Meet the Teacher Monday

Tell us a little something about you...

Hi! I’m Alicia from First Grade Factory. I am a wife, mother, and teacher. I have a son in the United States Marine Corps, and a daughter just starting her Junior year of High School. I’ve only been blogging for the last six months and I find myself wondering, “What was I doing with my life?” HA!  My love of blogging comes naturally. It all started from my willingness to craft and share materials with colleagues.   

How long have you been teaching?

The 2011-2012 school year starts my ninth year of teaching. At the age of 24, I signed my first teaching contract. I was assigned to teach third grade at an at-risk Edison School. The following year, I moved down to second grade. The year after that, I landed in first grade and have never left! I love it!! The innocence, desire, curiosity, … I could go on and on about 6 and 7 year olds!!

You might not know...

I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada! My grandparents moved here in the 1950s to help establish the Clark County School District. My grandmother taught Kindergarten for 30 years, and my grandfather was a high school guidance counselor for over 30 years. Nevada and teaching is in my blood. I initially set out to teach college English to 26 and 27 year olds. But, I quickly realized that I liked teaching 6 and 7 year olds a little more.  

What are you looking most forward to this school year?

I’m looking forward to making my classroom simplistic. Pencils, paper, crayons, erasers, ELMO projector, Smart Board, … done. Technology is going to really support and better my craft.

What do you need to improve?

I need to work on relaxing more. My mind always turns to teaching and my classroom. I have this drive to always better myself! It’s exhausting!! I always tell myself, “Progress, not perfection!” 

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?

I cannot live without my Sharpie Flip Chart Pens. And, 3M Sticky Note chart paper of course. I love student-centered posters and charts. I also must have my 32G flash drive. It holds everything that I could ever need away from home. I cannot live without my daily Red Bull. It gets cracked opened everyday at lunch.

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Thanks for reading! I hope you have a school year to remember!!

Las Vegas Grammar School (Fifth Street School), built 1936

Bounce on over to "Blog Hoppin'" to link up. I look forward to meeting you!