Why Did I Start This Blog?

I was initially hesitant in starting a blog because I am only in my second year of teaching. I feel like the blogs I read are usually from such experienced and amazing teachers! How could I include myself in their ranks? However, the same people I look up to were the ones that encouraged me to start blogging. My PLN is incredible! It is filled with some of the most passionate, caring, and gifted teachers I have ever had the honor collaborating with. The interesting thing is I've never actually met these people in real life. You are probably wondering how I can have such a wonderful support system if I never even met these people, and the answer is simple. Twitter. Twitter has allowed me to connect with passionate educators all over the country! I feel so lucky that I've gotten to know so many people this year. None of this would have been possible if it was not for the book Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess. One of my friend's mentioned the book in passing to me last year, and I am so glad I took the time to read it last summer. This book has changed my life! It inspired me to take risks and create experiences for my students! It also helped me connect with some of the best teachers on twitter! I almost religiously participate in the #tlap and #sstlap chats weekly, and through these chats I have made some wonderful connections with teachers willing to collaborate on projects, share their work, and provide encouragement on a weekly basis. Because they are always willing to share with me, I thought I would try and start this blog so I can share some of the things I am doing in my room that they helped inspire me to do! I will also post links to other teacher's blogs with lessons that helped inspire me! I also hope this blog will help any other new teachers out there see that it is ok to take risks! The students will love you for it!