Get to Know this Innovative TpT Teacher-Author...

Jennifer Ayers of Best Practices 4 Teaching!

What grade level(s) and/or subject(s) are you currently teaching? What grade levels have you taught prior to this year?

2nd grade now; 1st and 4th previously, reading interventionist grades 1-5 also

If currently in the classroom, how long have you been teaching? If not still in classroom, how long did you teach?           

            I have taught for 17 years…

When did you join Teachers Pay Teachers as a Seller? What made you decide to become a seller?    

January 2011....I wanted to write a book but didn't have the patience, so I decided to start writing lessons and activities! Plus, I like the challenge!

What is something unique about you both inside the classroom and outside the classroom?

As a teacher:  I have led many professional developments/training sessions throughout my district and a few across the state.  I enjoy teaching teachers almost as much as I enjoy teaching my students because the challenges are different.  I love sharing my knowledge and learning new things.

Outside of the classroom:  I hope to one day be self-employed and be able to work out of my home; I am a 'wanna-be' writer and curriculum developer.  This is a well-kept secret:  I LOVE to write lesson plans.  I just don't always follow them!!  I see lesson plans as a stepping-stone for something bigger and better to spin off of.  It drives my administrator nuts!

One piece of advice you can give to a beginning teacher & one piece for a veteran teacher:     

Beginning teacher: go with the flow--education will change 100 times before you finally feel like you know what you are doing. Then, it will change another 100 times.

Veteran: I know things are changing drastically....have changed drastically....just hang in there and go with the flow!

TpT Store Link:    http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Best-Practices-4-Teaching

Blog:    www.bestpractices4teaching.blogspot.com

One of your best selling product links:    http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skylar-Skunks-Birthday-Party-Ordinal-Number-Task-Cards-With-Pictures

What other neat information would you like to share?

I grew up in Clinton, TN, home of the first desegregated high school in the south. Now I live in Chattanooga, TN.

I have 3 degrees--the latest is my Education Specialist degree.

I am married with 2 wonderful, energetic kids, 2 cats Isabella (calico) and her 20 lb. baby boy, Teddy. Teddy always knows if I am upset and will come and sit with em. He keeps my feet warm at night. =)

Unique fact: I went to London on a high school trip in 1989, shortly after the Lockerby, Scotland airplane crash due to bombing. The night before we were supposed to leave to fly back to the states, a bomb threat was put on our plane. We couldn't change tickets...so we all called our familes at home to let them know and tell them that we loved them. Security that day was something else--every bit of our luggage and everything in our carry-ons was taken out and gone through. Not an event that is likely to be forgotten, ever.

Are there any other sites you’d like posted for others to access?

            Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/bestpractices4teachingblog

Innovative TpT Teacher-Author You Should Get to Know...

Rebecca Sutton of  Teaching First

What grade level(s) and/or subject(s) are you currently teaching? What grade levels have you taught prior to this year?        

1^st; I’ve taught 3^rd and Computer Lab

If currently in the classroom, how long have you been teaching? If not still in classroom, how long did you teach?                 

19 Years!

When did you join Teachers Pay Teachers as a Seller? What made you decide to become a seller?

         I joined September of 2011. I was buying so many items from there this summer, and I thought, I have some ideas that might sell, too. I love creating and sharing, so TpT was the perfect outlet for me!

One piece of advice you can give to a beginning teacher & one piece for a veteran teacher:

         Beginning Teacher: Ask a lot of questions. You cannot do it alone. Then ask MORE questions!  Veteran Teacher: Share your ideas with love...try new things.

Something unique about you both as a teacher and outside of the classroom:

         Umm...these kind of questions are difficult for me to answer...as a teacher, I use the motto There Is Only Love, to set the rules for the class, and the tone for each day.

         As a person outside the classroom, I love to sew, draw, and go hiking in the mountains.

TpT Store Link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Rebecca-Sutton-Teaching-First

Blog: http://teachingfirst-abc.blogspot.com/

If you like, please leave a link to one of your best selling products here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Itsy-Bitsy-Spider-Packet-Language-Arts-Math-Art-Science

What other neat information would you like to share?

         I grew up in Illinois and now live in beautiful Utah. I love to bake, sew, draw, go hiking, and play in the water. I have two dogs and a cat that are my "babies".

Are there any other sites you’d like posted for others to access?

