Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie... Meet Danielle

Meet Danielle over at

Krazee 4 Kindergarten

Check out her blog:http://www.krazee4kindergarten.blogspot.com/

Check out her TpT Store:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Danielle-Kg-Teacher

What do you teach? And where? 

I teach Kindergarten- All subjects in Florida

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

Wow...where do I start. :) I would say my favorite memory occurred during my first year of teaching. I was offered a job teaching Kindergarten. At the time, I did not have an education degree, I have an undergraduate degree in Organizational Management and I was finishing up my Master's in Education Technology. I did not have any experience at the time with teaching besides substitute teaching the school year before. I remember telling my mom (who is a 2nd grade teacher) "there is no way I will be able to teach my students to read". Well, then November rolled around and magically after teaching letters and sounds and other reading strategies for the first 2 1/2 months of school my kids were actually reading. This was a WOW moment in my teaching career. I knew right then that I was in the right career- Five years later I am still loving my job as a Kindergarten teacher.

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

My hardest experience while teaching was my first year of teaching. I started teaching 2 1/2 weeks into the school year. The county I work in as a 10 day count rule. Where they wait out the first 10 days of school before hiring new teachers. I was the 6th teacher to join the KG team that school year. Because I did not have the experience of attending an education program or even doing an internship, there was a lot I didn't know. I was very fortunate to have my mom who teaches 2nd grade at the same school support me as well as many other supportive faculty and staff members at my school. They really helped me make it through my first year of teaching.

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

I would say support of fellow teachers is a must! I am grateful to work with wonderful people at my school. Pinterest and TPT have been a lifesaver for me! Always keep on top of the new technologies and strategies out there. When times get stressful, just know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Danielle would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

Scientific Method Posters

Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie...Meet Emily and Beth

Meet Emily Steffen and Beth Mitchell over at

Who Is Ready to Teach

Check out their blog:http://whoisreadytoteach.blogspot.com/

Check out their TpT Store:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beth-Mitchell-And-Emily-Steffen

What do you teach? And where? 

Emily teaches third grade

Beth teaches second and third grade high ability

White Lick Elementary - Brownsburg, IN

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

In the past, both Beth and I have done Service Learning Projects. These opportunities have allowed students' eyes to be opened to the world outside the four walls in the school setting. One year my students made fleece blankets and put together care packages for a Battered Women's Shelter. It was amazing to see how excited the students were to be able to give to the less fortunate and see how important it is to give and not always receive!

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

I think the hardest part of teaching is balancing life and your teaching career. We all put so much heart and soul into teaching and sometimes it is very hard to walk away when the outcome you had hoped for is not always what happens. I always try to remember that these students we teach are kids and that they feel the same pressures that we do and that I need to develop lifelong learners.

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

Being someone who has taught three grade levels in six years, the best advice I would give is to be open to what has been taught in the past but also that you can add your own special touches to the grade level. The first couple of years is just figuring out the curriculum and then you can start to design units and lessons the way that you feel is best for your students learning.

Emily and Beth would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

Catch a Wave with the Four Types of Sentences

Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie...Meet Melissa

Meet Melissa over at 

More Time 2 Teach

Check out her blog:http://moretime2teach.blogspot.com/

Check out her TpT Store:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/More-Time-2-Teach

What do you teach? And where? 

3rd Grade, All subjects, FL

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

Reading aloud to my students and seeing their little faces light up and react to what I am reading.

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

One of the hardest experiences I had was when I first started teaching and realized how political the education system really is.

I took a deep breath and vowed to do the best that I could for my students!

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

First of all,.. stop, breathe, and go!!!! 

Then try to find yourself an experienced teacher in the grade level you will be teaching to mentor you or learn from.

Melissa would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

No Homework, No Problem

Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie....Meet Sara Oberhieide

Meet Sara Oberheide over at 

Innovative To The Core

Check out her blog:http://innovativetothecore.blogspot.com/

Check out her TpT Store: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Sara-Oberheide

What do you teach? And where? 

I teach 5th graders in Baldwin City, Ks.

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

My favorite memory was a few years back when one of my previous students came back to visit. We had a great visit and she said that I was her favorite teacher because she always felt loved and secure in my class. Very touching moment for me and one of the reasons we all continue in this field of work.

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

The hardest experience is working through all of the red tape to help students who desperately need help. I find it difficult waiting a month or two for students to qualify for an IEP or receive title help. I just want to find ways or an extra person to help the student immediately. I have a great relationship with our special education staff so typically we can find ways to get extra support to those kids that need help.

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

I would tell any new teacher to never stop learning. You will NEVER have all the answers for all kids, so listen to your peers around you for help and advice. I love to learn innovative ideas to support students in my classroom!

Sara would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

Cooperative Learning Cards

Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie...Meet Peggy Simpson

Meet Peggy Simpson over at

Special Education on TpT

Check out her TpT Store:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Special-Education-Peggy-Simpson

What do you teach? And where? 

I'm moving into Special Education for incarcerated youth - offenders who are in the 4th grade and up (special ed) but will not be leaving the system and when they turn 18-22, they will transfer to a regular prison. Many of the students have pre-primer level skills so I use K stuff with them. I work in California.

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

One of my students, wouldn't ride the bus to school (little yellow special ed bus) and would only talk in "Pokemon"-not any other language. He/She would scratch, yell, hit, run away and sometimes pee on anyone who tried to get close. I researched "Pokemon," bought some things and started dropping a "trail" (not unlike the Reese's Pieces for E.T.) to my classroom. Within two months, this child was speaking English and their Primary Language and learning! Within a year, they were able to go back to a comprehensive campus. Many years later, I was at the Very Special Arts Festival when I heard, "Ms. Simpson!, Ms. Simpson! And, a young adult came running across the festival and hugged me - I didn't recognize them (they were all "grown-up") until they crouched down in the "familiar" Pokemon stance. We laughed, talked and the student is going on to college. This is "why" we teach!

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

Yikes! I teach Special Education (on a enclosed campus) - so, I have many experiences. I don't think it was ever any "one" experience. . .but every time I have to change to a different site, the first three month (with all new students) can be . . . .interesting??? So many teachers are afraid of the kids I teach - with good reason, my job is not for everyone. What often happens is that they (teachers, admin, parents) have either ignored the students - or, similar, just let them do "whatever" they want to do. This is understandable, since bringing about a positive change takes a tremendous amount of time, creativity and dare I say it???? LOVE. It may sound "trite" but everyone grows with "love" and "acceptance." Every student out there wants to please, sadly many have just forgotten how wonderful being appreciated and celebrated can be. Be the one who helps them remember their "greatness" and you will be amazed with the positive changes you can bring about.

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

Do your homework. Learn everything you can about that grade level. What inspires these students? Who do they idolize? What is the "hot" book/music/movie/cartoon/car right now? Make it FUN!!! Our students come to us today with a high entertainment expectation. How will you compete? You want to be remembered for being the teacher that "changed" someone's life - NOT the teacher who put everyone to sleep.

Know that you are not likely to be interested in the things your students love - case in point, I really NEVER cared about Pokemon (or Yu-Gi-Ow) but I made myself familiar with these cartoons to create a bridge - and it was so worth it!.

Peggy would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

Free Positive Behavior Support Plan