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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Me, nominated? Shut the Front Door!

Allo, allo! I have been away from the blogoshpere for a while, and so it was quite a surprise to find that Melissa of Teacher Abroad had nominated me for a Liebster Award! Thanks so much, Melissa! I am so grateful to you!

I’m so excited to be nominated for this award! Teachers are such giving, creative people, and I feel so lucky to get to know more of you through your blogs!

To accept this nomination there are some things I have to do:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated me
2. Nominate 5 - 11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers
3. Answer the questions posted by my nominator
4. Share 11 random facts about myself
5. Create 11 questions for my nominees
6. Contact my nominees to let them know I nominated them 

My nominations are:


Jamie at Teaching Tidbits and More with Jamie      http://teachingtidbit.blogspot.ca
Dani at A Place to Thrive     http://aplacetothrive.blogspot.ca
Brittany at Contemporary South Teacher    http://contemporarysouthteacher.blogspot.ca
Donna at Mrs. Flaherty's Fab in 4th   http://lilacdlf.blogspot.com
Kristen at Chalk & Apples     http://chalkandapples.blogspot.ca
Liz at Floating Through Fifth     http://floatingthroughfifth.blogspot.ca

Here are my answers to Melissa's 11 questions:

1. Who has inspired you in your career?
My children had the good fortune of being taught by Madame Donna, a happy, creative and nurturing kindergarten teacher. I volunteered in her classroom and was amazed by her kind heart and love for her students. She inspired me to go back to school to get my B. of Ed.

2. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

I would go to Hawaii! I am part Hawaiian, and I would love to look up some relatives and see the gorgeous beaches, plants, birds and maybe even a volcano!

3. What’s one piece of advice you would give to a new teacher?

You won't be the best you can be in all areas, and that's okay. Do your best in one subject your first year and then develop another subject the next year. Take care of yourself by eating well, trying to sleep, and making sure to do something you love that does not involve school!

4. What inspired you to start your blog?
My friend Lisa Bee of Grade 4 Buzz started her blog this summer, and she was having so much fun, I wanted to do it too! Also, I got a LOT of help from Shannon at Madame Belle Feuille this year, when I switched to Primary, and I hope I can share some ideas that can help other teachers.

5. What’s the most embarrassing/funny thing that’s happened to you in the classroom?

I wanted my students to remember the word for eyelashes in French ( ``les cils``) so I pointed to my own and asked the class what they were. A boy in the class raised his had energetically and said ``BAGS!``. 

6. What’s your favourite chocolate bar?
I love Lindt plain dark chocolate with 50% cocoa.

7. If you could teach any grade, which would you choose? Why?

I love Grade 2 and Grade 4. Grade 2`s are so exuberant and Grade 4`s are so ready to take risks! 

8. If you weren’t a teacher, what job do you think you’d do instead?

I am also an actor, so I would love to do that more often. I would also like to be a photographer. I LOVE taking pictures! Or maybe a folk singer...

9. What has your best success in the classroom been?

This year I had a challenging group of kidlets. So many were emotionally unstable and having learning difficulties. I was still able to teach the whole group the importance of kindness and forgiveness. The kids were so caring and thoughtful of each other, even after they witnessed episodes of rage.  The troubled kids knew that I cared for them and would always be there to help. One boy in the class who had a hard year told me on the last day of class :``Madame, I had a BLAST this year!``. That made me feel like a success.

10. In your opinion, what book should every teacher have on their shelves?

``Amazing Grace`` by Mary Hoffman. It`s a great book to inspire us all to be what we want, no matter what some people think we should be. Grace loves to become her favourite characters from books and put on plays. I might be a bit like her...

11. What do you like to do outside of school (hobby, sport, etc.)
Yoga keeps me calm, strong, flexible and joyful. I love creating with photography, knitting, sewing, gardening and crafting. I also love to doodle! 

Here are 11 random facts about myself:

1. I love the crazy new flavours of TicTacs, and I HAVE to chew them up once they are in my mouth. 
2. I love to drink lemon and lime water.
3. I love finding treasures at thrift stores.
4. ``To Kill a Mockingbird`` is one of my most favourite books.
5. I made strawberry and raspberry jam this summer and intend to make peach jam this week.
6. I have dual citizenship (Canadian and American).
7. I have a lot of memories of being a toddler, including standing in my crib making spit bubbles. My crib was set on top of an orange shag carpet. Groovy.
8. I grew up watching a different classic movie every Saturday night on public television, so I LOVE old movies!
9. My laugh seems to get louder the older I get.
10. I have a very good musical memory. 
11. I sing in a choir made up of elementary and secondary teachers. 

And now here are the 11 questions for my nominees...

1. If you could only listen to one song for a year, what would it be?
2. If you could have a super power, what would you choose?
3. What is your favourite dessert?
4. What is your favourite colour, and does it change from time to time?
5. What sound do you love to hear?
6. When you need help with school stuff, who do you turn to?
7. What is your favourite animal and why?
8. What was your favourite book as a child?
9. Describe an activity or game that you tried this past year with your class that was a huge hit with the kids. (Not a question, I know. Forgive me!)
10. At the end of a long day, what gets you energized and happy?
11. What 3 words best describe you?

Thank you again, Melissa for nominating me!
Congratulations to my nominees! Have fun!

Nicci

4 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I love the eyelash story!
    -Lisa
    Grade 4 Buzz

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats! And thanks for the nomination!
    ~Kristen
    Chalk & Apples

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hawaii is beautiful, and has a very relaxing atmosphere. I hope you get there!
    - Melissa
    Teacher Abroad

    ReplyDelete