Once I decided to take the plunge and start my own blog I knew right away I did not want my site to always be about me or my business. After all, I spend enough time with myself and quite frankly I get on my own nerves {I mean seriously what’s up with the nervous laugh that I always do in conversations with strangers when I don’t catch or understand what they said to me? Is it that hard to ask them to repeat themselves}? So one of my goals is to share the lives, journey, and creativeness of other women! Therefore, in honor of Teacher’s Appreciation Week I decided to highlight three terrific gals who are busy at work every day educating our future doctors, CEOs, or perhaps, even the President of the United States. So with out further adeiu I introduce to you……….
Jennifer
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am an EL teacher in the morning for K-4 students, and a mom of 2 children in the afternoon. I have been teaching for 6 years and I absolutely love it!
What is the toughest part about being a teacher?
I work in a school where students are not always cared for the way I think they should be.
I have many kids that I would love to bring home with me and show them how fun and carefree it really is to be a child.
What is your favorite part about being a teacher?
I love that every day is different and brings new challenges. Of course, the most rewarding part of each day is watching my students learn.
When you and your fellow teachers get together outside of school what do you guys like to do for entertainment? Or to relax?
We love to order pizza and breadsticks from Papa John's and watch Glee!
If we were to ask your students what they think about you what do you think they would say?
They would say that I am a fun teacher that really cares about them. Some of them would probably say that I am old too!
DeAnna
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am married to my husband Ed who I met at Purdue. We have a 19 month old son (Andrew) and a daughter due this July. I attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and obtained my Bachelors degree in elementary education. I have my Masters in Reading and Literacy from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. I like spending time with my family and friends, hosting and organizing get togethers and being outside. I am a primary Reading Specialist for grades Kindergarten through 2nd. I have taught for 9 years.
What is the toughest part about being a teacher?
The toughest part about being a teacher is seeing some of the home lives your students come to you from. It is very difficult some days to hear what some students say because you know if they are telling you it is constantly on their minds.
What is your favorite part about being a teacher?
I love teaching students how to read and write. I love when I can tell that they finally learned a new word and are able to read a book to me on their own. Also, I love when former students come back and say hello and let me know how they are doing since I last saw them.
When you and your fellow teachers get together outside of school what do you guys like to do for entertainment? Or to relax?
I organize a lot of the get togethers with a group of teachers and retired teachers from my school. We love to go shopping, get pedicures, or just out for dinner. It is fun to talk outside of the school setting about what is going on in our lives since the school day is so busy we never get a chance to chat. Also, I have another group of friends at the same school who all have kids. It is fun to get our kids together and watch them play or go to story time at the local library.
If there was one thing you wish your kids would take away from the education you provided them what would it be?
I would want them to remember to never give up and they can accomplish anything. I would also want them to know how proud I am of them and that I believe in them.
Kira
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am 30 years old, married with a 2 year old son. I teach Geometry and SAT Preparation classes, grades 9-12. I have been teaching for 8 years.
What is the toughest part about being a teacher? The hardest part about being a teacher is the fact that I work all day long, I try to stay after school to help students, I take home papers to grade or lesson plans to make each night, and I rarely get to see my hard work pay off. Students bounce from one class to another, and by the time they graduate, I can’t remember when I had them in class, what I had them for or what grade they got. The Indiana government has also made public school teachers feel like they are doing a poor job and that they are replaceable. So, the hardest part for me is remaining confident in my career choice and confident in my ability to help student learn.
If we were to ask your students what they think about you what do you think they would say?
I think they would say I explain things well and I give lots of examples (at least that’s what they tell me when they try to get switched back into my class at the end of a trimester) I also think they would tell you that I am fair in my grading and my classroom management. In my room, the students know, they have to follow the rules, but they also know that I am not going to over-react over something small. (I’ve definitely learned to pick my battles.) Finally, I would say that they think I am a friendly teacher, someone they can trust and talk to.
Did you have a teacher who inspired you when you were school? How did they leave an impression?
Yes, my 7th grade math teacher (Joe Starkey) made me realize that I wanted to teach math. Up to that point, I only knew that I wanted to teach, but I had no idea what or what grade level. I remember having so much fun in his class that I forgot that I was learning or doing work. He came up with interesting projects for us to do in between the note-taking, homework and tests. Also, his personality made the “boring” days enjoyable. He was fun to talk to and he treated his students as people that he genuinely respected and cared about. Every day I try to be like him!
When you and your fellow teachers get together outside of school what do you guys like to do for entertainment? Or to relax?
A lot of my co-worker friends are involved in extra-curricular activities at the school, as was I before I had my son. We spent most of our “free” time attending games, concerts, plays, etc. After the event, we would go out to eat dinner or go to a bar to have some drinks and listen/dance to music. I also gave “Girls Night Out” with some coworkers that have young kids and we’ll go to lunch/dinner, a movie or shopping. We also have play dates if we cannot find sitters.
Thank to all of these ladies for sharing a glimpse into their classrooms!
If your still looking for a fun teacher’s gift idea check
out my easy corkboard flowerpot tutorial here
out my easy corkboard flowerpot tutorial here
Or better yet perhaps you’d like to read about my experience as
a teacher for a full 180 days! Unlike, these ladies I won’t be winning
any “Teacher of the Year” awards anytime soon.
Check out my educational adventure here
a teacher for a full 180 days! Unlike, these ladies I won’t be winning
any “Teacher of the Year” awards anytime soon.
Check out my educational adventure here
