Liebster Award

 Yesterday I received a tweet from Holly at Reading, Teaching and Learning nominating me for the Liebster Award.  I had been reading a few other blogs that had been nominated, so I was excited when she nominated my blog.  This award is given to "up and coming" bloggers who have less than 200 followers. (I will be breaking this rule because I have no idea how many for some of them) Nominations come from other bloggers, and as I have constantly said without support from other bloggers I would not be where I am today. Thank you Holly for reading my blog and for this nomination.

Rules for participating in this blog award are as follows:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated me. 
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers. 
3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator.
4. Share 11 random facts about yourself. 
5. Create 11 questions for your nominees. 
6. Contact your nominees by commenting on their blog or sending them an email to communicate the nomination.

1.  If you could invite any three authors or illustrators to dinner, who would they be?
a) I wish I could have met Carolyn Haywood because I went to the library every Saturday to choose a new book in the series. My favorite was B is for Betsy.

b) Again I wish I could have met Laura Ingalls Wilder:  I loved the whole series; I read every one of them at least twice.  We live in the country now, and I am pretty sure I started dreaming about it back when I read Little House on the Prairie.

c) Chris Lehman and Troy Hicks would be my final two although now it is 4 :) Both of these authors have shifted my thinking and helped me realize the importance of 21^st Century skills.

2.  If you were stranded on a desert island, what luxury item would you want with you?

I think I would have to bring my iPad because I would have my books, journaling, and music all on one device.  However, after the battery dies out I would be in big trouble. Hopefully I would be rescued soon.

3.  What is one important thing you learned in the past year?

How important the word “yet” can be at the end of a sentence. I heard this at a conference, and I am working diligently on adding it to several of my BIG ideas.

4.  What is the number one thing on your bucket list?

WOW that is a difficult question because I always think of my list as my future goals so I hope to achieve them.  Right now my selfish goal is to go to Ochos Rios Jamaica.

5.  What are some of your professional goals?

Continue growing (again) with technology in my classroom. Start breaking down the walls and opening conversations beyond Room 228. 

6.  Who or what makes you laugh?

I am blessed because my husband is funny and always knows when I need to laugh at home. My teaching partner, Sarah, and I laugh constantly at school and that makes life fun.

7.  If you had to write a personal motto or mission statement, what would it be?

My mom taught me when I was little and away from home to "always look at the moon because we are looking at the same one"  I have taught our children, so no matter where we are - we're all looking at the same moon.

8.  If you were allowed to talk about only one book for the next month, what would it be?

For school, it would be How to Steal a Dog. The lessons learned and the importance of family is one of my all time favorite books!!  Thanks Barbara O'Connor.

My personal book same kind of different As me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. This was a "life changing" book for me so many important ideas to consider.

9.  What is the one T.V show you can't miss?

CBS Sunday Morning

10.  Where do you want to be in 15 years?

I will be retired, spending time with our children (possibly grandchildren) and enjoying time with my husband.

11.  What was your proudest moment?

The day I married my best friend and today is our 28 anniversary.  The day our two children were born.  It’s all about family for me.

Taken this summer in Charleston, South Carolina

Random 11 facts:

1.  I love to take photos of flowers and unique architecture especially older buildings.

2.  My first teaching job was as a Special Ed. teacher in St. Louis.

3.  I've been to Boston 10 times with 50 soon to be sixth graders. 

4.  We have had horses, pigs, and cows on our farm. Several adorable kittens and our dog's name is Ringo after the Beatles.

5.  I don't like hot days.

6.  I love The Ohio State Buckeyes. 

7.   After I retire from teaching, I might want to work at Hallmark.

8.  I am excited for new opportunities presented this summer (NCFL and CL)

9.  I am a country girl that goes to the city to work.

10.  Our driveway is almost a mile long.

Here are my 11 questions, can’t wait to read your answers.

1.  Where is your favorite place to write?

2.  If you could have a second career what would you do?

3.  Describe a perfect Saturday morning.

4.  What is your favorite sport?

5.  If you could call anyone and talk to them, who would you call?

6.  Where would you like to visit if you could travel anywhere in the world?

7.  What book do you read aloud to your class every year?

8.  What is one secret that we don't know about your classroom?

9.  Would you rather be near the ocean or near the mountains?

10. What is the best advice you would give to a new teacher in your building?

11.  What is your favorite candy bar?

Excited to read your responses:

Barbara @  Wondering Through 2012 and Beyond

Tara @ A Teaching Life
Melissa @  Figuring Out How the Pieces Fit Together
Tracy @ Thinking Stems

Paul @ Mr. Hankins is Reading and Writing Kentuckiana