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/TeachingFirst
Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/rebas/

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Thanks to Rebecca Sutton for participating in the Innovative Connections' TpT Teacher-Author Post!
If you are interested in being featured, please fill out the entry form! The link is underneath my tabs! Thanks so much!

Innovative TpT Teacher-Author You Should Get to Know...

Laura Candler of Corkboard Connections

What grade level(s) and/or subject(s) are you currently teaching? What grade levels have you taught prior to this year?        

I'm currently retired, but I used to teach 4th and 5th grade.

If currently in the classroom, how long have you been teaching? If not still in classroom, how long did you teach?                 

I taught for 30 years!

When did you join Teachers Pay Teachers as a Seller? What made you decide to become a seller?

         I joined TpT after I was already selling ebooks and materials from my own website. I guess I joined up out of curiosity and because it seemed so easy. I was fascinated with it right from the start!

         I was amazed at what was now available to teachers to help them sell their lessons easily because it was so much work for me to set up my own website, figure out how to install a shopping cart on it, create a newsletter, and so on. I immediately saw the benefits of TpT and became a premium seller right away.

         Someone else created the site, someone else was sending out newsletters and marketing the materials, someone else was handling the payments. Wow! What an opportunity for teachers to easily start selling their own materials online!

One piece of advice you can give to a beginning teacher & one piece for a veteran teacher:

         I would advise a beginning teacher to find teachers at your school who have a passion for teaching and spend as much time with them as possible. Stay away from negative grumblers and find people who face the daily challenges with a smile. Don't get frustrated and overwhelmed the first year; just tackle what you can handle and do what you can. The next year is so much easier!

         The advice I would give a veteran teacher is to throw out your old lesson plans from last year and be willing to do things differently every year. You've got to keep up with new technologies and always seek to improve yourself and grow as a teacher. If you ever get to a point where you are not happy with your teaching situation, either change schools or change grade levels to give yourself a new challenge. If that doesn't help, maybe it's time to move on to something else. Every child deserves a happy, caring teacher, and if you are no longer happy in the classroom, go where your passion is leading you!

Something unique about you both as a teacher and outside of the classroom:

         What was unique about me as a teacher? I guess that would be my ability to quickly and easily create engaging lessons for my students that challenged them on many levels. I loved a bit of chaos in the classroom as long as things were getting accomplished and we were learning and having fun. Also, as a teacher I prefer to dress really casually and comfortably. I would have worn jeans every day if allowed to do so!

         Outside of the classroom, I enjoy outdoor activities like snowshoeing, hiking and kayaking. I'm happiest when I'm outside enjoying nature, challenging myself physically in some way.

TpT Store Link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Laura-Candler

Blog: http://www.corkboardconnections.com

If you like, please leave a link to one of your best selling products here:

         http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Bio-Reports

What other bio information would you like to share?

         I was born in New Hampshire but moved to the south over 35 years ago. I now live in North Carolina. I have been married to the same wonderful guy for 30 years and we have two terrific daughters. I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for my undergraduate degree and UNC Pembroke for my Elementary Ed Masters. I earned National Board Certification in one of the first few years it was offered and became recertified about 5 years ago.

         I have written 5 books for Kagan and was a trainer for his company for a short while. I recently published another print book, Power Reading Workshop, and I'm excited about the results teachers are getting with that program. 

         I guess my biggest accomplishment was being awarded a Milken Family Foundation Award back in 2000 - it came with a $25,000 cash award that wasn't earmarked for the classroom!

Are there any other sites you’d like posted for others to access?

        Web Site: http://www.lauracandler.com  

        Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lauracandler

        Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lauracandler

___________________________________________________________

LAURA CANDLER, THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US!!  

If you are a TpT Teacher-Author and would like to be featured on Innovative Connections, I love to have you!! I'm always seeking Innovative Teachers with fabulous materials and information to share with others! Just fill out the entry form link under my tabs at the top of this blog! 

Regards,

An Innovative TpT Teacher-Author You Should Get to Know...

Heidi Befort of Globicate!

What grade level(s) and/or subject(s) are you currently teaching? What grade levels have you taught prior to this year?

4^th/5^th Multiage

If currently in the classroom, how long have you been teaching? If not still in classroom, how long did you teach?             

10 Years

When did you join Teachers Pay Teachers as a Seller? What made you decide to become a seller?

