My Teacher Story

As far back as I can remember, I had a desire to be a teacher. As a matter of fact, when I was in second grade, I wrote a book to my family for a Christmas gift (I shared this in a previous post).

I had some amazing teachers while I was in grade school. I also had some pretty crappy ones. I remember being laughed at when I tried out for a part in a play. They didn't know I was still out in the hallway when they started laughing about how awful I was. It was pretty crushing for me and I never ever tried out for anything EVER again!! I think the crappy teachers were the ones that made my desire to become a teacher even stronger!


The journey to become a teacher though, was a long one. I was raised in a large family. We were very poor, but we had lots of love!

I always knew that if I wanted to go to college, I would have to pay for it. I'm not sure why I never applied for scholarships, probably because I of my fear of being rejected!!! So... after I graduated from high school, I quit my Tastee Freez job (which I absolutely loved) and found a job making $431 a month!! I was rich. I bought clothes, jewelry, shoes (oh my!!!), traveled, saved money, wasted money, etc. After about 8 years I was done. I hated my job and so I cashed in all my savings and thrift plan money and moved off to go to college at Central State University (which is now The University of Central Oklahoma).

 

Two years later I was broke. But I did have a a start to the education I needed to become a teacher!!!


Fast forward several years. I married the most wonderful man in the entire world. 

He started a new business shortly after we were married and money was tight nonexistent.   I worked for a few years, but I still had that burning desire to teach.  He could tell how unhappy I was and so he encouraged me to go after my dream. So, I did!  A few years later I graduated from Oklahoma State University.

I did my student teaching at the same school that I am currently teaching at. The first two years I only worked a 1/2 day. During those two years, I never really felt like it was MY classroom. Finally, I was hired full-time and that is when I realized my dream had come true.  I was a teacher!

And that my blogging friends is my teacher  story...and I'm sticking to it!

If you haven't already linked up to Janaye over at Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes for this linky party, click on her button to see how. I would love to hear your story too.

Reading Street - Sam Come Back

Kim over at First Grade is 'Toad' ally Awesome is having a giveaway that ends in a few hours.   She created a packet for the Sam, Come Back ~ which is the first story in the Reading Street.  If you use this series, you might want to make your way over there and sign up.  Even if you don't use this series, show her some love and go check her blog out.  It is cute!  

Keeping My Fingers Crossed!!!!

I am so tired of looking at my blog.    I've tried several times to figure out how to change it to something I like, but so far... nothing!!!   It's sad... I don't even know what my dream blog would look like.  My class theme has been dogs, and dogs are a delight... so maybe something to do with cute puppies.  


I was excited to see that Ms. Fultz is giving some lucky person (keep your fingers crossed for me!!!)  a custom design!  Oh me goodness!  It would almost be like winning a lottery!! 


One of her conditions is that you have to blog about her giveaway... so I am!!! But I'm not liking it!    If you have a beautiful blog already just tell me at the bottom that you hope I win... and ignore the possibility of winning a new design for yourself.  Otherwise, click on the picture below. If you win, it's okay... I'll get over it!

Shhh!!! These Are My Guilty Pleasures

When I first saw this linky party, I almost passed it up.  I immediately thought I didn't have any guilty pleasures.    But I have to confess.  I do!!!  Then I began to debate whether they could be shared or not.  Am I safe to share them???  Will you tell???  Pinky swear you won't, or just totally ignore this post.

I love to sing and I have a karoake machine that I absolutely love.  I think I can carry a tune most of the time, but there are those moments when I'm all by myself (well except for the dogs) and I become a star like you wouldn't believe.  My dogs are my audience of course, but their ears make all sorts of movements.  I probably should keep my teaching job, because I notice they never stay around too long after I pick up my microphone.    

During the summer, I love to take little power naps.  Okay, maybe they are more than little power naps, but it's summer and I need to rest up for the upcoming school year! 

My absolute favorite type of candy is Twizzlers.  Oh my goodness.  I seriously love them.  One of these days I'm going to have to stop eating them.  I simple can't control myself.  They disappear and I seriously look around thinking that I dropped some of them on the floor.  I'm done with them.  I promise never to eat it again

                                           ...until next time.  

Blogging.  I feel like a sponge that trying to absorb everything that the blogging world has to offer.   I love every minute of it.  But I end up spending way way way too much time on my couch.  In fact, I'm afraid there is a permanent imprint on my couch (I hope my hubby hasn't noticed!!)    Is there such a thing as being a blogaholic.  Is it possible to follow too many people?  I may need help on this one.  Professional help!  I'm not kidding!

I have yet another guilty pleasure. Do you watch White Collar with Matt Bomer!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!! He is a such a cutie. Would you just look at those beautiful eyes!!! Gorgeous!! However, I must admit that this guilty pleasure somehow doesn't quite feel right anymore. I'm going to blame it on being blindsided recently and seeing him in a movie that I can't even believe I sat through. Let's just say I'm trying to deal with it!

Now it's your turn. Get yourself on over to The Resource Room Teacher blog and link up with the rest of us bloggers who are openly admitting their guilty pleasures.

