1. What is your most memorable field trip
experience?
I remember when my Junior High took the entire 7th grade class to
see The Treasures of the Tzars. It was a
really great experience, but I mostly remember going to the zoo afterward and
the whole class being kicked out because some boys were feeding skittles to the
animals. We ended up only leaving about 15 minutes early, and instead of my
class being punished, they simply cancelled the 7th grade trip in later
years. My class was allowed to go on
field trips year after year. As much as
I enjoyed the field trips, I remember thinking that the teachers and
administrators had probably not made the best decision in that regard, and
wondering how they came to that decision. I was always thinking like a teacher
I guess!
2. What is something you have learned
from your time on Teachers Pay Teachers?
I have learned that teachers are even more selfless and supportive
than I ever knew! The forums on TPT are just a wealth of helpful information,
and I am always amazed how quickly teachers will come to your rescue when you
have a question, and how happy they truly are to help!
3. What book inspired you as a
student?
When I was in about 4th grade, my
teacher recommended that I read the book The Phantom Tollbooth by Norman
Juster. I opened it, without expecting much from it at all. At that time in my
life, it was exactly what I needed.
I was blown away by the
clever word play and subtle references. I always felt that most books that were
geared toward kids my age were somewhat boring and talked down to us. This was
one of the first books that I had read that I felt really assumed we were
smart! It really renewed my love of
reading, and I still smile every time I think of it.
4. What is
something you would like to see in the future, for education?
I would like to see all college education programs educate every
future teacher about special education in a meaningful, effective manner. In every
school that I have worked, there has been a slight (and sometimes not so
slight) divide between general education teachers and special education
teachers. I am not a special education teacher, but I have had years of
experience working with special education students, and I know that they too
feel that divide. I would love to see one cohesive education program that
includes all students equally.
5. What is something fun about you that
teachers don't know about you?
I am an enthusiastic art collector! I especially love supporting
and collecting art from local artists. My boyfriend is an artist (ceramics and
sculpture) so I have a varied collection of 2D and 3D art. If the artwork
involves paper in some way, I almost always gravitate toward it!
6. What is an achievement, in
education or otherwise, that you have accomplished?
I bought my first house at the age of 19 and my second at 26. I
paid rent at my first apartment for about 18 months and knew that I was the
type of person that needed to know that my money was going toward equity and
that someday I would get that money back, with a profit. I am very proud of the
decisions that I have made and the feeling of responsibility and control over
my life that this has earned me.
7. What was your first 'Free' item
that you posted up on Teachers Pay Teachers? What made you choose that?
My first item was an activity
that I call Boggle Your Mind! It is a Boggle game board that is simple to use,
but that allows invaluable practice for students in improving their word
knowledge and encoding skills.
I chose this activity because I am passionate about the importance
of regular word study in the classroom, and this is an activity that I have
used time and time again, and have found incredible success with. I also love how easily this activity lends
itself to differentiation amongst students, and I made sure to include tips for
differentiating and 30 sample boards for teachers to use. No more worrying if
the grid you made has enough words in it, or even worse, that students will
find an inappropriate word in it! Once a simple Boggle grid is made, this
activity can be done all year without any additional planning or time-consuming
prep!
8. What was your
first 'Paid' item that you posted up on Teachers Pay Teachers? What made you
choose that?
The first paid item that I
posted, if I remember correctly, was my set of Math Vocab Word Wall Cards. It is a resource of 76 math vocab terms of
varying difficulty, accompanied by visual definitions for the words. Once the concept is taught, students can use
these cards, either in a word wall or other location, as a resource to remembering
what that term means. They can also be
used as a visual reference when initially teaching a concept.
I chose this item because it is one that I have shared with fellow
teachers at schools I have worked at, and they have always been a hit. In fact, it was while passing out these cards,
that I first heard about TPT! A teacher told me that they looked so
professional that I should sell them on TPT!
I went to the site to check it out, loved what I saw, and immediately
began posting!
9. Your favorite teaching quote
is...
“Fair doesn't mean everyone gets
the same thing. Fair means everyone gets what they need."
This quote has essentially dictated the way I teach, and the
direction of my educational career, for years.
It is something that I wish every teacher and parent understood.
10. What is your
'Go To' time filler?
I wish I had an exciting hobby like mountain climbing or white
water rafting, but the truth is, my "go to" time filler has aways
been, and probably always will be, creating teaching resources and researching
new lesson ideas. Nothing makes me happier
than finding a genius new idea, suggested by another teacher! This is probably
the main reason that I am so excited to have found TPT! It literally brings
everything that I love together!
by
Miss Martin
Math
Vocab Word Wall Cards
Math
Reference Sheet - Intermediate
Think back to your elementary or secondary school days when you anticipated getting chocolates in a heart-shaped box or a vase of red roses on that special holiday. Valentine's Day is supposed to be fun-filled, yet there are students who wait anxiously for invitations to dances or parties only to be disappointed. Holidays can cause anxieties and stress for some students. 
As students get older and wiser, teachers must become craftier at hiding thier identities. Many junior high and high schools partner with local florists for special deals and deliveries. Contact the florist and explain your holiday project: "Hi, I'm ___(Name)____, a __(Grade Level/Subject Matter)____ teacher at ___(School)____. I have a group of students who may not receive holiday cards or gifts. I'd like to anonymously purchase _____ single roses with only the recipients' names listed on the cards. Please, do not disclose my name regardless of bribes offered. By the way, do you have any special promotions for educators?" The key to the holiday project's success is secrecy, so don't reveal to anyone that you are the donor. 
