Getting To Know You Blog Hop

Have you ever followed a blog hop? I've done several on Facebook, but haven't really been involved with blogs.   Today, I've teamed up with some fellow music bloggers to collaborate and bring you music education ideas using a variety of methodologies and approaches. However, before diving into music education topics, we thought it would be fun to organize a blog hop!

What is the benefit of going on this blog hop?

#1. Getting to Know You

• We want a chance to get to know you! Understanding our current and past experiences helps us to form stronger professional learning communities, and we'd love for you to be a part of it!

#2. Giveaway (Now Closed.  Congrats to Lauren Danloe!)

• After you're finished with the hop, you can enter a giveaway for your chance to WIN a basket full of goodies. Simply leave a comment on this post with an answer to the highlighted question at the bottom. Do the same at each blog hop stop. When you reach the end of the blog hop, you'll be able to enter the giveaway for your chance to win! 
  

  
  
  All about Stacie...
   
  Where do I hang my hat?
  
  
  Over the past 20-something years, I have lived in several different locations along the southern region. Starting in the great state of TEXAS, from there I've resided in Georgia, Florida, and New Mexico.  Coming full circle, I've been back in Texas for four years, living just south of the DFW area. 
  
  
  So, what makes me experienced?
  
  
  My degree is a Bachelor of Music w/ K-12 certification.  Though my student teaching involved elementary, middle, and high school, I've only taught K-6.  This age group, especially the younger, falls nicely within my comfort zone since I enjoy being on the floor with the kids and making games out of lessons.  I have a school choir comprised of 4th-6th grade students who steal my heart.  A "choir class" is actually set-up within my schedule, so I see them every other day.  It's quite wonderful.   This year will be my 9th year of teaching.  Like some others, I started out teaching until children came along.  I was blessed to participate in the "stay-at-home-mom" club for 12 years.  These were the best days of my life and I was still able to be musically active through kids' choirs at church.  As my own children began school, I involved myself in subbing once or twice a week.  I enjoyed the flexibility of the job, and getting a peak into the general ed classes was fun.   When child #3 made her way to 2nd grade, I found my place, once again, in public music education. 
  
  
  What part of the teaching day makes me want to take my ball and run home?
  
  
  For me, the hardest part of the teaching day is the class right before lunch.  First of all, I usually "eat-on-the-drive" while traveling to school early in the morning.  Having a 1:00 lunch time is not ideal as I can feel the floor dropping out from below me as my blood-sugar takes a plunge.  Sometimes I'll grab a couple of crackers or a cheese stick in between classes to stave off the hunger, but often I don't have a minute to spare.  Secondly, I teach 6th grade before lunch (ugh.)  Don't get me wrong, I love my sixth graders (on most days), but when I'm hungry and they're moody, what is already a challenging grade for me, turns into a recipe for disaster.  Often times, the students are hungry too, since we have the same lunch schedule.  The focus level and desire to participate is far less than expected when everyone is distracted by the ongoing tummy rumbles.
  
  
  What is YOUR least favorite part of the teaching day?
  Comment with your answer, then click the pic below to continue on the blog hop!