First Day of School for the 25th Time

We all know the first day of school is special no matter what! But this first day was extra special - for the teacher!

Each year before our students return to school, the teachers and staff from our district gather one morning for a "Welcome Back" meeting.  Here, we learn about new initiatives, professional development opportunities as well as what transpired during the summer in the area of research & development.

Besides catching up with fellow educators we haven't seen for a while, my favorite parts of the meeting include recognizing the New staff (who are asked to stand and be welcomed) and celebrating those educators who have been servicing students for 25 years.

This year was a little more exciting than others as this year is MY twenty-fifth year of teaching (as well as about 6 other colleagues!) During the summer I received a letter from the Superintendent of Schools asking if I preferred to be recognized privately or at the meeting.  Anyone who knows me, knows how I feel about teachers being recognized publicly - I'm ALL OVER IT! (Apparently my colleagues were all over it too, as they decided to receive their recognition at the meeting as well!)

(In a field where one's efforts can often lead to feelings of under-appreciation, it's nice to have the opportunity to be validated, especially in front of one's peers.  For newcomers who are starting out their journey in this profession, it's important to see the longevity of their new colleagues, which shows loyalty and dedication.)

Walking down the auditorium isle as my name was called, tears in my eyes, I felt incredible pride at the thought of serving the community (where I grew up!) for the last 25 years!  As I heard the applause and the hooting & hollering (not generally allowed at assemblies in our school) I couldn't help but hope that everyone in that room would one day have the chance to be making that same walk toward the superintendent to receive their 'pin' for 'dedicated service'. 

The celebration has continued (probably because I don't want to let one single moment go by without sharing my excitement with others).  I carry my pin with me and whip it out to show ANYONE who is interested in seeing the recognition one receives after 25 years!  Beyond the pin, I hope people feel the passion, enthusiasm and love I have for being an elementary school teacher after all these years!  After all, it's the BEST profession in the world!

I'll leave you with one last thought.  Saw this Tweet on Twitter at the start of school. Tina sure has it right....

Here are some resources that pertain to the topic of recognizing teachers publicly...

Resources:
The Power of Positive Employee Recognition
Awards, Competitions & Grants for Teachers
Teachers are Heroes - Inforgraphic


(Slate Clipart: OpenClipArt.org)

Liebster Award - Times 2

Last year around this time I was nominated in one of the Edublog Award categories. Although I was a bit disappointed that I was not nominated this year, I was surprised and honored to find that two separate educators selected my blog for the Liebster Award!  The Liebster Award is given by other bloggers to a blogger who has less than 200 followers.  In this way, their blogs will be shared.  Thank you to Stacy at What's New in Room 202 and to Dana at Live Learn Teach for Life!

The rules for the Liebster are as follows:

1. You must post 11 random things about yourself.

2. You must answer the questions that the nominator set for you. 

3. You must create 11 new questions for the people you nominate.

4. You must choose 11 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers to nominate and link them in your post. 

5. No tag backs to the blog that nominated you, but do leave a comment on their post with the URL of your Liebster post.

Random Things About Me:

1. Have held only 3 jobs in my whole life! (A store clerk, an insurance assistant & teacher :))
2. When I visit my folks we always enjoy a cup of hot tea!
3. Before Thanksgiving I always dress up like a Pilgrim woman at school.
4. Went skydiving twice (both on the same day)!
5. My favorite car was my 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo!
6. Love the smell of my sheets after they have been hanging on the clothes line.
7. Will someday apply to be the Iditarod Teacher on the Trail!
8. Pizza is my favorite food - especially Papa Gino's!
9. Sunday nights I "Hang Out" with several other educators from around the US.
10. I love musicals!
11. My favorite thing in the world is spending time with my family!    

Questions from Stacy:

1.  Why did you start blogging? Was introduced to it in Grad School & found it interesting - then took the Edublogs 30 Day Challenge (glad I did too!)

