Versatile Blogger

What a fantastic way to start a gloomy Tuesday!  I began the morning like I do every Tuesday--going to my blog to begin my slice for the week.  And that's where I found that Linda from TeacherDance had named me a Versatile Blogger.  I had never heard of this, so of course I HAD to google it (what did we do before Google?) I still didn't find much out about how this award got started, but I still liked the idea of recognizing blogs that inspire you.

I started blogging early this year and began reading lots of blogs. Some good, some not-so-good.  The good ones provided LOTS of inspiration and I am not ashamed to say that I "stole" some ideas for my posts.  This is a great way for me to say "thank-you" to my new friends in the blogging world.

Here's the "rules" for the award:

• Thank the person who nominated me and provide a link back to their blog
• Share seven bits of information about myself
• Pass the award along to 15 other blogs that I have discovered

First of all, thank-you Linda for the award.  I feel like we would be great friends and colleagues if we lived at least in the same state!  Your comments on my blog EVERY DAY are sometimes what keeps me going. It's also nice to know that I am not alone in my beliefs about teaching reading and writing. If you hadn't nominated me for this, I would have nominated you!

7 Bits of Information About Me

1. If my husband and I had the room or lived on an acreage, we would have LOTS of dogs. We would either board them or raise them. I'm afraid if we tried to breed dogs though, we'd never sell any of them. As it is, we will have to be content with Chloe.
2. I didn't begin my teaching career until I was out of college for about 10 years.  I was an assistant manager at a country club, I subbed in many different schools and stayed home with my boys during that time span. When I finally began my career, I KNEW for sure it was what I wanted to do.
3. I love technology and what it can do.  I am exploring the idea of a "flipped classroom" for my creative writing class.  More on that in future blog posts.
4. My two sons and their wives have all gone back to school and three of the four of them have blogs of their own.  I like to think I'm a part of that.
5. Six grandkids--how did that happen?  (I know HOW it happened, but how did I get old enough to be a grandparent?)
6. I can count on one hand the number of students I can honestly say I didn't like.  Not bad for 20 years of teaching.
7. I procrastinate too much. Right now I have tests to correct and it isn't going to happen.

My 15 Blogs of Inspiration

1. Two Writing Teachers: Poor Ruth and Stacey have been mentioned in almost every blog I've read, but they are true inspirations to many of us. They teach, they write, they keep other blogs. But if it wasn't for their March Slice of Life challenge, I'm not sure I'd still be blogging.
2. Ruth Ayers: Ruth's personal blog about her writing life is a constant source of inspiration for both my personal writing and my creative writing class.
3. Stacey Shubitz: Stacey's blog about her life outside of the classroom.
4. Diana at onelitcoach: I began reading Diana during the slice challenge. She had wonderful stories and pictures about her childhood. Now I am following her stories about working with teachers in classrooms. Another person I am sure I'd be friends with if only we lived in the same town.
5. Christy at Living: One of those young teachers who keep me on my toes. Christy is always sharing wonderful ideas from her classroom and her life.
6. Tam at Clay Fragments: She is showing us all how to retire from the classroom but not from being a lifelong learner.
7. Donna at Mainly Write: A great blog of personal and professional writing.
8. Storykeeper at Windows 2 My Life:  Beautiful stories and poetry.
9. Chuck at 2000 Hours: An Iowa teacher who is documenting the hours he spends on school work or professional development outside of his school day.  
10. Allen at Living Life Twice: I respect his teaching and writing so much that when I get a comment from him (or he LINKS to me from his blog) I feel like I have one the Nobel Prize for writing!
11. Mardie at Mardie's Muse: A kindred spirit.
12. Libby at Fountain: My (ex) roomie.  Her posts always make me laugh or cry--sometimes both!
13. Tanya at Blue House Studio: Another teacher friend. She shares her beautiful photography.
14. Jana at Thinking Out Loud: She shares great things!
15. Kasey Buick: My guilty pleasure blog. She and her family have pulled up roots and moved to Hawaii. The stories and pictures she shares are marvelous!

Whew!  This is a long one!  Thanks to all of you for being an inspiration to me!