Featured Teacher Author
1. How long have you been on Teachers Pay Teachers? What made you decide to be a part of it?
I joined TpT this past summer (2011), but became truly active in September of this year. I've always loved creating teacher products, and many of the products I sell I am already using with my students. One of my big goals for this year is to learn, share, and grow as an educator... Teachers Pay Teachers is one small step toward achieving this goal!
2. When did you know that you wanted to be in education?
I've always wanted to work with kids... that was a given for me. It wasn't until I went to college and truly got my feet wet in the classroom that I realized teaching was my calling. At first I wanted my own classroom, but after doing volunteer work with a local not-for-profit reading clinic, I realized that I loved Literacy and working with small groups of students on reading/writing skills.
3. How are you currently involved in education?
I am a Reading Specialist for an elementary building in WNY (grades 2-5). Some of my past experiences include serving as a fluency coach, a Summer Literacy Program Coordinator for a local bookstore, and working in a reading clinic.
4. What would be your advice to people who are considering joining Teachers Pay Teachers?
I would advise newbies to the Teachers Pay Teachers market to pick a few products to really "shine" and sell. I made the mistake of just uploading every product I've ever created without putting extra work in. Once I took the time to explain my products, provide directions pages, share possible instructional suggestions, my products started to sell!
5. What has been a highlight, thus far, about being on Teachers Pay Teachers?
Although I am in no way a top-seller, it's a great feeling to know that I'm creating products that other teachers can use! I love being able to share my resources and help-out my teaching colleagues across the nation (and world!). It's very inspiring to see what the top-sellers are accomplishing, and I hope to make a name for myself in the Teacher Pay Teachers market!
6. What is something fun about you that other teachers don’t know?
A fun "tidbit" is that I eventually want to write my own instructional leveled readers and children's picture books. Aside from teaching, I've ALWAYS loved books and wanted to become an author! Perhaps I'll be selling more than graphic organizers and strategy packets one day! :)
7. Do you participate in education outside of the classroom? In what type of role?
I'm very involved in the local reading council (Niagara Frontier Reading Council) and serve as the Social Media Chair and Editor of our newsletter. In my spare time... I blog (http://kristinmjordan.wordpress.com), provide workshops for college students, take part in continuing education, and run an after-school Digital Literacy Club for my school!
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
I would love to learn graphic design and create my own logos and clipart. Right now, I like to play with free fonts and graphics... but I would love for my products to showcase my educational ideas and my artistic ones! I would never leave teaching, but I would definitely use this side-interest to enhance my products!
9. What profession would you not like to do?
I don't think I could ever be in a position where I don't work with children. I've considered teaching higher education, but even indirectly reaching young students would not be enough! I like the day-to-day interactions and celebrating student progress and accomplishments that I was a part of.
10. Who is your favorite author? Favorite educational author? And why?
My favorite author is Chris Van Allsburg. I love how he creates worlds for students to jump into. My all time favorite book is Polar Express!
My favorite educational author is Stephanie Harvey. She is the meat and bones behind all the strategies and instructional activities I create and use everyday. I am inspired by her research and try to incorporate as much research-based strategies and skills into my products!
Ms. Jordan's Prized Picks
Scoop N' Phrase
Do your students need extra practice with scooping and phrasing words? ""Scoop N' Phrase"" sentence building is the perfect fluency activity to reinforce the skill of phrasing during reading. Student will cut the phrase cards out and then put them together to create silly sentences. Don't forget to remind students to SCOOP the words into meaningful phrases when they read them!
Partner Fluency Form
This easy-to-use "Partner Fluency Form" is perfect for paired fluency activities to enhance reading fluency! Students help each other reflect on their reading, set goals, record pace, and offer constructive feedback!
Thanks for choosing me as a Featured Teacher Author! It was truly an honor! :)
ReplyDeleteKristin (MsJordanReads)
www.kristinmjordan.wordpress.com