Introduction

I'm not a writer. I'll start with that. Teaching writing is actually the subject that I feel is my weakest area. Sentence structure, grammar, all of it...beyond difficult. But here I am, writing on a blog. You may ask "why?" That question would have a few parts:

• I hope to encourage new teachers, and any teacher really through my blog. My goal is to be encouraging and positive. I love sharing ideas, helping others through unexpected challenges, and talking about my experiences in the classroom. I am hoping this is platform for that.
• With the understanding that teachers are multifaceted creatures, I aim to use this blog to show that side of our career. I am a teacher, but I am also a wife, mother, Christian, wanna-be-runner, and gym rat in the making. Many lessons I learn in other areas of my life cross into my teaching, and vice versa.
• Reading blogs of other teachers has encouraged me, but finding blogs of middle school teachers, and specifically the rare bread of 6th grade teachers (not quite elementary but not quite middle) has been tricky. I hope to be a voice for those of us who are learning about this delicate and difficult age. 

Now that I have my goals in place, how about a little about me. Well, as you've probably guessed by now I am a sixth grade teacher. 2013-2014 will be my 7th year (what!!) of teaching this age. At my middle school we are a 6-8th grade building, however our 6th grade are not departmentalized (that means I teach everything, everyday!). In 2013-2014 I will also be working with my first intern (our student teachers are with us for the entire school year) so I'm looking forward to sharing my learning experiences through that adventure.

I am a mom to lively, rambunctious, and stubborn 3 year old who keeps me on my toes every day. I am the wife, heading into my 7th anniversary, of a Godly computer software engineer who is incredibly talented at anything he sets his mind too (including but not limited to his job and playing the bass guitar). I am a Christian, something that in pubic education can be something of a challenge. I love my new Bible Study on Twitter (#hellomornings) and my Facebook group through (in)courage.me. I work out at an amazing gym every morning at 5:30am - hey, it's the mom/full time work thing, when else will I find time! And I have an amazing extended family.

I hope that this blog will be an encouragement to those that need it. I welcome comments, however please keep them positive. What I share is my personal experiences, my personal life, and with that in mind I ask for your respect as a reader and as a colleague. Best, and happy reading!

My loves