Proud Teacher

 Making connections is important.

Can I get an "AMEN" on that?

Seriously.   It is important.  Whether it is getting to know your students, your colleagues, a new friend, etc... it's important.   It's also important in literature.

This school year, a struggle we faced in our classroom was how to recognize a connection with text as well as how to express that connection.  

As I'm preparing to write my final exams, it just HIT me.   These kids have come SO FAR since September and I am so very proud of them.

Book review

Our district is presently working on a Reading Challenge.   #PASDReads1Million

I love to read.   I am a reading teacher for a reason.

As a reader... I have quirks.    One of which is I rarely ever read the life story of someone who is still alive.   It's rare for me.   I broke that rule with my girl Tina.   She's 80 and I love her.    She's a freaking warrior.   

YES - I am a huge Tina Turner fan.   Oh, I adore her music!   Love it!

Look.... me as a tiny human trying to be Tina:

Have you ever read a book and deliberately started reading SLOWLY because you know the book is about to end?

That's what happened with me and this book.   I absolutely adored each page, each line.    It's beautifully written and I highly recommend! 

What are YOU reading right now?

Oh my goodness, my blog readers are the best!

In response to THIS POST - my Twitter feed exploded.  My text messages were ding-a-ling-linging.  My inbox was hilariously full.    Thank you for the responses - the ones safe for children and not - LOL!   

Confession:   This song is playing while I type this post.

I do love a brown paper package tied up in string.   And who doesn't love a crisp apple strudel?  And yes I love those snowflakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes.   

So here we go!   

Favorite Words:

• jawn (I'm from Philly, what do you expect?)
• A quote I say to my students:  "We do not allow our circumstance to turn into our excuse."
• I love you.
• The sound of laughter
• Thank You
• "Blame it on the Autism" --> If you were in #phs117 last year, you know why, LOL
• I'll try my best.
• I'll clean the house.   You sleep.  

Favorite Books:

• The Little Prince
• Stories in EDU ((and not just because I wrote part of it, LOL!!))
• Post Secret Books  ((read with a hot cup of tea and tissues))
• Reality Boy
• Are you There, God?  It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
• Forever by Judy Blume
• Other People's Words
• Good in Bed (It's not porn, I swear)
• Shift This
• Teach Like a Pirate
• Empower our Girls
• Under the Overpass
• Tattoos on the Heart
• Little Women
• Jane Eyre 

.... ok.... gotta stop... this list could go on forever-eva

Favorite Places:

• My classroom.   I'm not just saying this.   I love those kids.   Even when they don't love themselves.
• Fall day, lots of covers, windows open, rain outside... in bed.   
• Assateague Island
• IRELAND
• Family Cabin
• Disney
• Beach.   Any beach, really.
• Barnes and Noble with a generous gift card
• Snuggled up with my babies
• On an adventure with the hub-a-lubs

Thank you for those of you who blew up my phone with your responses!   I had a blast reading them and had several hearty laughs!

Article: The Danger of Teacher Nostalgia

"Nostalgia for the past is toxic when it makes us feel contempt toward the present."

I loved this article so much, I just had to share it.

Seriously.  Take two minutes.  Read.   Reflect.   

"Building strong relationships with students is arguably the most important factor in student and teacher success. And when we decide that “this group” has some kind of undesirable trait compared with “that group,” we prevent ourselves from really getting to know this group as individuals. It’s kind of a done deal."

Just a preview...

This is just a small preview of the books on my reading list for this summer.   

My goal is to read one book per week.  I also have quite the stack for YA lit as well.    I'm really looking forward to a summer with my family and learning/networking while my babies sleep.   =^_^=

What is on your personal and professional reading list this summer?

Look me up on GoodReads!
Or of course... Twitter!