Before I start, I want to take a minute to thank John for his friendship and leadership. Even though I have never met John in person, I have learned so much from him about school leadership, developing and sustaining PLC's, and the power of a strong culture. Thank you, John. Your teachers, students and families are lucky to have you be the lead learner at Gilmer Elementary.
My First Task - 11 Random Facts about Me.
This was a bit challenging to answer because I don't like to talk about myself very often. But here goes:
2. I have three children and they are my world. Our oldest is 5 and in kindergarten, our middle is almost four and your youngest is 20 months. Needless to say, we have a fun and busy house right now!
3. I was a kindergarten teacher for 9 years. My certification was K-12 partly because I was not sure which level I wanted to teach. I student taught in kindergarten and first grade for part of my experience and then finished my student teaching at the high school level teaching geography, geometry and honors calculus. I can say I worked with both ends of the educational spectrum.
4. My family lives in New England. My parents and sister live in NH and my two younger brothers live in Boston. They moved out to the east coast when I was in college and although I love to visit them and the region, the midwest is my home.
5. I played tennis as a young child all the way through high school. I played competitively for quite a while and eventually was sponsored by Dunlop and K-Swiss. I had lots of clothes, shoes and rackets. While in high school, I started coaching tennis and that is when I realized I wanted to be an educator.
6. I studied abroad in Scotland while in college. This experience was one of my best experiences I have ever had. I lived with 5 students from Scotland and England in a small flat It truly was an eye-opening and amazing experience.
7. Here are some of my favorite movies:
- Braveheart - I have seen it over 24 times (that is rather disturbing to think about it as I write it down) and tried to visit as many historical sites during my time in Scotland. The city where I studies actually has the national William Wallace memorial along with Wallace's actual claymore sword.
- Good Will Hunting - some many great lines and lessons from this movie
- The Big Lebowski - a typical cult movie with many, many one-liners
- Saving Private Ryan - is there a better opening to a movie?
- Jeremiah Johnson - something about the simplicity of life makes me watch this whenever it is on
- Vacation - a timeless classic
- The list goes on and on...
8. In college, I was once auctioned off for a date as part of a live telecast when we donated toys to Toys for Tots. It never amounted to anything but is a fun story nonetheless.
9. I am more of a college sports fan than a professional sports fan. I would much rather watch college basketball (especially the Jayhawks) over the NBA and college football over the NFL.
10. I love to grill and smoke meats. Living in Kansas City, I am surrounded my numerous award-winning BBQ joints. Needless to say, I don't have a lack of inspiration to try to enhance my BBQ craft.
11. I don't like gravy or whipped cream. If I am eating mashed potatoes, just leave off the gravy. Forget the whipped cream with ice cream or dessert... just plain please.
My Second Task - Answer John's Questions
1. What is your favorite Christmas tradition and why?
Growing up, we moved around as a family for my dad's job. This took us away from family so our holidays were just us. We started a tradition of going to mass on Christmas Eve and then going out to a Japanese Steakhouse (because it was one of the few restaurants open on Christmas Eve). We have been doing this for over 20 years now.
2. If you could have anyone over for the holidays, who would it be and why?
I would love to have all of my family over for Christmas. We have family in Chicago and Indianapolis and we don't get to see them very often. I would love to have a meal where all of our extended families were in the same place at the same time.
3. Flaming hot hot sauce or mild and bland sauce?
Definitely hot sauce. Give it that kick!
4. Do you root for the underdog or the team predicted to win?
I typically root for the underdog (except when they play the Jayhawks). I love to see everyone have their moment.
5. Which person in your PLN do you find most interesting and why?
David Culberhouse. I am not sure if David sleeps. He is always posting tremendously reflective posts which allow me to grow and learn.
6. Which book has made the most profound impact on your life?
This is a great question. There are so many books which have impacted me. I would say Shifting the Monkey by Todd Whitaker. This is a book I have read over and over and is a book which has helped me focus on those things that are important and help others realize the importance of solving their own problems.
7. What is your favorite decade of all time and what made it the best for you?
I love the 90's. Great music, great sports, great memories.
8. What is the best movie of all time?
As I mentioned earlier, Braveheart is my favorite movie of all time. Love the history, the scenery and the power of doing what is right.
9. Which animal best represents your personality and why?
A dog. I would say I am very loyal, personable and want to please and support.
10. What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
My greatest professional accomplishment is helping a child who entered kindergarten learn to read and have confidence in himself. He entered kindergarten with no exposure to letters, numbers or print and had very little confidence in himself. He left able to read and saw himself as a learner.
11. What is your New Year's Resolution for 2014?
To blog more. I want to make it more of a priority to reflect and share my thoughts - at least 2x a month.
My Third Task - Questions for you
1. What book have your recently read?
2. If you could sit down with any two people from history, who would you choose and why?
3. Hamburgers or Hotdogs?
4. What is your favorite season of the year and why?
5. Which person in your PLN do you find most interesting and why?
6. What song/album have you recently listened to?
7. Who influenced you to be an educator?
8. What are you most proud of this past year?
9. If you did not go into education, what profession would you have chosen and why?
10. If you could switch shoes with one person, who would it be and why?
11. What is your New Year's Resolution for 2014?
1. What book have your recently read?
2. If you could sit down with any two people from history, who would you choose and why?
3. Hamburgers or Hotdogs?
4. What is your favorite season of the year and why?
5. Which person in your PLN do you find most interesting and why?
6. What song/album have you recently listened to?
7. Who influenced you to be an educator?
8. What are you most proud of this past year?
9. If you did not go into education, what profession would you have chosen and why?
10. If you could switch shoes with one person, who would it be and why?
11. What is your New Year's Resolution for 2014?
My Fourth Task - Nominate 11 Bloggers to Join the Homework Club
Tom Whitford
Jimmy Casas
Aaron Becker
Bill Powers
Jayme Linton
Shelley Burgess
Michele Corbat
Rodney Hetherton
Ken Williams
Drew Frank
Joey Sagel
Add yourself to the list and join the fun
Here is your Task
- Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
- Share 11 random facts about yourself.
- Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
- List 11 bloggers.
- Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer, and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated. Don’t nominate a blogger who has nominated you
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