An Otherwise Employed Teacher

I may have just made something up... I'm not sure I've heard the words, "An Otherwise Employed Teacher" together in a sentence before, but that is exactly what I am. I've been a little M.I.A. lately because, quite honestly, I've been a little sad.

As you probably have figured out, I am not teaching elementary school this year. After moving back to Southern California, I was unable to secure full time employment in a classroom of my own. I was offered three different part-time positions and turned down all three. Now, you might be asking yourself,

Why would you turn down a good job?

It's hard to find teaching jobs in Southern California.

You should be grateful for any work!

And, you may be right. I asked myself the same questions and even talked for hours about those questions with my husband (who is incredibly logical in these scenarios...). In a time and place where a teacher's worth is undervalued, I chose to take a stand. I took a look at my work experience and resume and decided that with 6 years of business experience, a Masters degree from a prestigious university, and classroom experience, I am qualified to be more than an Instructional Aide. I deserve more than 70% pay for 100% work. I will not settle. I do not settle in my personal life and I will not settle in my professional life.

Now you may be asking, "What about the kids?" Don't get me wrong, if there was an opportunity to have my own classroom full-time, I would be there in a heartbeat. But that wasn't the case. I love those little buggers and can't wait to get back in there, but the timing just wasn't right.

So what am I doing with that amazing resume? Luckily, I have contacts at a company that I worked for previously and I am still teaching. Instead of sitting criss-cross applesauce on the floor, I am presenting in high rises and boardrooms. I have traded in my teacher uniform (cardigans, slacks, and flats) for some stilettos and am working with attorneys and paralegals. Upped that public school wage for something a little more substantial. And... I get to travel. What is awesome is that having gone through my credential program and spent last year in the classroom, I have a much better understanding of how to communicate with my students. My presentations and seminars are much more interactive and I am loving it!

So, now that that's over with, I thought I would share some photos from the past few weeks. It is the least I can do for those of you that hung in there through this lengthy post!

 One of my favorite work outfits. Those shoes are 5" tall!

 My view from the train down to San Diego for a work trip.

 My room at the W San Diego.

 My view on the way home from San Diego.

 This is what happens when you lift weights at 5:00 in the morning.

 This is what happens when you lift weights at 5:00 in the morning for 4 months.

 My view on the way to Las Vegas.

 The Palms Casino after the longest shuttle ride ever.

 My upgraded suite at The Palms that I had all to myself. It was huge! And a little boring... I fell asleep watching Survivor at 8:30. The best part was that I took a bath in that amazing tub and the water came from the ceiling!

And finally, my view from the suite. I was on the 27th floor and it was breathtaking!

p.s. I love Instagram. You can follow me @dd_aa_nn_ii!

Currently and BBK

I love when Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade hosts her Currently linky party. It was one of my very first blog posts back in January. So here goes...

I am also working on a post about our Building Background Knowledge activity we did in my classroom today for Charlotte's Web.  My kids had a blast and are super pumped about the book, but more on that tomorrow!

Dropbox is My Homie

I use Dropbox every single day.  We are homies.  We hang out at home, at school, sometimes even on my iPad. It has really become an invaluable tool for me.  Dropbox is a "cloud" storage program that allows you to save your documents in a Dropbox folder.  With an easy installation, you can access any file from any computer.  The program keeps your files synced and accessible from any computer.  All through grad school, I was saving to a thumb drive, emailing myself, and finally using Google Docs, but I always had multiple versions of files that were getting mixed up, then I found Dropbox.  I put all of my "teaching files" into my folder and I can easily access any of them from my school desktop or laptop without having to use an external hard drive. I especially love that I can move freely between my home desktop (in the office) and my laptop (usually in front of the TV).

As a new Dropbox user, you start with 2GB of free space.  You can earn more space by inviting others (250MB for each invitee that downloads the program and they get extra space, too!) or purchase more space, but 2GB has been great for me so far. My grade level team and I have also started to use Dropbox and Shared Folders to share documents with one another and it has been wonderful.  It's nice to know that we all have access to the most current version of important documents.

Oh, and I almost forgot... Dropbox retains all previous versions of saved files for up to 30 days!

Leave a comment if you would like an invite so we can both get the 250MB of extra space!

Do you use Dropbox?

~dani~

p.s. This is not a paid endorsement for Dropbox.  I just really, really love it.  :)

Valentine's Day

I have lots of fun activities planned for my class on Valentine's Day this year.  I'm not sure why I'm so excited.  Maybe it's because it's my first class Valentine's Day, or maybe it's because my husband hates Valentine's Day and we never do anything big to celebrate.  Whatever my reasoning, I'm pretty sure it has a lot to do with the amazingly fun things I have found on Pinterest (love...) and on my fellow teacher-blogger websites.  I love all of the amazing freebies and units that everyone is creating (I'm planning to start creating my own this summer... I've gotta survive year 1 first!)  Here are some of the wonderful things that I will be using on Tuesday.

