Meet The Teacher Blogger

I'm delighted to be linking up to the Meet the Teacher Linky!

Happy Hump Day! Whoop Whoop! My name is Carolyn.  I'm a  wife, mom, teacher, and new blogger.  This is my 19th year teaching.  I started out my career with 4th and 5th graders, taught 10 years of kindergarten, and spent many years subbing and doing educational therapy.  Last year I was in special education and co-taught in a 4th grade inclusion class.  This year I'm the general education teacher in a co-taught 5th grade inclusion class.  I'm so excited to get back in the classroom and try out all the new ideas I found on Pinterest this summer! 😊 

I've been married to this amazing man for 28 years. We've got 3 amazing kids and 2 amazing grandkids.  Life is good!

 {I moved rooms this summer.}

I've been busy this summer with my family, friends, a trip to the mountains and ALMOST weekly trips to the beach for the day! (One of the advantages of living 45 minutes away from the beach!)

 THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Hubby~Kiddos~GRAND BABIES~The Beach~The Mountains~READING~Grilling Out~MUSIC Chocolate Chip Cookies~Colored Pens~Snow Days~Chocolate Covered Raisins~Cashews~Movies

TEACHING ~ MY PUPPY!

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

The only thing I've ever wanted to be was a mom and a teacher.  

I consider myself blessed to be both and now a Grandma!  

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Passionate~Loving~Worker  

 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

"I'm SO excited to work on my lesson plans ALL weekend...said no teacher EVER!!"
 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

Definitely my Dad ~ It's been 10 years and I still miss him like crazy.  He's my hero!

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

 Life is Good!

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

My superpower would be that I could go without sleeping or at least on just a few hours a day!

I always need more time!!

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths your take, but by the  moments that take your breath away." 
 

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

 "This Is Your Life" - Switchfoot

 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

Mornings ~ I wake up early ALL the time.  When I retire some day I will definitely be a night person.

I love to stay up late and sleep in!  

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

 It's a brand new product that includes everything you need to start and run a Classroom Economy.  I used to do this with my kindergarten kiddos on a much smaller scale.  Now I've ramped it up for 5th grade and can't wait to get started.  I think the kids are going to LOVE it!  The BEST thing about it is that it's 100% editable!  You can personalize every page for your classroom setup.  Details to follow on how to implement the program.  

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I am a very picky eater!  I don't like very many vegetables which makes eating healthy quite a challenge.  Since my son is getting married this fall ~ I need to do something QUICK!

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Your turn!! Here's what you need to join the party!!!

http://fallingintofirst.blogspot.com/2014/08/meet-teacher-linky.html

 Tell us all a little bit about you. Follow that up by copy and pasting the Q&A Session and adding your own answers. Make sure to include the square "MEET THE TEACHER BLOGGER" button (above) at the end of your post and link it back here so others can find the linky! When your post is published, link it up and join the party below!!!

{Please don't link to your store or anywhere other than directly to your Meet The Teacher post. 
 I don't want to delete links but I will if they go to stores or other content.}

Now visit the 3 bloggers that linked up before you and show them some love!! :)

I am linking up with The Teaching Tribune for Monday Meet Up. This week is about 3 things I am thankful for.

The Wonderful World of Blogging

        

Creating this website has been a learning process for me that has been very challenging but very rewarding. Just when I think I've got it all figured out, something else happens and the search for new information begins again. It can be very frustrating when we think we understand something but it just doesn't work. I think that's how most kids feel who struggle when learning something new. I can't tell you how many time I wanted to give up.... it was too frustrating.... it’s not worth it! Perseverance paid off and I was finally able to get everything working correctly.  Don't ask me how it finally happened, I never figured that part out. I just know that I was so excited when it finally worked. 


It's funny how kids think that as soon as they get out of school they can finally stop learning. Then they become adults and begin to realize that the learning has just begun. We're constantly learning new things to help us along the way. With our current technology we have access to instant information where we can research and learn new things at the touch of a button. I find myself searching the Internet on a daily basis to
 find new information. The truth is, learning is a life long experience that should be sought after, welcomed and embraced!


That's when it hit me! This is how kids feel when they're stuck on a particular subject, task or skill. They attempt to learn something new and find themselves running into a brick wall. Things just aren't working for them. It seems so easy to all the other kids around them. They begin to doubt themselves and their abilities. "What's wrong with me? I must be stupid! How come every one else can do this so easily and it's so hard for me? It's just not fair!" Sound familiar? Sometimes all it takes is perseverance and a little help from someone else. Once we get past the frustration and break through the brick wall we find success! The recordings in our head can begin to be replaced with new messages. “I did it! I finally figured it out. This really isn’t so hard now that I understand it. I guess I’m pretty smart after all!”

My goal is to help children find joy in the learning process itself.  When they find success, I want to hear them say, “I love to learn!” 

Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Pay Teachers is another new endeavor I began this year.  I've really enjoyed taking my creativity to the next level and being able to share it with other teachers. I love the idea of a site where teachers can share their products and ideas with others. Feel free to share an ideas you have.  I welcome your feedback on any of my products.  Check it out here at my Teachers Pay Teachers store! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Love-To-Learn

I Love to Learn!

LEARNING! When you hear that word, what's your first reaction? If there is one thing I have learned in all my years of living, teaching, and learning.....I still need and LOVE TO LEARN! If you are a teacher and you think differently, you've got another think coming. I believe that the willingness and desire to learn new things is one of the primary factors in keeping  a teacher fresh and on top of their game. When we stop learning we become stagnant, grow weary, and we lose the joy of teaching. 

Unfortunately, I've discovered that not everyone shares my feelings toward the learning process. We were born with an innate desire to learn. Babies and young children are learning constantly and every new thing fills them with wonder. They are constantly seeking new experiences and asking questions. So what happens to the joy and wonder? Somewhere along the line, many children will lose that love of learning.

My goal is to help every person I work with find success in the learning process and gain confidence in their ability to learn. This success and confidence will eventually grow into a true love of learning!