Liebster Award nomination

I am so very honored to be nominated for the Liebster Award by Christina from
Christina's Kinder Blossoms!  Thank you so much, Christina! 

This award is for bloggers who have less than 200 followers but have great content and potential. You can learn more about me by reading on!

Why and how long ago did you start blogging?

I  began blogging in February. I taught kindergarten for 16 years in a private school. I had always dreamed of teaching in a public school.  My dream finally came true but it was much harder than I expected.  Private and public schools are so different.  I work with some amazing colleagues who are truly remarkable at what they do.  In many ways, it left me feeling substandard.  I started a blog as a way for me to reflect on what I do in my classroom. To be brutally honest- I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, that I earned this, and that I do have something of value to contribute. I blogged to share my thoughts, feelings and reflections as I worked myself through feeling unsure, insecure and frankly- scared to death.  Looking back at those older posts, I can't believe how far I've come.  What a blessed journey this has been!

What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?

Collaboration. I love, love, love what I do.  Teaching for me is as much a hobby as it is my profession. I love learning more about myself and from others.  In many posts I share the work of other teachers,products they have made in action in my classroom, and ideas and strategies I have learned from others.  We are so fortunate to be in a field where people just naturally collaborate.  I have learned more from other teachers that I ever did in college.

 Is there something you learned late in your blog journey you wished you knew before?

 

 

I wish I knew how to design my own blog that included the features I needed.  I have added a lot of things along the way.  It would be great to learn how it all works so I could do it myself someday. 

What is your favorite past time other than blogging?

I really love to read.  I wish I had more time to do it.  I have 3 boys 11, 9, and 8, a dog, 2 cats, work full time and well...we all do.  Who has the time?  I try to make time for it though because I love how reading takes you to other places.

How many hours per week do you dedicate to your blog?

That's a good question. I'm not really sure.  Maybe 2 hours.

 

 What category of blog posts do you enjoy the most?

I love learning new strategies for teaching something. I love sharing what has worked for me and learning what works from others.  Lately I am blogging a lot about using a math workshop model. Last year, when a teacher on my grade level team mentioned that she wanted to try I remember feeling panic.  Oh Lordy!  I had all I could do to keep up with the math curriculum.  How in the world was I going to tweek it to turn it into a workshop model. I thought "there's NO WAY, I'm doing that!  Ain't nobody got time for that!"  Now a year later, I can't believe I'm doing it and....that I love it! 

Where does your blog inspiration come from?

It's really just an expression of what I'm doing everyday. Sharing what I do and sharing what I'm learning along the way.

Which post that you've written are you most proud of?

My post called "Reflections".  It's a very honest reflection on my teaching journey. Actually, it was quite therapeutic to write.  I still feel very hurt by how my former employer treated me when I left the private school and went to public.  Perhaps, I always will be.

Is there any post you have been planning to do, 

but have postponing it for a while now?

My district is shifting towards a balanced literacy approach.  I'm looking forward to blogging about that journey and how it's going as I "learn the ropes."

What is your favorite aspect of blogging?

I love the collaboration and the friends I have made along the way.  I love being able to learn more about myself and from others. I love being able to express myself creatively.

Which recipe, project, or idea on my blog would 
you be most likely to try yourself?

I am definitely going to try the number bonds that Cristina has on her site. I have never taught addition this way but I think it's an excellent way of doing so.  I love trying new technique!

 

My Nominations are:

 

1. Missy from Dirt Road Teacher

2. Lisa from Pawsitively Learning

3. Marissa from The Inspired Owl

4. Laura from A Grace Filled Classroom
5. Amna from Teach to Reach
6.Mary from A Classroom Full of Smiles
7. Laureen from Teach with Laughter
8.Leah from Grasty's Goodies
9. Meghan from Keeping up with Mrs. Harris
10.Amy Marie from The Unique Classroom
11.Heather from The Busy Busy Hive

To those who have been nominated, here are the "official" rules for accepting:
1. In your post, link back to the blogger who nominated you as a thank you and "shout out." (Follow their blog if you haven't already!)  
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you (the ones I answered above).
3. Nominate 11 blogs of your choice that each have less than 200 followers. Provide them with 11 questions to answer or have them answer the questions above.
4. Let your nominees know that they've been nominated and provide them with a link to your post so that they can accept.
5. Send your nominator a link to your post so that s/he can learn more about you as well! (You can just put your post link in the comments below!)