Yup It's That Time!!!

I know, I know!!!!  I have been on a hiatus!  I really haven't been hunkering down.  I truly have been busy!!!
As an eleven month employee in my county I worked until the end of June.  Then I moved the first week of July.

Then I had the distinct pleasure of teaching an Algebra course that is part of our certification for mathematics specialists.  We have the first half complete after a residential week at the University of Virginia, and the second half will consist of three face-to-face Saturdays and two online sessions.  I have so much to share on my joys and struggles as an instructor in this course.  I even stumped (well made him quiet for a few moments) a mathematician!!!!  That's what I get when my brain starts to "wonder".

Then I serve on a state assessment committee and now I am back.  I have to admit I even got behind on my blog reading as well, which I just caught up on, and got me in the mood to get myself back in gear.

Some changes for me...I no longer will service an elementary school.  I will now be only working with middle school.  I will truly miss my elementary peeps who have worked so hard with me!!

As promised I will be back with some deep thoughts from Algebra class.  Packing is called my name (actually it is the custodians!)

Wow!  Where has time gone.  I hadn't realized how long I had been out of the "blogging game" until I logged on today.  I have to say that I have been so jealous of the many other bloggers who are talking about being out of school already.  We still will be trudging along for two more half days.  Teachers have a workday on Saturday, and I continue on after that, thanks to an 11 month contract :).  So that got me thinking.  I would love to hear what you all do these last few days with your students.  Honestly, because of scheduling, we have been full of awards assemblies, field days, and talent shows.  But I really would be interested in everyone's ideas for "after testing" fun!

I had the distinct pleasure of getting to attend our county's Teacher of the Year awards banquet....as a guest :)  Our prior year's winner spoke and it practically moved me to tears which is really not saying a lot since I cry at commercials and every single movie I watch no matter what it is.

She centered her speech around the premise of the question she was asked as part of her interview as a finalist...

"Why will you get up for work tomorrow?"

I guess I had never really reflected on why do I do what I do, because simply put I can't imagine doing anything else! I went to a college that was known as a teachers college and didn't apply anywhere else, I became a math specialist so that my love for teaching could now include other teachers!

So I thought it would be great to throw it out there.  Feel free to respond..  "Why did you get up for work today?"

my smile maker this morning

 

So I did a little "beautifying" yesterday of my blog.  I just couldn't stand it that there are all these cute blogs out there, and I had this very unexciting one.  So after some investigating and help from my ITRT (instructional technology resource teacher, thanks Alison!!!) I found some free AWESOME backgrounds, headers, and blinkies!

So now my next project is to start working on the actual activities!  I have the clip art to get me started thanks to the TPT teacher appreciation sale, now I just need to get cracken!

I did get a little pick me up this morning though.  Came into my office to find an award sitting on my desk.  I sure needed it!

So yesterday was a great shopping day on www.teacherspayteachers.com.  I purchased a lot of great clip art from The 3am Teacher!  I bought a soccer set, animal set, and even "scored" (no pun intended) some awesome freebies.  I put a link to her blog on the side as a list of favorites.  NOW, I just have to figure out how to create some activities for my middle schoolers.  If you have suggestions on programs to use feel free to share!

Since I am fairly new to the blog world, I have learned that I have been missing out on SO much out there.  One thing that I think people need to know about is www.teacherspayteachers.com and www.teachersnotebook.com.  These websites allow teachers to go on and sell digital files (whether they be activties to print or something for your interactive white boards).  I have purchased several things and love them!  I hope to get my behind in gear and start making things appropriate for middle school.  I did find that the middle school math materials are just a little lacking.

So I am taking advantage of a great teacher appreciation sale, and I am going to buy some graphics and get started.  I would love to start posting some things free so that I can get some feedback!

Also, I have started adding some links to my favorite blogs.  More to come!