Andrea is our first new blogger from
1.
Name of
blog and link: Reading Toward the Stars
2.
Why did you start blogging? I started blogging because I had followed so
many other blogs and thought, “This would be fun!” I wanted to share the fun things I do with my
students with others. I have not looked
back, and it has made me a better teacher because of it!
3.
Tell us a
little about your teaching background.
I
started out 16 years ago as a long term sub in a fourth grade classroom, where
I got a contract for the next year. I
have been there ever since, moving to third grade for eight years, then back to
fourth for one year. I finally have my
dream job as a Reading Specialist, which I have been doing for a year and a
half. I love every minute of it!
4.
What songs are
included on the soundtrack to your life?
I would have to say “Home” by Phillip Phillips (see the hardest thing I
have ever done below). Another song that
would describe some of my feelings in life is “Fruitcakes” by Jimmy
Buffett. Of course, I love Jimmy, but
this one just takes the “fruit”cake!
And, we can’t forget Bon Jovi, Poison, and Def Leppard who got me
through high school!
5.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? The hardest thing I have ever done is stay in
college in Virginia when my parents moved back to Louisiana. I refused to go, even though I was the one
who didn’t want to move to VA in the first place. I had started my college career and did not
want to start over or move back to Louisiana, even though my entire extended
family was there. It was the best decision
of my life! I have the perfect job, a
wonderful husband I would have never met,
and a family of friends I wouldn’t trade for anything!
6.
What’s your favorite TV show?
Hands down ~ The Middle! They make me feel like a great Mom, even
though I am far from perfect! I also
love to watch The Amazing Race and live vicariously through the racers.
7.
Are you a Times New Roman or DJ Inkers kind of
girl and why? DJ Inkers! It is just so much fun to have different
fonts. Now I don’t even look at the
fonts available on Microsoft products. I
go right for the ones I downloaded and use them.
8.
Number of candles that appeared on your last
birthday cake? I didn’t have a birthday
cake, but it would have had 37.
9.
What was the last book you read? C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton. I am reading the series, and it is so fun to
go back to a time I remember with no cell phones or internet. It is a wonder anyone could solve crimes!!
10.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? I HATE cleaning the bathrooms. Yuck!!!
What lurks in corners when you have an eight year old boy in the house? It is becoming his new chore!
Our second new blogger is Melissa from
1.
Name of
blog and link:
2.
Why did you start blogging?
I actually started blogging 5
years ago when I started teaching. This
was a blog that I used in my classroom to share information with parents. I also made it interactive and had
assignments on there for students to complete.
They would leave their answers in the comment section. This made integrating technology and
developing a home-school connection a lot easier!
Over the summer of 2012, I spent a lot of time on Pinterest, which lead me to other teacher bloggers. I really enjoyed the format of their blogs and liked seeing ideas that were actually used in the classroom. I started my teacher blog as a way to connect with these teachers and collaborate.
Over the summer of 2012, I spent a lot of time on Pinterest, which lead me to other teacher bloggers. I really enjoyed the format of their blogs and liked seeing ideas that were actually used in the classroom. I started my teacher blog as a way to connect with these teachers and collaborate.
3.
Tell us a
little about your teaching background.
I
have been teaching for five years. When
I graduated in 2008, I obtained a third grade position in a suburb of
Chicago. I also decided to just jump in
and get my master’s right away in Educational Technology. I taught third grade for two years in this
school and was asked by the Principal to move up to fifth. I did this for a year and moved with my
husband to Ohio. I was fortunate enough
to get a position right away in third grade again, where I have been for the
past two years!
4.
What songs are included on
the soundtrack to your life?
I
cant really think of specific songs, but I really like listening to musical
soundtracks!
5.
What’s
the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
The
most difficult thing I ever did was plan and have a wedding, go on a honeymoon,
find a job and move to a different state all at the same time (June 2012).
6.
What’s your favorite TV show?
I
don’t know if I have a specific favorite TV show, but I love all reality
TV. I find it easy to watch while I’m
working on stuff for school. If I get
caught up on something else, it doesn’t feel like I miss anything very
important in the plot. J
7.
Are you a Times New Roman or DJ Inkers kind of
girl and why?
Neither. J I really like Kevin and Amanda fonts. In the past few months, I have actually
designed a lot of my own fonts that I use for the majority of the products that
I list on TpT and use in my classroom.
This way, I get exactly what I want!
8.
Number of candles that appeared on your last
birthday cake?
28
9.
What was the last book you read?
The
Legend of the Poinsetta by Tommie dePoala.
It was part of the Christmas Around the World unit I did right before
school let out for winter break.
10.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Laundry…mostly
because my husband and I are currently living on the 3rd floor of an
apartment and I have to walk down to the first floor to do it. Super inconvenient!
If you are a new blogger and
you'd like to be featured,
just email me!
dml8609@gmail.com
Dana,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for commenting on my blog and letting me know that I was featured. I was looking forward to it all week and completely forgot, so your reminder was a nice surprise! Sorry I forgot to link to it. I'll do it right now! :-)
Melissa