I originally joined Tpt to sell some classroom books and activities, but decided to do units and activities that I thought went along with my blog or that I was working on in the classroom.  I'm a work in progress and continue to refine and hopefully improve my items.

One piece of advice you can give to a beginning teacher & one piece for a veteran teacher:

Hang in there, don't be afraid to make mistakes, and be dynamic for your students!

Something unique about you both as a teacher and outside of the classroom:

I'm a National Board Certified Teacher, and I have a Master in Elementary Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing...I'm a registered nurse and worked for 15 years at the bedside before driving a school bus, and getting my teaching certificate!

TpT Store Link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Heidi-Befort-globicate


A particular product you'd like to share?
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Go-Figure-Figurative-Language-Unit

Blog: http://www.globicate.com

What other bio information would you like to share?

I'm happily married to Wayne for 25 years, have 3 children...a daughter who is a nurse in Texas, a daughter who is a Peace Corps Volunteer and teaches Secondary English, and a son who is majoring in Electrical Engineering at ASU, my alma mater!  I love photography, flowers, camping, and blogging!

Are there any other sites you’d like posted for others to access?

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Globicate/150891008326206?ref=ts

Twitter: @Globicate

https://twitter.com/?emcamp=news_20110131&userid=24883373#!/Globicate

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/globicate/

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If you are interested in being a featured Innovative TpT Teacher-Author on my Blog, please fill out the entry form just under the tabs at the top of my blog! Thanks so much!
Regards,
Ann Marie Smith

Innovative TpT Seller You Should Get to Know...

Mary Amoson of Sharing Kindergarten!


Mary's Blog has a great giveaway going through MIDNIGHT tonight! Be sure to check it out!!

What grade level(s) and/or subject(s) are you currently teaching? What grade levels have you taught prior to this year?        

Kindergarten

If currently in the classroom, how long have you been teaching? If not still in classroom, how long did you teach?                 

7th year

When did you join Teachers Pay Teachers as a Seller? What made you decide to become a seller?

I have been purchasing ideas from TPT and pinning ideas from teachers for a while. From time to time, I would want to contribute and help. I am always making games for my class, so learning to do this digitally to share with others was exciting. I love sharing my ideas and getting others!

One piece of advice you can give to a beginning teacher & one piece for a veteran teacher:

For a beginning teacher... Plan, plan, plan... To be flexible!!!

A veteran teacher... Share what you know and how you do it! You are a master at your craft and I want to know what you know!

Something unique about you both as a teacher and outside of the classroom:

I feel the most comforable at school with my class instead of with my peers. My classroom and my students make me happy!

I married my sweet hubby a year and two days after our first date!

TpT Store Link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mary-Amoson

Blog: http://sharingkindergarten.blogspot.com/

If you like, please leave a link to one of your best selling products here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Arctic-Animal-Unit-by-Mary-Amoson

What other bio information would you like to share?

From Georgia

Bachelors and Masters in Early Childhood Ed

Specialist in Instructional Technology

Are there any other sites you’d like posted for others to access?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharingKindergarten?ref=ts

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/maryamoson/

Innovative TpT Seller You Should Get to Know...

Mary Lirette of  

Mrs. Lirettes’s Learning Detectives!

What grade level(s) and/or subject(s) are you currently teaching? What grade levels have you taught prior to this year?        

Currently, I am teaching 2nd grade- previously taught kindergarten and first…

If currently in the classroom, how long have you been teaching? If not still in classroom, how long did you teach?                 

This is my 6th year!

When did you join Teachers Pay Teachers as a Seller? What made you decide to become a seller?

I joined Tpt at the end of November 2011.  I have always enjoyed sharing my creations with others.  Many of my colleagues and friends recommended that I make my creations available to everyone on Tpt.  I finally caved in and joined. I have had such a wonderful experience with it so far!

One piece of advice you can give to a beginning teacher & one piece for a veteran teacher:

Regardless of where you are in your teaching career, it is important not to get discouraged when things do not go as planned in your classroom.  It happens to all of us.  Our job is not easy.  It is so important to be flexible with your teaching because you never know what is going to happen!

Something unique about you both as a teacher and outside of the classroom:

In the classroom, I am that highly energetic teacher that looks quite silly most of the time.  I sing, dance, dress up, make up jingles to remember things, stand on chairs, etc.- whatever it takes to get my students interested and engaged!