These beauties are from The Teacher Wife and I love the idea of at least one sugar-free treat! And I spent under $3 for the ENTIRE CLASS!

p.s. I love Instagram... 

The kiddos will be doing this morning work from Made In The Shade In 2nd Grade.

We will also be using this comprehension activity freebie from All-Things-Picture-Books Teacher's Notebook Shop.

We are also going to play Minute to Win It (Valentine's style) from stacy julian.  So fun!

{Click picture to download the PDF)

Here's what they have to do, in 60 seconds or less:

1. Bite the ends off the Red Vine
2. Open the Pixy Stix and dump the powder into the circle
3. Use the Red Vine straw to blow the powder out of the circle
4. Open the Hershey's Kiss with one hand and eat it
5. Arrange their M&Ms in the circle
6. Complete the "M&Ms Math" problem!

This is going to be insanity, I know... but we'll do it outside and the kids are going to love it!

We are also going to be doing a hearts-only art activity and writing project.  I'll be sure to post pictures when they're done!

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

You know you're a teacher when...

I love laminating.  I hate the cutting afterward.  But, I LOVE LAMINATING!

That's mine!

 This is very evident when we gather... Comfort is key!

This is a really important test!

~dani~

Currently February - It's been over a month!!

Holy cow!  It's been over a month since I started blogging and time has gone by in a flash.  One of my first posts was Oh' Boy 4th Grade's Currently January.  I was so proud that I figured out how to do it.  I've learned a few bloggy things since then, and am having a wonderful time spilling my guts here.  Well, here we are, almost mid-February and I'm at it again!

Join the linky party here:

 

One more week and I'm on vacay! I'm am so ready for a break!

~dani~

Sometimes you just need a laugh.

It's been crazy busy and I promise to blog about all of the wonderful things happening soon, but until then, check this video out.  I was literally crying because I was laughing so hard.



love,
~dani~

Check Out My Desk!

I love Clutter-Free Classroom! I love reading about all of the storage, organization and management ideas and I am slowly, but surely, attempting to revamp my classroom.  I am lucky that I am a newbie and I don't have a ton of stuff, but it is really easy to allow things to pile up (especially on my desk).  I started my recent organization kick with the realization that my desk drawer was not necessarily as organized as I thought it was.  You can read about my obsession with office supplies here. Well, I have been busy for the last few days, and while I forgot to take a picture of the before, here is the after:

TADA!

Just ignore those charts living under my desk... they're next on the list!

Don't mind the folder on the left, that's my sub binder and folder for tomorrow. I'm attending a meeting for the county Curriculum Leadership Council (sounds important, huh?). We are unpacking the Common Core State Standards and looking at grade level progressions.  I actually really enjoy these meetings.  More on that tomorrow!

I even cleaned off my one-on-one workspace.  Aren't you impressed?

I must say that my motivation was two-fold.  It definitely helped that I have a sub coming in tomorrow and I want to make sure that they are as comfortable and things go as smoothly as possible.

Happy Wednesday!

~dani~

HOLLA!

My fellow third grade teachers and I do a Science and Social Studies rotation on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. We plan a six-lesson unit and rotate our groups every three weeks. We mix our students up and group them strategically. They all love being in class with kids from other classes and we get to have tons of fun. I am currently teaching Animal Adaptations (which is one of my favorites...) and I have an amazing video I like to break the ice with. Here it is...



We begin the lesson with brainstorming examples of different types of adaptations, then we watch the video.  It always gets tons of laughs and usually kids are singing along by the end of the song. After the video, the kids each got a copy of the lyrics and they highlighted all of the adaptations that the camel mentions in the song.  We then came back together to review all of the different adaptations in the video.

And for the finale, I play the video one more time and the kids follow along with their highlighted lyrics. This time, they all sing along and I love it!

Right as the video finished up, I heard a little voice say, HOLLA! And I burst into laughter!  It was amazing!  It was completely unexpected and the timing was perfect.  I gave the little lady a high five and excused everyone back to their classrooms.  I will definitely be using this video again. :)

~dani~

Today was a Good Day...

After all of that stressing and planning, I have to admit, my work definitely paid off today.  Today was really one of the smoothest days I have had this year.  I was very specific in my planning and I've always heard that the best classroom management is a good lesson, and when you get an entire day's worth of good lessons, the results are amazing!  One of the most successful parts of the day was our Robust Vocabulary lesson. We started with a vocabulary preview and gallery walk that I read about over at One Extra Degree.  I placed pink sheets of paper around the room and the kids had 10 minutes to walk around and add a definition, example, or illustration to each poster.  They were also to read what other students had read to make deeper connections.  My kiddos loved it!

It was really great to see how much they already knew about our Robust Vocabulary words before they were introduced.  We then discussed (along with a wonderful PowerPoint) word meanings and additional examples of the words.  The rest of the day seemed to fly by and went off without a hitch.  I left school feeling energized and excited about tomorrow.  Not to mention, I found this in my bucket today:

I love my job...  

