Meet the Teacher Monday {{2013 Edition!}}

Is it really that time of year?  I feel like just yesterday I was participating in last year’s Teacher Week!

I just introduced myself over on Owl-Ways Be Inspired so I feel slightly silly talkin’ ‘bout myself again…but I’ll try to switch it up at least a little bit :)

First, the quick facts: I love lattes and lemon water, good wine and a really good cheeseburger, my dog is the love of my life, I don’t like spaghetti, but that literally is the extent of food I will not eat. I’m blue-eyed and blond haired, but I’d rather be olive skinned with dark brown hair and eyes.  I love decorating my home and my classroom and I am known to get my shop on…

I was born and bred a Midwestern girl. An Ohio girl to be exact. I’m from a tiny little town populated with more churches than stop lights and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I am still friends with my core group of high school friends.  We just get each other.  We’re silly, sarcastic, and always having way too much fun {is there such a thing?}

{Here we are at my Bachelorette Party last July}

When I was 19 my family moved to New Jersey. I stayed behind at Ohio University for a year until I came to terms with the fact that I am a homebody through and through and I was just too far from my family. It was definitely the right decision. Of course because I met my husband here, but beyond that NJ has so much to offer. I am about 15 minutes from Philadelphia, 2 hours from NYC, an hour from the shore, and about 30 seconds from tons of restaurants, bars, and shopping! 

Speaking of Philadelphia, I have truly fallen in love with this city. I lived on South Street for a year and while occasionally slightly scary {South Street can be pretty crazy at times} it was yet another experience that changed me for the better.

{Source}

My hubby and I are HUGE foodies.  Well, I call us “Rookie Foodies”…we haven’t tried too many crazy foods compared to the serious foodies out there, but we’re on our way!  We love a good pub with craft beer you can’t find anywhere else. We love going out to eat. I was raised in a restaurant family…I can’t help it!

Speaking of my hubby, he’s handsome, hard-working, funny, compassionate, and oh-so patient.  We met through my brother.  They were friends and well, you know how the story goes.  Another thing I love about my husband is how perfectly he fits into my family.  I love seeing the friendship he and my brother have, the respect my mom has for him {and he for my mom}, and he has such a  special way with my sister who is the complete opposite of me. It just works!

{My husband, me, my brother}

{Source}

I love the beach and feel very lucky that my husband’s family has a beach house in Long Beach Island.  Unfortunately, we haven’t been down all summer because Hurricane Sandy wreaked some major havoc on the house.  Compared to many we were fortunate. The house is still standing and the upper level is completely unharmed.  Work is just getting way on the lower level. I guess we have some making up to do next summer!

This past year has been a whirlwind for us..

We got married and our wedding was everything I hoped it would be. Oh, and it was a blast!

I started on Teachers Pay Teachers and my blog grew so much. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.



And we bought a house…

To say that I am blessed is a true understatement.

Thank you for reading a little bit about me.  Be sure to head over to Blog Hoppin’ and learn more about lots and lots of other fabulous blogging teachers.  I’ve already been through half the posts..and I promise…their lives are a lot more interesting than mine!

Have a great week :)

Halle

Catching Up on Teacher Week: My Tuesday-Friday Posts! {including my freebie}

I don't know how some of you do it.  We haven't even started school yet, and I've been too beat to post anything!  I forgot how busy I get during the school year!  I've been hard at work setting up my room all week long.  I thought I'd finish by today, but I'm still gonna need at least one more {extremely long} day to finish it.  Seriously, Monday we're allowed to stay until 11pm.  I just might do it.

So, I fell behind during Teacher Week, but I am determined to still take part.  So I present to you my version of Teacher Week: Tuesday-Friday in ONE DAY!!! Ta-Da!!!!

TUESDAY: My Technology Tip:

1} Shutterfly Share Sites

I use Shutterfly's Share Sites as my classroom website during the school year.  I love it because I can post pictures {that parents can order directly from Shutterfly if they'd like}, send group emails, and write our weekly review all from the same spot.  It's password protected, and you even have the option of allowing parents to post or add photos themselves.  Post important dates to the calendar, and send out last minute reminders.  It is so user friendly. I have tested my fair share of websites in order to find one that works best for my students and parents, and this is it.  Try it out if you're looking to start up a website.

WEDNESDAY: Where I Teach:

Didn't you hear?  My room's not ready yet.  Here are some pictures of what I've been working on.

PS: I teach in New Jersey, but nowhere near Snookie. 

I managed to put my best friends up on a bulletin board.  yes, the trim matches the paper.  Yes, I'm changing it. Long story.

I'm organizing my books using Reagan's classroom library labels.  It's taking forever, but I'm really looking forward to having more specific bins for my kids.  My labels were too broad in the past.

It has a looooong way to go.

My popcorn word wall from The Teacher Wife

THURSDAY: My Therapies :)

1. Georgie, Comfort Food, Wine and My Hubby. Not necessarily in that order ;)

I'm fully aware of how adorable she is.  So is she.

Cheeseburgers. Love.

Lava Vine was our favorite winery on our honeymoon. Check it out.

Isn't he so handsome?

FRIDAY: Freebie!

And for reading all of that, I present you with my freebie!  It's a clip chart I made for my room.  It's really cute and polka-dotty.  I hope you can use it!  Click here to grab it.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Halle