About a month ago I was notified by George Champlin @GChamplinAP via Twitter that he had mentioned me in a Tweet. It was the first day back to school after the Holiday break...and you know how this story ends..I have not been on Twitter or in my blog-related email account since them. So today I decided to get caught up on email, blogging and Twitter and fond that the mention on Twitter was realted to a PLN challenge. So here is the deal...
I was challenged by Mr. Champlin to share some blog-love with flow bloggers out there via this challenge. Let me start by telling you about Mr. Champlin and how we came to know one another. Two years ago I was sitting in a session at the Upstate Technology Conference here in Greenville, SC where I live an teach. The session was taught by a fellow GCSD teacher Chris Beyerle, whom I follow on Twitter, and was titles "Building your PLN (Professional Learning Network) through Twitter. We all posted our blog names and Twitter on the Edmodo page for the session, and George and I started following each other. He is an AP here in Greenville, and we know a few of the same educators (mostly edtech folks). Anyway, last September our paths crossed again as we both attended EdCamp in Rock Hill, NC. I think it is important to make professional connections and I always learn so much from the conversations George contributes to on Twitter. So here goes...
HERE ARE THE RULES OF THE CHALLENGE:
- Acknowledge the nominating blogger. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
- Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
- List 11 bloggers. They should be bloggers you believe deserve a little recognition and a little blogging love! (I chose 7 people who inspire me)
- Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer and let all the bloggers know they’ve been nominated. (You cannot nominate the blogger who nominated you).
- This is a challenge but you do not have accept.
11 Random Facts about me
- Teaching is my second (really 3rd career)...I spent the first 11 years of my post-college years in the Corporate world (data collection, information services production manager, corporate trainer, training manger).
- I spend way to much time on my devices (phone, iPad, computer) but technology is my passion.
- I have an MBA but after completing it, really had no desire to continue working in the corporate business world (I only stuck it out for 3 more years after graduating..then left to be a stay at home mom).
- When my son was about to start Kindergarten, I decided to go back to school to become a teacher.
- Since becoming a teacher, I have taught at the same school for the last 7 years, although I have taught different grades...3rd, 4th and 5th).
- If I could teach Social Studies and Technology all day...I would be a happy camper. Although I am developing a passion for teaching Math.
- In June I am starting on a second Master's degree..this one in Library Science. I hope to finish my career as a school librarian.
- Our family is very involved in Scouting and despite my dislike for sleeping outdoors, I have enjoyed going on camp-outs with my son's troop.
- I am originally from Virginia, but we moved to South Carolina almost 7 years ago when my husband retired (he has since gone back to work in the same profession he retired from...law enforcement).
- This year, I started a technology club for Kindergarten, First and Second Graders at my school. We have our first meeting in a few weeks. I am hoping to teach them to code using Tynker.
- I try not to watch too much television, but my new obsession is the show Scandal.
Okay, now to answer the questions posted by Mr.Champlin:
- What book or magazine are you reading? Currently, I am reading two books...Divergent by Veronica Roth (for enjoyment) and Teaching with Poverty in Mind by Eric Jensen (for a professional book study).
- What inspires you? Wow it is hard to pick one thing...I get inspired by great teachers and administrators, by students, by my own child, by people that have faced challenges and fought hard to overcome them.
- Who was the educator that has most impacted your life? My High School English teacher. She was also a neighbor of ours and my Mom and Stepdad were going through a divorce. She let me hang out at her house, encouraged me to always do my best. She helped me realize that college was not an option but instead an obligation I had to myself .We have kept in touch over the years and last Spring we were both vacationing on the NC coast and got together for the first time in over 20 years. It was as if we had not been apart...so proud to call her friend.
- What motivates you to do what you do? My students...they don't have the best of lives at home, but school is a place they can feel safe, and successful.
- What is the best advice you received concerning education technology? Use it as a tool, not as a replacement for good teaching.
- Where do you hope to be professionally in 6-10 years? I would like to be a school librarian but want to use that position to expose students to new technology and encourage them to dream big!
- What is your happiest childhood memory of school? Learning to read!
- What is your happiest memory as a professional educator? Helping a student learn to read!
- What advice do you have for peers who are overwhelmed with the current educational environment? Speak up, use your voice, stand up for the greatest profession. If you don't no one else will!!
- What is the best book you read to help you professionally? The First Days of School by Harry Wong....I buy a copy for my student teachers too!!
- What superlative would you give yourself and why? Most determined....because no matter what I set my mind to, I am so determined to succeed!
The questions I have for those I am inviting to the challenge are:
- What is the most important thing you have learned as an educator?
- What do you think you would be doing if you had not become an educator?
- What is your happiest childhood memory of school?
- What is your happiest memory as a professional educator?
- How would you want to be remembered by your students at your funeral?
- What is the one book you remember reading as a child?
- What is your biggest frustration with the current education system?
- What word would you use to describe how you feel on the first day of school? On the last?
- What celebrity do you think would make a great teacher?
- What made you decide to start a blog?
- What book are you currently reading for fun? For work?
Joann Claspill http://www.fifthisfabulous.blogspot.com/
Mo Mullen Detrick @mmdetrick
Shasta Looper http://theteachersloop.blogspot.com/
Lorraine Vasquez http://www.fabulous4thgradefroggies.com/
Lacie Sullivan http://polkadotsnpencils.blogspot.com/
Ginger Watkins http://gingersnapstreatsforteachers.blogspot.com/
Jessica http://ideasbyjivey.blogspot.com/
Bridget Pearsall http://www.littlelovelyleaders.blogspot.com/
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