Liebster Award

While I was on my hiatus (that sounds a lot better than I-was-so-overwhelmed-with-life-that-I-lost-all-motivation-to-do-anything-for-about-a-month), Becky at bybmg nominated me for a Liebster Award... I am new to the blogger world -- so I don't know much about this, but was excited to learn that it was an easy challenge and a great opportunity to learn share a little it more about myself!

Here are my answers to her fun questions...

1. If you were a color, what would you be and why?

Purple. It seems like such a versatile color -- I love that it can be royal and luxurious and also light and springy. 

2. What's something that you've made that you're proud of?

While I am not the craftiest or most creative person ever, I am really proud of how the decorations turned out for our wedding. They took a lot of help - my grandma sewed all 60+ table runners and my sister hot glued 30+ flower centerpieces - but I made all of the decisions and did most of the planning. It was a simple style (which I loved) and included gray and blue (which my husband loved). 

3. If you could have a shopping spree of $500 in one store, which store would you pick? What would you buy?

Target. And all the things. Seriously though, this is the one store where I need to be watched. I loose all track of time and money and logic.

4. What's the last book you read?

The graphic novel of The Red Pyramid by Rick Roirdan

and Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller

5. What is one invention you think the world is missing?

A teleportation device... I am a commuter!

6. What's in your purse?

I am a full purse kind of person - but some of the staples in my purse are: my Gap wallet, a Vera Bradley gift-card and coupon holder, my Weight Watchers keychain, a pouch made from a TOMS flag that holds all my 'extras', a Target reusable shopping bag, my sunglasses, my iPhone and charger, Damsel in Defense pepper-spray, and my keys. 

Sometimes there are random snacks floating around the bottom of the bag -- but I've been trying to keep things pretty organized lately.

7. What is one beauty product you can't live without?

Mascara. I will not and can not leave the house without mascara on -- I don't think I'm too obsessive (I don't re-apply during the day and I'm very mindful of clumps) but it is a necessity in my life. It's a little thing that makes me feel a whole lot better about myself!

8.  When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A ballerina.

9. What was your first car?

My first car was a red, two-door Ford Aspire (google it for a good laugh). My favorite part was that it was a manual transmission -- I have always been proud of my ability to drive a stick and my current car is also one (which saves us a little money on gas!). 

10. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

This was a hard question... and I'm worried that my answer is too limited - it doesn't seem like a very global change, but it's something that I see impact my life and my students.

I would change the fact that we (as a society) are constantly labeling each other. It feels like there is so much pressure to fit different labels: athlete, nature-lover, fashionista, crafter -- even my students feel pressured to fit into a specific label given to them by friends or family. I want kids (and adults) to feel free to experience and enjoy aspects of many different labels. You don't have to be a certain kind of woman or a certain kind of blogger -- we can all choose to do the things that make us feel comfortable and happy.

11. If you had a day to yourself, what would you do?

I would spend the day catching up on my dvd and Netflix lists. I am ridiculously into reality shows lately -- but it isn't something that my husband and I watch together. Having a day alone to enjoy watching TV and get some extra work done around the house doesn't sound glamorous -- but it's something I don't get to do very often. 

What You Missed...

5 things you missed... (while I was away!)

1) I interviewed for and accepted a new job for the fall! I am so excited to announce that I will be the high school teacher-librarian at Muscatine High School this fall. I am so ecstatic to have this amazing opportunity as such a new teacher librarian. I am preparing myself to take all the knowledge and experience I have gained as a MS Language teacher and as a School Library Studies graduate student and put it to great use helping the staff and students at MHS.

This job means a lot of big changes in the relationships I have with my coworkers and students -- and a lot of changes in my daily schedule. But I am so excited (and already have so many ideas bouncing around in my head!).

2) With our jobs for next year all lined up, we have been on the lookout for a different place to live. Kasey and I have loved our little place on his grandparents land for the past two years, but we are so ready to have a bigger place (that we can fill with a family sometime soon!). We found an awesome 4 bedroom house in Columbus Junction that fits great with our budget -- we will be renting from a couple of retired teachers... pretty much a perfect arrangement! I'll post pictures after I go crazy redecorating!

3) A new place also means selling our current place. I want to give HUGE pats on the back to anyone who has ever sold a house... because it is a lot of work! After doing some research (and a lot of staging -- goodbye junk!) we have had several people out to look at our place. We haven't made any decisions yet, but some of the offers have two-week expiration dates so things will get busier before they slow down!

4) I am 2/3rds of the way done with with the first 1/2 of my thesis (way to tired to do the math!). My topic is: The Collaborative Relationship Between School Teacher Librarians and Public Librarians. Without boring you too much, I find it really interesting and really stressful all at the same time. This semester has been some of the latest nights in my graduate school career!

Also last month, I completed my practicum hours in the Mid-Prairie School District. It was so much fun to spend four days with the two teacher librarians in the district - I got to work with so many great kids and picked up so many great ideas for my future library!

5) Its Spring in the teaching world. I'm not sure how it happens -- but it sneaks up on me every year. From now until June 5th (ugh!) it will be a mad - but exciting - dash to get as much learning and fun completed before my students move on to high school! This also means doing lots of spring cleaning in my classroom and my computer!

A Pinterest Classroom...

Pinterest, Twitter, and Blogs have changed my classroom. I have been on the look-out lately, but it still seems like Pinterest classrooms and Twitter lessons have been popping up everywhere. I love how much teachers have been sharing with one another, and how available great ideas are! I am a talker (a loud talker) so I have always communicated well with my classmates and co-workers, but social media has opened up a world for me where I can 'talk' to the greatest educators from across the world. I have discovered some of the greatest teaching-minds in nearby districts - and have even been able to 'steal' ideas from famous teacher-authors like Penny Kittle.

So, this year I will be stealing, borrowing, and sharing ideas all the freakin' time! Here are 5 of my favorites (so far) as I set up my classroom. Kiddos come in 16 days! (yikes!)

Make-over for my teacherbinder: This is an amazing post with great suggestions for sections/contents for your teacherbinder (it's a new word). Her suggestions will 'up' the productivity of my binder!

Favorite Bulletin Board: For the first time in my teaching career, I have more than one (seven, actually) bulletin boards. This will takeover two of them!

Organization for a Substitute: This is one of those ideas I'm going to have to 'age' a little for my middle school classroom, but it's still a wonderful idea. One place where all my sub copies and ideas can be - all you have to do is add the specific unit plans!

Favorite Motivator: I love the saying "Kiss your Brain" - even for Middle School! I am excited to keep this filled with Hershey Kisses for my kids that are really on-top of things that day!

Favorite Common Core Checklist: I love, love, love this chart! I had to 'steal' the idea and make mine using MS Language Arts standards - but it's a quick way to keep yourself and your students accountable for those Common Core and Iowa Core standards! 

PS: I can (and probably will) do an entire post on a-mazing anchor charts I've found!