About Us!!

Amanda and Stacia first met in 2005 when Stacia did an internship in Amanda's classroom.  They hit it off immediately.  Amanda told Stacia that she was welcome to come back and do her student teaching with her the next spring, and Stacia said she'd love to.  (Amanda thought she was just being nice to say that she'd like to student teach with an OCD teacher!).  The next fall, Amanda got an email from Stacia asking if she could still come and do her student teaching with her and Amanda said, "Heck yeah!  Come on, girl!" Stacia did her student teaching with Amanda and then she got a job at a different school (which Amanda was very excited for but she knew that she would miss Stacia!).  Stacia started her first year of teaching and at the end, there were several openings on her grade level at her school and so she emailed Amanda and asked her to please transfer to her school (she knew Amanda needed to get closer to home and this school was closer).  Amanda put in for the transfer, interviewed, and got the job, working with Stacia!!  The rest is history!!

  

Hey there!!  Here's my autobiography!!  ;O)

I graduated from college with my bachelors in Early Childhood Education in 2000, which was also the summer I got married, moved to Memphis and started teaching 3rd grade.  While in Memphis, I got my Masters in Curriculum Development.   I taught in Memphis for 4 years and then we moved back home to Georgia right after my daughter was born in 2004.  I began teaching in the same district that I grew up in (but not the same school).  I got my Specialist Degree in 2008 in Educational Leadership and Administration (but I'm not sure I EVER want to wear THAT hat!).  I taught 3rd grade up until 2011 and then looped up to 4th that year (with my class and with Stacia!) and have been in 4th ever since.  Praise the Lord that they moved us up together or I'd have gone loony for sure!! Stacia helps to keep me sane and they knew there was no splitting us up!!

Third grade still has my heart, but I do like many things about 4th grade.  The only thing holding me back from full on loving 4th is that in my district, 4th grade is a huge accountability grade level and students have to pass ALL subject areas (reading, grammar  math, science, and social studies) of the state test to be promoted to 5th grade.  It's a lot of responsibility, stress, and accountability put on the 4th grade teachers, and I tend to be a perfectionist, and I'm really hard on myself!  I do love that my 4th graders get my sarcastic and dry sense of humor!!

I have a wonderful husband and three adorable children (I can be biased!!).  I call my house the three-ring circus because something crazy is always going on!!

I love to share ideas and learn from others.  I truly know that I am a life long learner, and I am not satisfied with doing things just because it's how I've always done it.  I went into teaching because I had a very hard time learning in elementary school.  I was bored and had difficulty in the area of reading.  All I can remember from my elementary school days is sitting at my desk and listening to the teacher read from a textbook.  I cannot recall hardly any of my teachers' names and there is not one that I can say ever made a difference in my life.  I was a good kid that sat back and pretended like I understood, but I didn't.  And, no one ever caught on.  I went into teaching because I wanted to help students.  I wanted to make a difference.  If I could help just one kid that was like me get the help they needed, then I would feel successful!  I still strive for that every year.  Who knows if I'm helping, but I hope I am!!  And, if it helps for me to share some ideas on this little ole' blog and helps you, too, then I am all for it!!  But, I'd also like to learn from you, so be sure to comment and share what works for you!!

Thanks for stopping by our little blog!!
Amanda

Hey y'all!

I am so excited to get to share a little about myself with you. I graduated from college with a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. I absolutely loved my school's program, not only because it was how I got to meet my BFF and MENTOR Amanda, but because I got so much in-school experience working on all different grade levels. I also earned my Math Endorsement while I was there.

When I graduated, I got a job teaching third grade. I loved the school and was just settling in to the first month with my sweet little class, when I learned that I was being displaced. The principal at my school was amazing, and she was able to get me a job at another elementary school in the same cluster, just 10-15 minutes down the road. I was offered an opportunity to team teach with another third grade teacher. She had taught for 30 years, and was retiring at the end of the school year. I learned SO MUCH from her, and I LOVE her. It was such an incredible experience to have me in my first year teaching and her in her last sharing and collaborating together. :)

I have stayed at that school ever since. I taught third grade for four years, and I am in my second year of teaching fourth grade. Last year, Amanda and I earned our Gifted Endorsement and Certification through our county. It was a great way to learn more about how to reach all of our students. I love teaching fourth grade! The age of the students is perfect except when drama develops...LOL...I never realized how much drama there could be with nine and ten year-olds! :) But, I love the curriculum, and the people I work with! I am very blessed to be at such a wonderful school. If I could just get rid of all the testing...

Last summer, I married my best friend. He and I met seven years ago through my cousin. We are enjoying our first year of married life. I am so lucky to have such a sweet, caring, and supportive husband. :)

I feel so fortunate that Amanda and I can collaborate on this blog together. I don't know what I would do without her! From my days student teaching with her to now working next door, she never ceases to amaze me. I admire her so much, and I learn from her every day.

I love sharing ideas, but I love LEARNING from other teachers even more. Thank you for visiting us and sharing your ideas! :)

Stacia