Welcome!

Hi friends and colleagues,
     This is the start of my very own, education-focused blog. My hope is to use this as a connecting tool for my own professional development and community as well as a reflexive tool. I thought I'd start out by telling you a bit about myself and why I chose this title!
      I am a Fifth Grade teacher right outside of Philadelphia, PA. For the last five or so years, I have focused on teaching Reading, Double Accelerated Math [think algebra for 10 years olds], and Social Studies. I am a creative and artistic person at heart, and it bleeds into my classroom; as it should! Entering my room you will find visuals that are handmade and usually be greeted with the sound of soothing music. Ok, not always soothing music- but music! The other major staple in my classroom…Minions!
       Over the course of the last few years, since Despicable Me, I have fallen in love with those little Minions. They are easily my favorite part of both movies. They are all around my room, not only for my own enjoyment but for extra cool points with the kiddos too. In all seriousness though, I've found that having a classroom filled with a character that is current and fun can be an amazing classroom tool.

     Meet Dave, our classroom mascot. The majority of the time, when Dave requests something it's done quite quickly and pleasantly. He also is great at keeping an eye out for students who don't think I'm watching them. One of my favorite traits that Dave has is the one that helps him calm down students who need some quiet time. 

                                                                 

     Dave is surrounded by many other Minions in our room. I have placed cut outs and images of them everywhere. Some of them are placed in strategic locations with speech bubbles to remind students of classroom procedures or appropriate behaviors. Others are there for moral support and an extra eye. It seems silly, but you'd be surprised how many times a day a Minion is helpful to me. When I have that one student with too much energy or another who is anxious; Dave is great for cuddling and calming.  When you tell even a ten year old, "Dave's watching you," they seem to perk up and work harder.  

     And then there are the days when I feel like I'm teaching a classroom of 28 minions! This year has been all about teaching me to be more flexible and use anything around me to my advantage. I'm hoping that my journey in the last few years and future years will be a starting point for discussions with teachers all over. If this blog can be a way for me to connect with other teachers, get great ideas from them, and give helpful ideas in return then it will fulfill its purpose! Thanks for taking the time to read this. I look forward to conversations along the way. 

     For now, this is good-bye from me, Dave and Carl <3