Updated August 17, 2008

I graduated in December of 2002 from a small college in Georgia.  I was very lucky.  I found a teaching job that began in January.  A small school had grown and needed another fourth grade teacher.  Instead of pulling five students from each class to create a class of 20, one teacher volunteered to leave his classroom and teach only science to the entire grade level.  Science would become a "lab" for students and more planning time for the teachers!  It was a wonderful situation.  I simply stepped in and continued many of the practices of the previous teacher (who was wonderful).  As a new teacher, he became a mentor ( and his room was right next door) and I stepped into a classroom  with management and behavior routines already set up!  An ideal situation for a brand new teacher!! I STILL use some of those routines now!

Three years ago another teacher and I hatched up the plan to team teach.  I taught reading, writing, and social studies and my partner taught math, science and grammar/spelling.  After reflecting and thinking we switched things up a bit; I  now teach ALL the language arts: reading, writing, spelling and grammar and my partner teachers all the content areas.  It has been a very successful model and we have been very pleased with the results.    I will be calling my room the languages arts Mecca!  Because I only teach three subject areas twice a day I have been able to really focus on my instructional methods.  I have found what works best for me and I can continue to tweak it until I can get it just right.   I am now making the changes so I can have a true model of balanced literacy in my room.

On  a personal note I am  happily married (we are just about to  celebrate our 3rd anniversary) with two cats that are my children! 

I have been struggling whether or not to add this to the website.  I feel kinds guilty, like I am bragging.  However,  I finally decided that I should included it because, well, I do pay for this site AND it is a big honor. I was voted as my local school Teacher of the Year!  I was simply floored and very honored that my colleagues would recognize me. It has been a very exciting time! Here is the coolest part: My House of Representatives has created a House Bill in my honor!  Wow!  They created one for all the local TOTY's, but I am still honored.  I saved a pdf file of it if anyone wants to see it (I am sure only my mother will check this link out- I love you mom!).

My adorable hubby and myself at graduation!

Changes!  Changes! I graduated with my Masters in Reading and Reading endorsement a few weeks ago.  It feels WONDERFUL to have this DONE!!!  I am currently taking two classes towards my Specialist in Leadership. I will only be taking one class this fall and *maybe* two in the spring because I will no longer be teaching fourth grade!  I have requested to move to second grade and I am VERY exited about this new adventure.  I will be adding second grade information to the site (but I doubt it will be very helpful, I have never taught second and have no clue as to what I am doing!!!)! 

Another year has passed!  It is hard to believe. I LOVED teaching second grade.  The students were sweet and eager to please!  I do not think I will ever move back to the upper grades, but you know what they say- never say never!  The past year was pretty eventful.  My husband and I bought our first home and moved about and hour and a half to two hours to a new county and school district.  I applied for a job was very pleased to be hired to take a second grade position at a school that is only ten minutes from my new house!  Yay!   I have decided to quit working on my Specialist for the time being because of all the changes.  I have 3 course under my belt and will hopefully return in the summer. 

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