Meet the Teacher!

I've decided to join the party over at The First Grade Parade!  It almost didn't happen, because we didn't have heat or electric for half of the day, and once it came back on, our Internet was busted.  The fact that I was going stir-crazy without the Internet, sadly, proves how addicted I am to blogging!  I have honestly had so much fun browsing everyone's blogs and admiring all of the super creative teachers out there!  So, I am really excited about the chance to get to know everyone better through this link-up!

I suppose I'll start with the introductions!  My name is Amanda!  I'm 26 , and I've been teaching for five years.  I was fortunate enough to marry my best friend over the summer.  I'm a newlywed!  I'm currently learning how difficult it can be to balance teaching, grad school, and marriage.  I don't know how some of you do it with kids!    (The funny thing is, we tried to date in college once, but it took us four years to reconnect and fall in love.  You just never know what's right in front of you. )

We have two dogs, Loralei (a golden retriever) and K-Fed (an Entlebucher Mountain Dog).  Yes, I said K-Fed.  :)  Hubby's idea.  I named my dog after Loralei on Gilmore Girls.  See the difference?  Hahahaha!  Anyway, Loralei and K-Fed are basically our kids... until we decide if and when we want to have kids of our own.  I love kids... but I love puppies too!  Sadly, our puppies are turning into DOGS!  AH!  (It's been an adventure this past year.  Having two puppies that are one month apart is challenging.  I can tell you that I should have bought stock in paper towels last year!)  If you look at the following photos and think, "You know, I want an Entlebucher Mountain Dog", do your research and be forewarned.  They are a LOT of work.  Ours has an anxiety disorder, which is hard when both "parents" work.  He has destroyed a million things this year... and he tried to bite Santa.  Yes, that's right.  K-Fed is on the naughty list.

I am a third grade teacher, and I am in LOVE with my job.  I honestly can't picture myself doing anything else, even though it is a challenging and sometimes draining career.  I have so much fun with my kiddos, and teaching is definitely a HOBBY! (As is browsing blogs about teaching, creating lesson plans, making stuff for my classroom, and reading PD books.  Wooo Teaching!)

I love my friends and family.  They are amazing!  Each one of them has made my life so much better and so much more complete!  I am incredibly blessed... :)

       

I love the Cleveland Browns... and the Ohio State Buckeyes.  (I, however, did not go to OSU.  I went to a teeny tiny little school called Marietta College.)  Someday, I just know, that the Browns will be on top again before I die.  I just know it.  Until then, I will remain a faithful fan.  (This a picture of Don Cockcroft and I from 2007.  He was the kicker for the Browns back in the days of the Cardiac Kids... aka... the height of Browns football.  Ahhh... exciting!)

Now for the Q & A

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

A:  This is a tough one!  I honestly can't imagine doing anything else with my life.  I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I can remember.  So, I guess I'll just say that I'm currently working on my Masters in Literacy Curriculum & Instruction, and I hope to work as a Literacy Coach later in my career.  I'm also toying with ideas of going the whole dissertation route, because I ultimately think I would like to work at a college. 

Q: What are your hobbies?                                                                                    

A:  Teaching, reading, singing, spending time with Brad & the puppies, shopping, taking pictures, running, and trying new recipes!                                                                

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

A: I always wanted to be a teacher.  In the school memory book my mom kept, I actually had three dream jobs.  I wanted to be a teacher, a model, and a mom.  Throughout the years, I thought that being an archeologist, a pediatrician, or a news anchor sounded exciting, but ultimately, my heart has been set on teaching my entire life.   It was always the front-runner for me.

Q: What are your guilty pleasures?                                                                

 A: McDonald's sweet tea, Ann Taylor Loft, TJ Maxx, Reeses anything, and really bad reality TV!

Q: What is your biggest fear?!                                                                     

 A:  I have very irrational fears... of clowns and needles.  I have come to terms with the fact that I will need to endure needles in my life.  I have not yet come to terms with clowns.  Don't ask me why.  They terrify me to the point of hyperventilation.  I seriously start to sweat, and my heart starts pounding out of my chest when I see one.  I think it has something to do with the exaggerated faces.  I hate mimes, ventriloquist dummies, and anything that looks anything like a clown or a creepy doll. 

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

 A:  We went to Chichen Itza for our honeymoon, and I fell in love with the area!  Can we say tropical paradise?!  It was gorgeous!  Plus, since I am a bit of a history junkie, I was totally enamored by the Mayan ruins, like Chichen Itza!

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

A:   "Let go, and let God."  I can be a little OCD in all aspects of my life.  I want everything to be perfect all of the time, and let's face it, that is not possible.  I definitely always remind myself of this quote anytime I feel myself trying to juggle the whole world and majorly stressing. 

Q: What do you value most in others?                                                                   

A: I definitely value honesty the most.  I think that people who can tell the truth, even when they know that the truth is ugly, are people of character.  I also admire people who march to the beat of their own drum.  I think, ultimately, we all need to be who we are, and we need to be true to ourselves.

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

A:  Empathy.  It is so important to care for others and to be able to put yourselves in their shoes.

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

A:  Jesus, Taylor Swift (I might be her oldest fan!), Nicole Kidman, Mother Theresa, and Nelson Mandela. 

Now tell us one random thing about yourself:

When I was a 90 lb. 8th grader, I beat a group of high school football players in a pizza eating contest at a local festival.   Then, I ate chicken, a Hershey bar and downed a 20 oz. Mountain Dew before accepting my plaque!  Hahahaha!  I would do anything to have that metabolism now!  I swear, I look at food and I gain weight!

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!}  Copy the web address of your “Meet the Teacher” post and go to The First Grade Parade to link up!  It would be GREAT if you could visit at least 3 other teachers…get to know a little bit about your fellow bloggers…and leave a comment!!!! Don't forget to grab a button when you link up!