Meet the Teacher Monday!

Blog Hoppin' is hosting Teacher Week 2011! So hop on over and link up to tell us all a little about yourself!

The Boy and me in Vegas

A bit about me...
The kids call me Ms. L, but you can call me Lori. I teach K-2 in a self-contained classroom for students with emotional impairments. This blog started out as an online diary and has sort of evolved into this mish mash of things, including my adventures in teaching. I'm hoping to add to it a bit and begin sharing ideas because I LOVE when all of my bloggy friends share their ideas. So I'm  not really a teacher blogger, but I'm a blogger that teaches. I hail from the Midwest (the best place in the US) and hope to someday end up back there. For now, you can find me in the metro DC area.

How long have you been teaching?
This is my sixth year teaching! I can't even believe it. I started out doing special education resource (pull out/push in/co-teaching) for two years in the upper grades. When I first moved here, though, I did a long term sub job in my current school and I fell in love with the school and the elements of a self-contained classroom (it combines my passion for special education and all the perks of a general education classroom), so after two years I moved to my current position. I absolutely LOVE working with the little ones.

You might not know...
I'm obsessed with office supplies, specifically post-it notes and sharpies. I use them for EVERYTHING. I especially love a brand new package of post-its and sharpies. Especially a brand new fresh-tipped sharpie. In addition to my post-it note love, I also enjoy paper clips. Someone recently posted about a paper clip in the shape of Michigan. I begged and pleaded to get them to send me it... but they wouldn't. So I'm on the hunt for the mitten-shaped paper clip.

What are you looking most forward to this school year?
Hmmmm... every year is so different, but I'm really looking forward to all of the growth in my kiddos. I know it's so cliche. But this batch of little ones were only with me for a few months last year, so I'm really looking forward to seeing the growth they make after a full year in our program and with me. There is SO much growth academically and socially in K-2, so I'm excited to watch them blossom!
What do you need to improve?

Time management, for sure! I'm social by nature and I currently live alone, so I often find myself talking during my planning time instead of working. Naturally, that means I'm working late and on the weekends. Because I'm making a vow this year to live life a little more, I'm going to get my stuff done at work so I can take less home. I'm sure there has to be a happy medium!

I've also made a personal goal to live a clutter-free lifestyle. If I don't use it, it's gone. Thankfully my teaching assistant is on board (she made me throw out almost 4 trash cans full of STUFF) and will be gently reminding me to use it or get rid of it.

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?
Post-it Notes, sharpies, and my Diet Pepsi. Seriously, they all three get me through the day. My heart also skips a beat for a box of brand new markers because I love writing in fun fonts and a new marker is always the best for that.


Head on over to Blog Hoppin' to link up!

Meet the Teacher!

Cara over at The First Grade Parade is doing a Meet The Teacher linky party and I decided to join in the fun!

That's me, Ms. L. But you can call me Lori because I'm not really your teacher and we can totally be BFF's like that. I'm a twenty-something teacher who loves reading, learning, doing anything nerdy, and my pupp-a-rooni, Zoey.

The cutest pup, ever. End of story.

I've been teaching for 5 years (holy cow, where did time go?!). Two of those years were in resource/co-teaching in special education, grades 3 through 5, and the past three years have been in self-contained with students with severe emotional/behavior disabilities. I teach in a primary classroom. Currently I have all 2nd graders, but it's my first time having only one grade level and I'm totally loving it! My job is pretty ca-razy. Except this year it's been relatively sane. It's not unusual to have items being thrown while I'm teaching. Just sayin'. Not normal by any stretch of the imagination, but it's my life. Some people think that means I have the patience of a saint. But I really don't. At least not for most people. Just those under the age of 10 and with disabilities.

I graduated from Western Michigan University (Go Broncos!) with a BS (I just love saying BS.. I have a BS degree, ha!) in Special Education. I minored in Elementary Education, Math, and Science. I lived all of 10 miles from home while in college and never lived at home, but often came home for Sunday dinners and to do my laundry.

I'm currently working on my Master's in School Improvement/Leadership and I hope to one day become a principal.

And now on to the Q & A session:

Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t a teacher?

I would probably be doing something in HR, as that's what I did throughout college to make some extra money.

Q: What are your hobbies?

I enjoy cooking, reading, blogging, and shopping.

Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a teacher, then a lawyer, then a funeral director. Apparently everyone knew I was going to be a teacher because I was ALWAYS bossing the other kids around a daycare and forcing them to play school.

Q: What are your guilty pleasures?

Horrible reality t.v. including The Bachelor, Keeping up with the Kardashians, and RW/RR Challenges. It's horrible. Honestly. I also love me some celebrity magazines.

Q: What is your biggest fear?!

Clowns, bridges, and emergencies.

Q: When you’re on vacation, where do you like to go?

The beach. I love laying on the beach with a cold drink in hand!

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's learning to dance in the rain.

I've been through a lot in the past year and a half and this quote has gotten me through some tough times. Life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey.

Q: What do you value most in others?

Sincerity and work ethic. It's hard to take people seriously who don't work hard for what they have.

Q: If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass down to your kids, what would it be?

This is hard.. I suppose my enthusiasm for learning. That's lame, isn't it?

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world….living or dead…who would it be?

My Dad. I just want one more day with him.

Now tell us one random thing about yourself:

I have a nickname that only a select few people can call me, Re. When I was little I couldn't say Lori, so I referred to myself as Re-Re. It was eventually shortened to Re. My parents and my brother call me Re, along with two high school friends. Beyond that, I simply won't allow it. My dad used to always spell it wrong (with an I, Ri) and I hated it.

Now it’s time for YOU to join the party!!!!  Here’s what you need to do:  Write a post titled “Meet The Teacher”.  Start with a brief “biography” and then copy & paste the Q&A {using your answers, of course!}