12 Days of Hope

The 12 Days of Hope is a program at my school that runs for the 12 school days that lead up to winter break.  During this time, the students are given a small gift or provided with a unique experience.  It all started because, typical of a low-income school, the students had increased behavior problems during that time or they just didn't bother to come to school at all!  After looking for the cause of these behavior problems we found that many of the students were just scared- they count on us for stability, breakfast, lunch and safety.  Winter break is 2 weeks without any of those things!  So, we set out the first year to get a pair of socks for every child.  We posted on our facebooks, we contacted different stores or companies and we got socks....and books, crayons, cookies and more!  It just grew from there, the community has truly surrounded our kiddos and are giving them the hope that they need to reach for the stars.  So many great things have happened at my school in the last 3 years- it is hard to remember how far we have come when I am in the thick of things each day.  The 12 Days of Hope are a time for me to remember that I give hope each and every day to my students and I can just as easily take hope away.

Here is a video about my school- I'm on there (don't worry that I look like a doofus)!

Look for more about the fun things that we are doing for the 12 Days of Hope this year!!

Liebster Blog Award!

Sarah over at Wishful Teaching  nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award.  Thank you for the award!

Here are the rules of the award: 
The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers by established bloggers (less than 200 followers), in order to recognize them, let them know that they are appreciated, and to spread the word about new blogs. The rules are:

• You must post 11 random things about yourself.

• Answer the questions that the nominators set for you.

• Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.

• Choose 11 blogs you love (with less than 200 followers) and link them in your post.

• No tag back, (but please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster post so that I can learn more about you!)

Here are the 11 random things about me-

1. I treat my dog like my child- and he thinks he is one!

2. I am left handed

3. I am from Detroit- and I often wish I was still there

4. I am the middle child but act like the oldest

5. Teaching science is probably the hardest thing I do in a day

6. There is at least one child every year that I wish I could just adopt and take away from their home situation

7. My best day ever would involve wearing pajamas ALL DAY LONG

8. I hope to adopt children some day

9. I dream of owning a summer cottage in Michigan

10. Disney World is one of my favorite places on EARTH

11. I can scare myself out of doing things that I have already done successfully- ie. not ride a roller coaster again that I had a blast riding the first time.

Questions from Sarah
1. Where did you go on your honeymoon, or where would you like to go for your honeymoon?

My husband and I didn't technically have a honeymoon...we were married in Michigan and then spent the week after our wedding driving back to Washington where we live

2. You're leaving work late, again, and you are just too tired to make dinner. Where do you stop to get a quick bite on the way home?

I don't! I get home and whine about it to my husband and then let him go and grab something from wherever he wants!! :)

3. Do you sit down and eat your lunch? Or do you have a "working lunch"?

I usually sit down- I really like my co-workers and we talk about tv shows, books, shopping- it's a fun time to just be away from my classroom and relax for a few minutes!

4. What is your go-to thing to do when you need to get away from it all (work out...call up a friend for a coffee date...)?

Sleep!!

5. When did you know you were meant to be a teacher?

I spent some time as a nanny for a special needs-but undiagnosed- child and I spent every day in the classroom with him until things could be figured out.  I really enjoyed being in the classroom.

6. If you hadn't become a teacher, what would you have been?

I probably would have just found a customer service job- I like talking to people while I'm at work.

7. Do you have siblings?

I have an older brother, a younger brother and a younger sister.

8. Do you have pets?

My little man, Emmett

9. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Disney World, Poland, Costa Rica, Travel throughout South America...I have a long list!

10. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be? Why?

Diane Ravitch-I was lucky enough to hear her speak earlier this year and I was inspired by her passion for education and treating educators with respect.  I admire her willingness to put herself out there to be criticized by others because she truly believes that she can make a difference and improve education.

11. What color pen do you correct student work with? 

Any color that is laying around!

After extensive internet sleuthing I am noticing that the majority of the blogs I follow have already received the Liebster award or have more than 200 followers!   If you are interested in this award, consider this my nomination of you- and let me know who you are so that I can follow you back!! :)