Must Have Picture Books Linky Party

I absolutely love picture books!  I switched rooms with my bestest teaching buddy at the end of the year, and I was shocked how many books are in my library that are mine!!!!   Wow!!!  I'm not even going to tell my husband about that!  While I was unpacking them, I found myself reading them.  No wonder it took so long to unpack my room!  

The Teacher Wife is having a Picture Book Linky Party. I almost decided not to link up because I know what it will happen. I need to be strong! I cannot afford anymore books! Seriously!

I want you to know that it was extremely tough for me to only pick a few books!!! After several hours of picking and changing my mind... here are ONLY 5 of my favorite books:

Underwear is one of my favorite picture books. I look forward to reading it at the beginning of each school year. It is a fun read-aloud which the students love! After reading the book, the students become very creative as they dress their zebra in their choice of underwear. It's amazing what items they come up with to decorate their zebra's underwear. If you would like a copy of the pattern we use click here.

I didn't discover Round Trip until I was in college.  It quickly became one of my favorite picture books.   The entire book is in black and white.  When you reach what you think is the end of the book, you flip it over and continue reading the story.   Each time I read this book, the students are amazed when I turn the book over and continue reading.  I love watching their faces!!  This book disappears quickly off the shelf and the children love looking at the pictures.

Silver Packages is definitely a book that you will want as a part of your library.  I cry every time I read this book!  It is a Christmas story, but not the typical story that is often read.  It is a story about giving back and appreciating what we have.  

Charlie the Ranch Dog is an adorable book that my students LOVE!  He lives on a ranch, with Susie (his terrier friend). Ranch life is hard work and Charlie makes sure that Susie does her job right!!     My students think this book is hilarious! When I read this to my students, it just seems natural to read it like a cowboy would. 

Last, but definitely still one of my favorites is Pete the Cat. After listening to a video on YouTube, this book quickly became a favorite of mine. I had it pretty bad, my husband thought I had lost it. The words were in my head and they wouldn't leave!!! I quickly ordered the book and shared with my first grade students. They quickly fell in love with Pete too.     Will I ever stop reading this book to my students? "Goodness No!"

Now it's your turn.   What are your favorite picture books?   Click on the button below to link up!!  

 

A Teacher's Wisdom

Today I am linking up with Deb from Fabulously First and her Teacher's Wisdom Linky Party.

Here's my words of wisdom:

Come and join everyone at the party.   You can link up to by clicking here!  I look forward to reading more wonderful advice from everyone!

Lottery Winner! & Giveaways

Don't you just love getting these types of messages in your emails? 

Your email address has brought you an unexpected luck,Your e-mail address was selected and confirmed by our co-sponsor of Euro Millions Lottery. Your email has subsequently won you the sum of 1,350,000.00 Euro.  Contact Blah Blah Blah.... @ Blah Blah Blah... to claim.  It's because of these types of email that I almost trashed one that was very important!!


Is is wrong to say I love winning?? I recently won a Teacher’s Kit from the Harry’s Big Adventure. Bugs of any kind have a tendency to scare me, but I think I can use this little kit and not be too freaked out! Here are just a few items that were in my kit.  Doesn't it look awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking of winning!  Wouldn't you just love to win a 16GB iPad from Teacher Created Resources????  I know most of you already have one, so you might just want to skip on over this giveaway.  Or... you could send it to me if you happen to win it!!!   Why don't you hop on over there and sign up.  The giveaway ends September 30th!

There are quite an abundance of giveaways in blogger's land!  I hope that you will take the time to enter them!  Here are just a few that you might be interested in.


Kristi & Crystal over at Teaching Little Miracles is celebrating 50+ followers.  Click on their button for an opportunity to win a pencil sharpener or a $25 gift card to MPM School Supplies.  

Stacy over at Simpson's Superstars is having her first FIRST GIVEAWAY. There are 15 winners from 15 different bloggers all from the state of Florida! Show her some love and make your way over there!

Teacher-ific in 2nd Grade is a brand new blog that is already having an awesome giveaway!!  Show them some love and give them a follow. While you are there don't forget to sign up to win a $25 Target Gift Card!!!  

First with Franklin is having a freebie linky party & a giveway.  Head over there to link up and to sign up for a $20 Amazon gift card!!

Learning is Something to Treasure is also having a huge giveaway!  It end soon so get yourself over there before it's over!  

005 Watkins' Way is celebrating 100 followers by giving away two shopping sprees ($20 & $10) to her TPT store.  Shopping at home is my kinda shopping! Click on her button to enter.

Yet another giveaway is happening over at Life in First Grade. If you would like a chance to win an Easi Speak USB Recorder then head on over there to enter.








Good luck everyone!

July Currently

I'm deeply saddened that it's time for the July Currently. Normally I look forward to Farley's Currently but this one came way too quickly. The July Currently can only mean one thing... June is gone!!!!!!  A month of my summer break is over!!! Yes...I am way beyond sad!!!

 

Okay, I'm over my hissy fit and can now post my Currently.  

Now it's your turn! Make your way over to Oh Boy Fourth Grade & link up.


See you there!