~dani~

   

I've Been Tagged!

This is fun!  I love all of you blogger-people.  Thank goodness I finished everything up for the week, because now it's fun time!  I've been tagged by Miss S over at Just Teaching... Kindergarten, so here we go.

1. You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them to your post!
5. Let them know you've tagged them!

12 fun things about me...

1. Teaching kiddos is my second career.  I authored and presented continuing education seminars for attorneys for five years before returning to school to get my Master's and Credential at UC Irvine.
2. I am 30.  Yikes.  Did I just type that out loud?
3. I have been married for 5 years to my best friend and we have a fur-baby named Duke.
4. I student-taught with a male partner (who was and is AMAZING!).
5. I used to teach a fitness class called Boogie Box.
6. I have a group of friends from school (The Carpool) that are amazing to bounce ideas off of.
7. It's almost my one month bloggiversary!
8. I really want to be a mom sometime in the near future.
9. 23 out of 28 of my students are English Learners.
10. I used to have super short blonde hair just like P!nk.
11. I am addicted to Cinnamon Dolce Lattes from Starbucks.  Whole milk, whipped cream and all.  I only allow myself one per week, usually on Sunday mornings.
12. My husband and I got married at a historic house in Palm Springs, CA. 

Miss S's questions for me...

1. How long have you been teaching? This is my very first year!
2. Has your school ever had anyone famous visit? Not that I know of.
3. What is your favorite subject to teach? I am definitely a math girl.
4. What did you want to be when you were growing up? A cheerleader. Yes, I know.  It's actually why I went to college the first time.
5. Where was the last place you went out to dinner? Wahoo's Fish Tacos at Santana Row.
6. Do you work out? Oh, yeah... Dance aerobics in my empty room.  Google Clubland Workouts.
7. Does your school have art class? Not officially, but we have a retired teacher that floats and will teach my kids every other month.
8. Coke or Pepsi? Neither... that stuff will kill ya!
9. Have you ever been to Wisconsin? Nope.
10. Driver or passenger? Passenger.
11. How many siblings do you have? Five total. Two brothers and two sisters.
12. What is the ratio or male to female teachers at your school? 2:15

Now for 12 blogs to tag.... 

1. Teri at A Cupcake for the Teacher
2. HBrown at A New Teacher's Journey
3. Amy at The Resource(ful) Room!
4. Krissy at Krissy's Kindergarten
5. Lori at Conversations in Literacy
6. Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6
7. Julie at Lighting a Fire in Third Grade
8. Sara at Smiling in Second
9. Mrs. McKown at Little Literacy Learners
10. Melissa at Teaching Fashionista
11. Kelli at Castles and Crayons
12. Tanya at A Class Act

And Finally....

1. How often do you post on your blog?
2. Phone camera or camera camera?
3. What was the last book you read?
4. What color polish is on your nails?
5. Snow or sand?
6. How long have you been teaching?
7. Have you ever been a mentor teacher?
8. What does the perfect day look like?
9. Can you wear jeans to school?
10. Do you play and instruments?
11. What is your favorite dessert?
12. What is the best meal that you cook? (I'm a little hungry, can you tell?)

Thanks for playing!

Nigh-night!

~dani~

My Name is Dani & I Am An Office-Supply-A-Holic

So I was doing some reading over at Clutter-Free Classroom about keeping a clean desk and I am waaaaay off!!  Here is the top drawer of my desk.

Yes, there are trays and rubberbands of similar writing instruments, and the ones that are in current rotation are all in one place (in the small tray on the right). But I have come to the realization that I have a problem.  I. AM. ADDICTED.  I love office supplies.  And today I realized that I have been hoarding pens and pencils like a crazy person.  So much so that my drawer looks like that. But I thought I was organized...

My major missteps (according to Clutter-Free Classroom) are as follows:

• Stop using Post-It Notes.  Instead keep one notebook designated for reminders and to do lists.  (See that collection of them?  Right by the gum? Yeah, there are a bunch! And you should see the top of my desk!)
• Schedule times to clean your desk.  Make this a routine. (I'm pretty good at this, but I could do a lot better. I'm thinking when my kids clean up. What a concept?)
• Stick to one pen (!!!!!!). Pick a brand and color that you like and use it exclusively. Only keep 2-3 on hand at a time. (HOLY COW! Can you imagine how much space I could have in that drawer up there?)

I am totally revamping my desk tomorrow.  My next dilemma... what am I going to do with all of that extra space?

~dani~

Spread a Little Sunshine

I found these on Pinterest this evening and I am totally going to spread the love this week.  I have been feeling a little lonely and my bucket has been feeling a little empty, so I am going to put my money where my mouth is!  I will be anonymously filling buckets all week with these adorable little notes.

How fun is that??

~dani~