The Lesson Plan Diva Giveaway

Wow, this is a great giveaway! The Lesson Plan Diva is giving her beginning sounds activity pack to everyone who participates for free! Yes, I said it was free!!

Just hop on over to The Lesson Plan Diva's blog for the rules.

I know I can't wait to get mine. :)

Books for Character Education

I have said it before and I will say it again - I love to teach kids about character education! I find too often that students come to school without any understanding of what the word respect is. When asked to define it they typically just give me a shoulder shrug or roll their eyes. Don't you just love the eye roll? That's the "I know what it is, but don't want to admit it because I know I'm not doing it" look.

I am interested in your opinion on the best picture books to use to teach character education to kindergarten through third grade. If you know of great books that would fit this topic, you have or know of great teaching resources like lessons or units, please pass along the info.

I am working on my masters degree, spending too much time playing useless games on FB, and need to re-direct my focus back to education. I want to focus my love of literacy and character education into creating mini-lessons for other teachers.

Have any ideas? Please pass them along! Thanks everyone!

Mrs. Randall's Learning Library

Mrs. Randall's Learning Library

To celebrate her 300+ followers, Mrs. Randall is holding a giveaway on her blog. The winner will receive a $25 gift card to Bed Bath & Beyond. I could soooo use that right now. I love that store and am planning on reorganizing my daughter's bedroom in a few weeks. This gift card would help tremendously!

I've Got Mail

I was soooo very excited when I went to the mailbox today and found a package waiting for me. It was my winnings from Tales of a Teacherista! As some of you may remember, I won her giveaway that she had celebrating her 100+ followers.

I received my choice of resources from Anna Brantley's TpT store and chose her Birds, Bugs, and Butterflies Math & Literacy Packet. It's absolutely adorable & I really can't wait to put it to good use!

In the mail today was the book "I'm Your Bus," by Marilyn Singer and a set of polka-dot mini file folders from Ms. Pollard at Tales of a Teacherista. Oh my goodness, these are the most adorable little folders! I love mini supplies and these are great! The book is wonderful and I see so many potential uses for it. It takes you through the life and day of a school bus -so cute! There are blends and rhymes and so many other great literacy opportunities in this book.

Thanks to both of you again for holding this giveaway & I'm still excited that I won!

Oh, in case anyone was wondering, I use Picnik to edit my photos!

I just need a break!

I debated whether or not to blog about this, and finally decided "what the heck!"

I am confused about how school districts decide who they are going to interview and hire when it comes to a job opening. I have heard of two schools in my district recently that have hired teachers from out of the district and out of state. Why do I not even get an interview for these positions? They are positions for which I am highly qualified and certified for. Another school district has a position on their job vacancy list but is only looking for "experienced" teachers.

Yes, I changed careers in mid-life. Yes, I am dedicated to the teaching profession. I student taught in a third grade class two years ago. I have volunteered nearly 100 hours each of the last three years in an elementary school (the one I student taught in). I have worked as a private summer tutor. I have worked as a reading tutor. I have worked in an after school program for two years. I have long-term subbed as both a media clerk and an ESOL teacher. I also work as a substitute teacher. I am committed, dedicated, and reliable. I am working on my masters degree because I want to be the best teacher I can be, and be as prepared for the classroom as I can.

Does it matter that I have never taught full-time in a classroom? I don't think so. I come from a retail management background. I know how to manage assets, set up displays, recruit, handle employee issues. I can handle classroom time management, creating a pleasing workspace for students, helping children become great students and citizens. Seriously, working with adults was worse than working with kids!

I am so ready for a classroom - I just need a break! Let me get my foot in the door and prove what an asset I can be to a school and the students that learn there!!!