An Award? For my little ol' blog?!

 This morning I was pleasantly surprised when I checked my email! Not only did I have more followers! I'm up to 33 - Whoohooo! But, a new follower nominated my blog for the Liebster Award for New Blogs!I was shocked and honored all at 7:00 am this morning... what a way to start your day, right?!

 

To claim this award I must:

1. Link back to the blog that nominated me

2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers

3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator

4. Share 11 random facts about yourself

5. Create 11 questions for your nominees

6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

Thank you Emily at Style Closet to Classroom! I absolutely adore your blog! I love being able to join in the discussion this summer via great linky parties! It's such a blessing to be able to connect with other teachers around the country. Thanks again!

When, I started blogging, I thought it be a good hobby for me, instead of adding another TV show to my DVR! I never thought it'd turn out to be such a rewarding experience! THANK YOU!

I am nominating 5 blogs for this award as well :) Go check out their blogs too! They all have fabulous information and resources!

Kim @ Literacy Sundae
Mrs. Crockett @ Mrs. Crockett's Cupcakes
Linda @ Tales of a Fifth Grade Teacher
Kasey @ Middle School Teacher to Literacy Coach
Chelsea @ Fifth Grade Whit and Whimsy

Questions to answer....

1. How long have you been teaching? This will be my 7th year teaching! My first year crew graduates high school this year... Oh my goodness!
 

2. What technology do you use in your classroom? I'm blessed to have a SMARTboard, 4 laptops, and my desktop computer in my classroom at all times. We use them DAILY! We also have an iPad cart that is available to check out :) 

3. If you could go on a dream vacation where would you go? ALASKA! It's been my dream to go Alaska since I wrote a report in 4th grade on Denali National Park. I'm really hoping to get there one day and explore the National Parks and hopefully take a cruise.

4. How many items do you have on TpT or TN? I don't have very many. TPT is more of a hobby for me than anything else. I mostly have some Social Studies and ELA "I Can" statements. I think I have 17 total products available.

5. What is one piece of clothing in your closet that you could never ever get rid of? My hockey jersey! I'm a huge Columbus Blue Jackets fan and I could never part with my Rick Nash jersey! It's even signed before he was traded to New York.

6. If you could change one thing about teaching what would it be? The fact that so many government officials and state legislatures make decisions about teaching when they are not teachers. Unless you are in the classroom every day putting in the time - it's hard to really understand students, test scores, etc.

7.  Iphone or Droid? iPhone!

8.  If you were stranded on a desert island and you could only bring 3 things..what would they be? Flint, an American Literature anthology, and a tarp! I've watched enough seasons of Survivor and Survivor Man to know that you don't need a lot to survive --- however, I need fire and shelter (I hate being wet), plus you need something to keep you busy. A nice thick volume of American literature should at least pass a few hours of my time!

9. Have you ever been abroad to another country? I went to Ireland when I was in college! It was an amazing experience and hope to go back and visit one day!

10. What was your favorite children's book OR if you had to choose one favorite book our of your classroom library now--what would it be and why? I have two favorite middle school novels. The complete nerd in my loves The Giver because it's a great fantasy story with some deep questions on society and morality. I also love Maniac Magee because it's a "fun" story with such a serious message. I'm pretty sure I've read Maniac Magee at least 15 times by now!

11.  When did you decide to become a teacher and why? From a very young age I would play school with my younger cousins. I wavered between and art teacher and a "regular" teacher in elementary school but I always knew that I loved school. School was a great place and I wanted to be apart of it forever! Plus, I love books and history... I get to read books and talk about history - what a great job! In college after doing several observations, I knew middle school is where I belong! It's definitely never boring!  


My Eleven Random Facts....

 1. I love country music and 90's music! I went to see Matchbox Twenty and Goo Goo Dolls this summer and it was like a dream-come-true-concert! It was a great way to relive my junior high years! I'm going to see Blake Shelton in a just a few weeks and in September I'm really wanting to see Darius Rucker perform!

2. I have two dogs that I love dearly! I'm definitely a bit of a crazy dog person... Iggy is my scared of everything Italian Greyhound and Mikka is my fearless Jack Russell mix! They are quiet the dynamic duo!

3. I am a little bit obessed with Clarks shoes! I own sandals, Mary Janes, boots, etc. They are the best shoes for teaching... my feet never hurt and they are usually pretty adorable!

4.  I really wish we had a teacher uniform policy! It'd make my mornings so much easier!

5. Big Brother and So You Think You Can Dance are my summer reality shows. I'm rooting for the Amanda & McCrae showmance! Don't judge.

6. My favorite "teacher" school supply is my personal paper cutter! I use it ALL the time!

7.  I completely believe you can't take a vacation or a good road trip without car snacks! It's the one time eating junk food doesn't seem to bad! Bungles and spray cheese are always top on my list!

8. My favorite place to hang-out on the weekend is at the Cincinnati Zoo. I love walking around the zoo - taking pictures and enjoying the animals. It was a big deal when you were able to finally feed the giraffes. It was like a dream come true!

9. I signed up for a boot camp style workout class at that meets at 5:30 am. I start after our vacation ... what was I thinking?

10. I love Cheers to Art (a local business) where you can go have a glass of wine and paint! It's amazing! They walk you through everything step by step or you can create your own masterpiece! It's a great stress relief after a long week of teaching, testing, life, etc. I made these tulips with my mom on Mother's Day!

11. I really want to teach myself code so I can design amazing looking blogs in my free time! I've always loved technology but I just need to have the patience to sit down and learn something new. I've done a good job so far updating my blog - but I still notice the imperfections ;)

Questions for my nominees.... 

1. How long have you been teaching?
2. What are your thoughts on grades?
3. What's your favorite picture book to use in the classroom?
4. Where's your sweet spot (store) for finding great school supplies?
5. What's the one school supply you can't live without?
6. What's your favorite-can't-miss-a-single-episode TV show?
7. What your favorite school memory?
8. Biggest pet peeve?
9. If you could take a dream vacation, where would you go?
10. What's on your MP3 player right now?
11. What's the best teaching advice you were ever given?

Can't wait to see everyone who links up! Make sure to support new blogs! I know I've only been blogging a short time... I can't even fathom 100 followers, but I love the idea of getting to meet new people and share ideas! I've already learned so much!