Meet the Teacher

It's Teacher Week 2011!

Meet the Teacher Monday

Tell us a little something about you...

I'm Andi, and I blog here at Pencils, Glue, & Tying Shoes.  I teach first grade at a big elementary school (709 students, yikes!) in a tiny Florida town. We live on the east coast of Florida. Yep, you heard me right. Not only am I stressing out over "beginning of school" nonsense but I have to worry about Hurricane Irene, too! GERRR!

How long have you been teaching?

This is my twelfth year teaching.  I taught fourth grade for four years. I really enjoyed teaching fourth grade, however I did not enjoy teaching to the FCAT and Florida Writes. Talk about stressful!!

Luckily, when another teacher retired from my school, I was granted my wish of moving to a lower grade and entered the fabulous world of FIRST GRADE! I just love first grade.  They are lovely little cuties. Just so sweet and fun. I've had my fair share of stinkers, though. I've learned that in my school, kindergarten and first really don't get a lot of support when dealing with difficult children. I wonder if "they" think we jump rope all day long? I've gotta get them to read and write, man! That is not easy! We are a Title 1 school with a lot of struggling families. My students come to me not even recognizing all of the letters in the alphabet never mind their sounds. Getting some of them to decode c-v-c words is a HUGE step for them. Never the less, we have our work cut out for us and our kiddos do rise to the challenge. I love them so.

You might not know...

I'm a big band/music nerd. I love everything music. Can't play a lick of music on an instrument, but I have major respect for anyone that does. My bestie plays the oboe professionally and she is amazing! My husband plays various percussion instruments and has been in a few bands as an adult. He even did two tours of the US and one tour in Europe with one of his bands. We go to little concerts, big concerts, operas, symphonies, and plays. I've seen some unbelievable talents.  My favorite so far has been Morrissey. He's too cool for school and has a rockin' band.

Here's a picture of me in high school with my band girls. (I was in the color guard. We were awesome!!!)

Okay so this little fact about me isn't quite unique or original, BUT I love my family! My husband, Scott, is the light of my life. He is my everything! My soulmate.

Halloween 2009

Even though Scott and I don't have any little ones of our own, we love spending all of our time with our families. We have several nieces and nephews from our siblings and are always enjoying their company. We love them and are very blessed.

What are you looking most forward to this school year?

I'm most looking forward to conquering this Fundations program (with fidelty.) I am super nervous and utterly confused to teach anything so scripted. It's just soooo not me. I'm easy/breezy, not structure/structure.   It is overwhelming for me to think about right now. AND I really should be studying that Teacher's Guide instead of playing on the computer. 

What do you need to improve?

EVERY YEAR I SAY THIS:   I will get my work completed during the work week and not spend my free time & weekends at school.

So far, I spent 9 hours at school on Sunday. Not good, Andi! 

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?

Rich literature, chart paper, construction paper, and Mr. Sketch markers!

I love them so much, I won't share with others! 

My list could be a lot longer, but I've survived teaching with very little supplies (a week without power.)

Those on my list are the supplies I really need.

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HAPPY TEACHER WEEK Y'ALL!

Love, Andi