Nice to Meet You
Hi everyone! Thanks for reading my second post on A Spoonful of Teaching! This is a cliche post about the author- me. Let's get started...
Basically, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher (except for the year-long phase where I wanted to be a fashion designer). I was the kid that when I had friends over, we had to play school and I had to be the teacher. My mom used to teach dance and tumbling to little kids and throughout my teenage years I loved helping her teach.
My senior year of high school I had a unique experience with an elementary school in the district. Every day during my senior year, I left my high school at 10:45 to be a “teacher intern” in a third grade classroom. Two amazing things about this:
1. It was at the elementary school I went to as a kiddo, and
2. I was partnered with my high school dance coach!
It was such a fun experience because it was the first time I was actually exposed to the teaching world. She laid the foundation for the teacher I wanted to be/I am today and I will forever be thankful for that!
In May of 2018, I graduated from SIUe with a Bachelors of Education. I’m going to tell you, education classes sound like a breeze, but they could not be more opposite!! It was tough and exhausting. Thankfully, I made out alive. 😉
My student teaching experience was incredible. I could not have asked for a better mentor teacher to work with. The school was very unique because a vast majority of students are ELL students (English Language Learners). It was a learning curve for me, but I would not have had it any other way. It was difficult at times, especially hearing what some of those amazing kiddos have been through, but I’m so happy I had an impact on their precious lives. I know they impacted mine forever!
So here I am- a fourth grade math and science teacher. Nope, I don’t teach all subjects! The intermediate department (grades 3-5) is departmentalized— a fancy word for dividing subjects between two teachers. Like I said, I teach math & science and my incredible teaching partner (aka best friend), Taylor, teaches English Language Arts (ELA) and social studies. Confused yet?
I have a home room consisting of 16 beautiful, intelligent, and creative kids. I could go on and on about how wonderful they are. Along with math and science, I also teach them spelling. I love the little community we’ve built together. Lucky for me, I get to teach Taylor’s amazing children as well! It’s an awesome experience and I couldn’t ask for a better teaching partner. I mean, I basically have 30 students! It’s a party! Speaking of parties, let’s play a game...
Imagine yourself walking down a busy street at sunset. The sun reflects off of the buildings to the right and left of you. Those stores and bakeries are from the early twentieth century; meaning they are adorable and full-of-character. You can smell the sweet smell of fresh cinnamon rolls straight from the oven. Down the road, you can hear peaceful, upbeat music playing overhead. Straight ahead, you see the best sight-- a stunning 190 foot castle. If you pictured yourself walking down Main Street USA at Walt Disney World you are absolutely correct. Personally, this is the best feeling in the world. If you haven’t experienced it, start saving up for a trip to “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
I’ve been to Walt Disney World (WDW) multiple times now and every single time has been different. Seriously! They’re always updating and renovating for an even better experience before your next visit. I have to say my favorite visit was when Joey took me back in April 2019. It was our first vacation together and he completely outdid himself. We stayed in Coronado Springs Resort and had park passes for four days. It was a dream come true. OH and did I mention that’s where he proposed to me? Yep, in front of Cinderella castle. While I may have knew about it (I hate surprises) I was still stunned. My dream came true. #besttripever
I can’t wait to share more about my WDW experience in upcoming blog posts! I will be posting every Thursday afternoon/evening, so mark your calendars! 😉 Join me next Thursday as I talk about some communication tools I frequently use in my classroom. While you may not be an educator, it’s still pretty cool stuff (according to me). Thanks again for supporting my blog! If you like it so far, tell your friends! Have a magical day!
Basically, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher (except for the year-long phase where I wanted to be a fashion designer). I was the kid that when I had friends over, we had to play school and I had to be the teacher. My mom used to teach dance and tumbling to little kids and throughout my teenage years I loved helping her teach.
My senior year of high school I had a unique experience with an elementary school in the district. Every day during my senior year, I left my high school at 10:45 to be a “teacher intern” in a third grade classroom. Two amazing things about this:
1. It was at the elementary school I went to as a kiddo, and
2. I was partnered with my high school dance coach!
It was such a fun experience because it was the first time I was actually exposed to the teaching world. She laid the foundation for the teacher I wanted to be/I am today and I will forever be thankful for that!
 |
| One of my favorite photos from my teacher intern experience. (yes, that is a popsicle stick and wrapper in my hand) |
In May of 2018, I graduated from SIUe with a Bachelors of Education. I’m going to tell you, education classes sound like a breeze, but they could not be more opposite!! It was tough and exhausting. Thankfully, I made out alive. 😉
My student teaching experience was incredible. I could not have asked for a better mentor teacher to work with. The school was very unique because a vast majority of students are ELL students (English Language Learners). It was a learning curve for me, but I would not have had it any other way. It was difficult at times, especially hearing what some of those amazing kiddos have been through, but I’m so happy I had an impact on their precious lives. I know they impacted mine forever!
So here I am- a fourth grade math and science teacher. Nope, I don’t teach all subjects! The intermediate department (grades 3-5) is departmentalized— a fancy word for dividing subjects between two teachers. Like I said, I teach math & science and my incredible teaching partner (aka best friend), Taylor, teaches English Language Arts (ELA) and social studies. Confused yet?
 |
| My INCREDIBLE teaching partner, Taylor. |
I have a home room consisting of 16 beautiful, intelligent, and creative kids. I could go on and on about how wonderful they are. Along with math and science, I also teach them spelling. I love the little community we’ve built together. Lucky for me, I get to teach Taylor’s amazing children as well! It’s an awesome experience and I couldn’t ask for a better teaching partner. I mean, I basically have 30 students! It’s a party! Speaking of parties, let’s play a game...
Imagine yourself walking down a busy street at sunset. The sun reflects off of the buildings to the right and left of you. Those stores and bakeries are from the early twentieth century; meaning they are adorable and full-of-character. You can smell the sweet smell of fresh cinnamon rolls straight from the oven. Down the road, you can hear peaceful, upbeat music playing overhead. Straight ahead, you see the best sight-- a stunning 190 foot castle. If you pictured yourself walking down Main Street USA at Walt Disney World you are absolutely correct. Personally, this is the best feeling in the world. If you haven’t experienced it, start saving up for a trip to “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
 |
| Me and my dad circa 2003 back when they called Disney's Hollywood Studios "MGM Studios." |
I’ve been to Walt Disney World (WDW) multiple times now and every single time has been different. Seriously! They’re always updating and renovating for an even better experience before your next visit. I have to say my favorite visit was when Joey took me back in April 2019. It was our first vacation together and he completely outdid himself. We stayed in Coronado Springs Resort and had park passes for four days. It was a dream come true. OH and did I mention that’s where he proposed to me? Yep, in front of Cinderella castle. While I may have knew about it (I hate surprises) I was still stunned. My dream came true. #besttripever
 |
| I knew it was coming and I still cried. |
I can’t wait to share more about my WDW experience in upcoming blog posts! I will be posting every Thursday afternoon/evening, so mark your calendars! 😉 Join me next Thursday as I talk about some communication tools I frequently use in my classroom. While you may not be an educator, it’s still pretty cool stuff (according to me). Thanks again for supporting my blog! If you like it so far, tell your friends! Have a magical day!
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