Liebster Award...for my blog?!?1

I consider myself a newbie in this world of blogging! I've only been at it since June, so I was little surprised when Amanda at My Shoe String Life nominated my blog for the Liebster Award. It put a smile on my face today. She's a 5th grade ELA and Social Studies teacher...make sure you stop by and give her little hello!

The past couple months of blogging have been wonderful! Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly. It's been great to connect with such amazing teachers who are so generous with sharing their ideas and resources. You are all truly inspiring!

To claim this award I must:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated me

2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers

3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator

4. Share 11 random facts about yourself

5. Create 11 questions for your nominees

6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

I'm nominating the following blogs for this award because they share so much insightful information:

Emily at The Science Life
Miss Elle at Teaching in Cardigans
Kristin at The Pink Diaries of Kristin Li
Julia at Lattes & Laughter
Erin at Shenanigans in 6th-Math

Amanda Asked Me:

1. How long have you been teaching? I'm moving into my 7th year of teaching! I've taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. They all have a special place in my heart, but 5th grade takes the cake!

2. What are your thoughts on grades? I'm a little confused with this question not sure if it is referring to the different grade levels or giving grades to students. So I shall give my thoughts on both. I prefer teaching the upper grades. I love the conversations/discussions I am able to have with my students. They also understand my sarcastic sense of humor. In regards to assigning grades to students, I do believe that it is important for the student to understand how they are doing within specific subjects/standards. More importantly, I feel that the students should be responsible for setting goals for themselves and monitoring how they are doing with their goals. 

3. What's your favorite picture book to use in the classroom? It's not a picture book, but my students and I read the book Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. My students became really interested in WWII and the storyline of the book. We had some great discussions in class about the war, empathy, etc. 

4. Where's your sweet spot (store) for finding great school supplies? Lately, it has been Michaels Craft store. I've found some great deals and I love that I can craft and make things my own.

5. What's the one school supply you can't live without? Paper clips!

6. What's your favorite-can't-miss-a-single-episode TV show? Hmm, I have a few of these. So here goes the list in no particular order: Hell on Wheels, Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, Boardwalk Empire, Justified, Treme (do you see a pattern...lol). My two guilty pleasures are Mistresses and Revenge. I usually catch up on the episodes during the weekend (unless of course it's summer).

7. What's your favorite school memory? Graduating!

8. Biggest pet peeve? People who talk on their cell phones while in line to purchase something. I find it so rude that they continue to chat as they are being rung up and pay. Put down the phone people for a few minutes! 

9. If you could take a dream vacation, where would you go? Where wouldn't I go! I've always wanted to visit Egypt. I love places that have so much history behind them. However, my family isn't too keen on my heading that way because of all the turmoil going on within the country. But it seems to have been that way for years now and I am growing impatient. So I may just do it one of these days!

10. What's on your MP3 player right now? Right now at this moment Brandi Carlile's Raise Hell is playing on my iTunes. 

11. What's the best teaching advice you were ever given? To roll with the punches and be flexible. This has rung true time and time again. Being flexible makes life easier in the world of teaching.

Eleven Random Facts About Me:

1. I practice aerial arts! I've only been doing this since January and I absolutely love it! One of my friends asked me to join her one day and I haven't stopped. I'm hooked. It is definitely a lot of hard work and can be a bit nerve wracking the higher you are on the silks and the more complicated the routine/tricks are, but it is the BEST workout!
                                                                   

2. I'm addicted to traveling. The wanderlust bug has bitten and doesn't seem to wanna let go anytime soon. Our world is beautiful and there is so much to learn and explore. Two of my bucket list goals are: to travel to all 50 US states (I'm halfway there....I gotta explore the East Coast and the South a little more) and I want to hit all 7 continents (I've got four out of the way so far).

3. My boys are my life! They have so much unconditional love to give and make a rough day so much better. 

4. I'm a tomboy. Ask me to go window shopping and I will kick and scream (well not really...) but ask me to head out on a 4x4 Jeep adventure and I am there!!!

5. I have a Vespa! Love riding in the summer, nothing beats the wind on your face. 

6. My camera is attached to my body. Photography has always been a passion of mine ever since I was a wee little one. In fact, I wanted to become a photographer when I was younger. 

7. I'm not a picky eater, I just know what I like! Growing up and still to this day I always hear about how I am such a picky eater. My response: I just know what I like!

8. Autumn is my favorite season. 

9. Finally received my Masters degree after a 7 year hiatus from the program! 

10. I use ellipses WAY too much!

11. I've been married for 5 years, but my husband and I have been together a total of 12 years.

Questions for My Nominees:

1. You have a ticket in your hand, where is it going to take you?
2. How long have you been teaching and what grades have you taught?
3. If you weren't blogging at this very moment what would you be doing instead?
4. What will you miss the most about summer ending?
5. What is one thing in your classroom you couldn't live without?
6. If you could only choose one genre of music to listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?
7. What is your secret talent?
8. What advice would you give to a first year teacher?
9.  The one thing you can't leave home without is...
10.  What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
11.  What movie title would describe your life?

I can't wait to get to know you all a little better!!