What a great way to help teachers!

Teacher's Notebook is working to earn $10,000 to give to teachers as $25 gift certificates to buy things they need in their classroom.  There is a great short video about it at this link.  Please check it out and donate if you can.  If not at least take a minute to post on your blog or share on Facebook about this wonderful resource for teachers.

Click the image below to check it out!  Thank so much! Let's spread the word so they can reach the goal of $10,000.  Make sure to check back Aug. 9th to sign up to win one of those certificates.  Every penny helps! Thank you Teacher's Notebook!

New Teacher advise

I just have to link up to Fabulously First's party because I love helping new teachers. 

 I would love to be the new teacher liaison and show them around the school and give them copies of all my files, and all my blog connections to help them get started.  I have a soft spot for new teachers because when I first started 15 years ago, I had a very difficult time and thought I had made a mistake.  I was hired 3 weeks after school started due to over crowded classes.  So you know what that means...the teachers got to pick which kids I got.  I was 3 halls away from any other 2nd grade classes and no one seemed to want to help me or share with me.  I was given 2 days to set up a room and BOOM!  you're a teacher now teach! I was given a mentor, but she was a 9 year Kindergarten teacher and couldn't really help me with 2nd grade.  She was a "social butterfly" of the school too and didn't have much time for me.  Anyway, I made it through, but really didn't get help until my third year, I was moved to Kindergarten and had a great mentor that was across from me and actually took time to help me.  She observed me, videoed me and reviewed it with me.  She observed me and we talked after.  Finally!  I was becoming the teacher I had hoped I would be.  I would have to credit my improvement over the last 15 years to the great co-workers I have been able to work with along the way who were willing to help, share and even sometimes give correction when needed.  So I would say my best advise to a new teacher would be ...

1. Be a team player.
2. Do a lot of listening, but don't just sit back and let yourself be overwhelmed.  Ask questions when you don't understand something.  Teachers can talk fast and use a lot of teacher jargon.  Ask, ask, and ask again.
3. Get to know your team and be willing to learn from them.
4. Find the teachers that everyone goes to for advise and hang out in their room as much as possible.

Above all have a love for your kids and know that each year will get better and better.

P.S. I really like Simply Primary's advise too so I thought I would add a link to hop you right over to it.

Linking up!!

I love this teaching blog world I have entered into.  I feel it is a very real blessing in my life.  Not only does it give me a place to share things that I love and gripes sometimes, but I also have been able to become a much better teacher because of all my blogging friends who share...share...share!  I am joining Kindergarten Lifestyle's link up to share my blog and also have a place to find over 200 other great primary blogs.  Thank you so much for doing this!  I hope you enjoy reading and I can offer something helpful to someone.



Link up to find so many great blogs to help inspire you!

Teacher Toolbox!!

I did it! Another great Pinterest inspired project.  I found it first on Pinterest and I think the original credit goes to Create-Teach-Share.  Check it out here.  I also found a great template for the words at Fun in Room 4B. Check it out here. 

I am already in love with it and I don't even have stuff in it.  :)  I am going to be so organized.  Thank you Pinterest and Blogging buddies!