Teacher Week - Day 1 (belated!)

Babbling Abby is having "Teacher Week" at her blog and it looks fun so I'm jumping on the bandwagon a tad late but still jumping!

10 Things About Me As A Teacher.

1.  I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a small child. Like most small children I made my friends play school with me, and couldn't wait to get my very own classroom. 

2.   I had a tough time becoming a teacher but it was worth the hard work! I was originally an elementary education major at the fantastic University of Oklahoma but was discouraged after a few classes with a horrible professor. The last straw of me leaving the College of Education was when my professor wrote in my portfolio that I "wouldn't make a good teacher" after I had spent the summer in South Carolina being a teacher's aide and being asked to transfer schools (by my principal!) It took me a few years to figure out that I could teach no matter what people said and now have a Masters in Middle School Education (English & History).  

3. Like most states Oklahoma "released" quite a few non-returning contracts aka new teachers. I was lucky enough not to be one of those teachers but I didn't find any of this out until early July. I also didn't get the email to sign my contract until yesterday!

4. I am about to embark on a HUGE challenge in my classroom and I can't wait. I am implementing a program called "Ramp-Up" that is 90 minutes of instruction with a GIANT emphasis on reading books. I love reading and I love sharing my love of reading. I also love that I have a reason to be surrounded by books all day. (nerd alert nerd alert)

5. I am an English teacher but hate capitalization, and grammar. 

6. I have noticed that in my head (for the most part) I correct people on the way they speak.

7. I fight everyday to keep the word "ain't" out of my classroom, but can't seem to rid the word "yall" from mine.

8. I have a ball at work! Even on the toughest day I can usually still find something to laugh about, see a students eyes light up when they get something.

9. I truly despise teachers who are just there for the paycheck! If you want a paycheck for doing nothing retire. We are not babysitters and you pretending to be one gives the rest of us a bad name.

10. I recently got mistaken for a student in the hallway by my former principal, so when I arrived at school this year to pick up a few things my colleagues introduced me to the new principal and assistant principal so they would know I'm not a middle school student but a teacher.

I could go on and on about things but I feel like these are the most important to me right now! (Number 1 is just funny!)