2. How long have you been blogging? Since December 2010

3. What's your favorite post that you've written? No School - All Schools!

4. Any pets? 2 Cats - Striker & SeeSaw

5. Favorite vacation spots? Lake Winnipesauki & Cape Cod

6. Favorite TV show? Modern Family

7. Fears? Small Enclosed Places; Dentist chair

8. Celebrity you resemble most? Ingrid Bergman

9. Favorite quote?A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence stops. Henry B. Adams

10. Wine or beer? Beer

11. Thoughts on country music? I like it! 

Questions from Dana:

1. National or International traveler? National
2. main course or dessert? Main Course
3. What is the best compliment you've gotten from a student or parent? I became a teacher because of you!
4. What is your favorite technology to use in the classroom? I love using Skype with my students
5. ocean or river? Both-but I spend more time on the river!
6. Apple or PC? Apple all the way!
7. What is your favorite first day of school activity? Find a Friend Who....
8. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Carrot Cake
9. If you could travel anywhere where would you go? Alaska
10. Favorite quote? A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence stops. Henry B. Adams
11. beach or mountains? Mountains

Questions to MY nominees:

1. Favorite Book?
2. What is your earliest memory?
3. Favorite Sound?
4. Book or eReader?
5. Last movie you saw at the theater?
6. If you weren't in education - what would you do?
7. Can you speak another language? If so, which one?
8. Favorite subject to teach?
9. Sports team you like to watch?
10. A favorite lesson to teach?
11. Would you rather receive an email or letter in the mail?

Finally, my 11 nominees are:

1. Mrs. White's Class
2. Conversations Learning & Growing  
3. The Connected Teacher
4. Dare to Care
5. Chalk & Slate
6. Math is Elementary 
7. The Sensibly Savy Teacher
8. Wired for Technology
9. wwwatanabe
10. Sing to Learn
11. Creation Castle

Blog Award - Thank You!

The other day I received a surprise Blog

Award from Michelle White of Mrs. White's 5th Grade Class. While I'm not sure I'm deserving of any awards, it was sure nice to receive some positive feedback. So, many thanks Michelle! It came at a most appreciated time!

The awards comes with some rules and responsibilities which includes the following:

1. Follow the person who gave you the award.
2. Link back to the person who gave you the award.
3. Pass the award on to 15 bloggers.

The Versatile Blogger Award Rules:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Include a link to their site.
3. Include the award image in your post.
4. Give 7 random facts about yourself.
5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.
6. When nominating, include a link to their site.

First, I did follow Michelle's blog as she shares all kinds of wonderful lessons and ideas. If you haven't already, please stop by and leave her a comment. Click on the Lady Bugs below.

It's time to nominate the award to the following blogs. Some of these I have been following & some are new to me:

Dare to Care

For the Love of Teaching

The Teaching Thief

Classroom Creations

Tech Talk for Teachers

TeachNLife

Teaching in Room 6

My Teaching Life: In Spurts of Real, Raw and Random Thoughts

Seven Random Facts about me:

1. Many years ago I went skydiving with my brother which ended up being the reason I got hired for my teaching job...I was considered a risk taker!

2. I secretly like to cook (sshhh...don't tell my husband!) and have started a new blog (One Dish Dining)

3. I love to watch the old "Black & White" movies! My favs: Pride & Prejudice & Wuthering Heights.

4. Love to listen to show tunes (and sing along) including My Fair Lady, Wicked, Momma Mia, Oklahoma, and so many more!

5. I just love all four season of New England! Nothing like sweltering heat or frigid blizzards or watching the Patriots in the Fall & Boston Bruins in the winter.

6. Should care about driving the gas guzzler - but I still love my Explorer after 10 years.

7. My family is everything to me!

Edublog Awards 2011 - Nominee

The 2011 Edublog Awards are now in progress!  What a surprise to find out I had been nominated for "Best Ed Tech/Resource Sharing Blog" by Denise Krebs.  Please read her nomination blog HERE!
 

While I have no expectations of winning, I am thrilled, honored and humbled to be nominated alongside so many wonderful educators.  To be listed among the ranks of educators like Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers), Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano (Langwitches), Lisa Nielsen (The Innovative Educator), and so many others whose blogs and resources I often use in my own posts takes my breath away.

Why it was only just one year ago that I really began my blogging journey.  The post at that time was reflecting upon an experience my students had in the classroom.  In that post I shared one or two links for my readers.  From that time forward I have tried to include a host of resources that enhance the topic of my posts. 

Should you feel compelled to VOTE for me (no email required), please visit the Edublog Awards Blog and select the category Best Ed Tech/Resource Blog and find Teaching is Elementary.  Please vote for my friend, Denise Krebs, for Best Teacher Blog, Dare to Care, while you are there as she is a wonderful teacher who inspires so many!

Even if you don't vote, please visit the Edublog Award site anyway, as you are sure to find several new and interesting blogs to follow!