Outside of the classroom, I am the complete opposite!  I am calm and reserved.  I much prefer to stay home and read a good book or watch a movie than go out for a night on the town.

TpT Store Link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mary-Lirette

Blog: http://mrsliretteslearningdetectives.blogspot.com

If you like, please leave a link to one of your best selling products here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/American-Government-Local-State-National

What other bio information would you like to share?

I am a southern girl from Tennessee. I am happily married to the love of my life and am the proud mother of a two-year-old daughter named Gracie.  I love spending time with my family and my two cats, Hercules and Xena.  Also, I love to get my hands on a good book!  I dabble in organic gardening, and spend most of my spare time these days surfing the internet, stalking blogs and Pinterest for creative ideas to incorporate into my classroom!

Are there any other sites you’d like posted for others to access?

Mrs. Lirette’s Learning Detectives:  http://mrsliretteslearningdetectives.blogspot.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/mrsliretteslearningdetectives

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MrsLirette  @MrsLirette

Networked Blogs: http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/mrs-lirettes-learning-detectives

TpT: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mary-Lirette

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/marylirette/

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Thank you, Mary Lirette, for participating!

If you are interested in others getting to know more about you, feel free to fill out the google doc under my heading/tabs or here: Innovative TpT Seller to Get to Know

Regards,

An Innovative TpT Seller to Get to Know...

      Mrs. K of The Teacher Garden

What grade level(s) and/or subject(s) are you currently teaching? What grade levels have you taught prior to this year?        

Currently: Substituting and tutoring. Taught in the past: English I, 8th grade English, and PK-2.

If currently in the classroom, how long have you been teaching? If not still in classroom, how long did you teach?                       

In the classroom since 2008

When did you join Teachers Pay Teachers as a Seller? What made you decide to become a seller?

In 2009, a co-worker of mine was sharing some kinder activities with me, and I thought they were fabulous. She told me she found them on TpT for free, so of course, I signed up immediately.

I didn't become a seller until 2010, when I was teaching English. I didn't have the materials I needed to teach the class, so I made my own. Eventually, I thought, "Why not post them on TpT to help others?" I've been a TpT seller ever since!

One piece of advice you can give to a beginning teacher & one piece for a veteran teacher:

One piece of advice I'd give to a beginning teacher is to relax and be flexible. (If I could go back in time, this is the advice I'd give to myself.)

One piece of advice I'd give to a veteran teacher is to not be afraid to change with the students. Students are always evolving, and teachers should be, too!

Something unique about you both as a teacher and outside of the classroom:

As a teacher, I really like to incorporate technology into my lessons. I just see so many uses for it, and I think that -- in most cases -- it's exciting for the students! I also really enjoy "out of the box" assignments; I appreciate creative lessons that are exciting!

Outside the classroom, I love to create websites and dabble in digital design. It's a new hobby, but I am really loving my time spent playing with Photoshop!

TpT Store Link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Theteachergarden/

Blog: www.TheTeacherGarden.blogspot.com

If you like, please leave a link to one of your best selling products here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Romeo-and-Juliet-Board-Game-Project

Are there any other sites you’d like posted for others to access?

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheTeacherGarden

Twitter page: www.twitter.com/TeacherGarden

Get to Know This TpT Teacher-Author...

BHAKTI BHANUSHALI

What grade level(s) and/or subject(s) are you currently teaching? What grade levels have you taught prior to this year?  

Primary and Secondary: Math and English

      

When did you join Teachers Pay Teachers as a Seller? What made you decide to become a seller?    
I joined Teacher pay Teachers as a seller before 6 months. I saw good traffic, especially teachers, and it made me think to be a seller for my educational creations.

One piece of advice you can give to a beginning teacher & one piece for a veteran teacher:     

            Try to interact more with students.

Something unique about you both as a teacher and outside of the classroom:

            I just want to teach the same way as students want to learn.

TpT Store Link: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bhakti-B

Blog:    http://mathseasyway.blogspot.com/

What other bio information would you like to share?

I am working as a curriculum developer for many Educational sites.

Are there any other sites you’d like posted for others to access?

www.facebook.com/pages/Sahaj-classes-online/152825231447155

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Thanks to Bhakti for participating! 

If you are a TpT Teacher-Author and interested in being featured, click on the link under the tabs above or here "Get to Know This TpT Teacher-Author"


Regards,