more under "You might not know"
*I have two black cats who drive me bonkers and I am allergic to (I knew that when I got them)
*I am allergic to EVERYTHING it seems like. It actually makes my students more aware of other's allergies and to look out for others.
*I am no good at blogging! I am working on it.
*I am the oldest of 4 kids

How long have you been teaching?

I have been teaching for a paycheck for over 6 years and at the same school for about five years (9/27/11, 5 year anniversary). My first year I taught preschool at a private daycare then took a position as a lead preschool teacher in a classroom with two other teachers at a non-profit agency for at-risk and low-income families. After 9 months there (we are year round) the kindergarten teacher retired, much to my excitement. I always wanted to teach kindergarten!!!!
I have been the lead kindergarten teacher for 4 years and have worked with another teacher for 4.5 years. Together we have gone through over 100 students and three other teachers (oops).



You might not know...

*I had my gallbladder out last month!
*I was engaged but ended a 5-year relationship when he decided he didn't want children. I had to move back in with my parents to manage finances and grad school.
*I have two blogs! Where's My Soda?
*This is my first time linking


What are you looking most forward to this school year?

A fresh start, 20 new students, 3 old (I have pre-kinders if I have open slots) and a new co-teacher. Also, my teacher partner of 4.5 years is having a baby in October!


What do you need to improve?

I want to work on making circle/calendar time more beneficial to the students.
I want to manage my time and commitments better.


What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?

hmmm, notebooks and pencils, dry erase boards

All About ME

Me, Me, Me... It's all about me... not in a classroom of 23 five- and six-year-olds.

I teach Kindergarten at a non profit agency that focuses on at-risk and low-income families.  I love what I do but it is not your traditional Kindergarten.  More on that later!

I am 28 and 1 week old at this moment and am seriously a little confused about how my personal life got to where it is now, but that is not what I want you to know...

Here are some things I do want you to know

*I am the oldest of 4 children
*My family is lower-middle class but growing up I did not notice
*I have a BS in Early Childhood Education and Child Psychology
*I am working on a Masters in Special Education and English Language Learners
*I care deeply about what I do in my classroom and for my children
*I have different colored hair... every few month I change the colors and placement of the different pieces... currently I have pink and purple highlights front and center
When I tell people I teach Kindergarten they ALWAYS SAY "With purple hair???"
*I am a perfectionist in my classroom
*I can be tough to work with.  My center is set up to have three teachers in each classroom (awesome, I know!) in a hierarchy and I have a reputation for being.... tough
*In my classroom I am the top of the hierarchy and I have high expectations for those who work in my classroom, not unreasonable, not unfounded, just high.  Do it right or don't do it.
*I refer to "My Kids"... I am single and have no children, My Kids are the 23 that I work with 40+ hours a week
*I try to make learning fun, engaging and meaningful while teaching them what they need to know to be successful after leaving me
*I am approaching my 5-year anniversary at this center