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Best of 2015: FEELING GRATEFUL

12/30/2015

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A Year of Firsts, Friends, Family, & Fierce GRATITUDE

This has been a year of so many amazing happenings that it's hard to summarize. Inspired by the TOP 9 of 2015 Instagram posts I have been seeing, I attempted to create my collage....and failed miserably! I just couldn't fit my favorite memories into 9 little boxes. So, I decided to split them into categories: personal -vs- professional lives.....STILL FAILED. {Brevity is not one of my fortes.}  SO, without further adieu, is my WAY-MORE-THAN-9 "Best of 2015" memories!

// PROFESSIONAL MEMORIES //

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2015 -- What a year in my professional life!!! This past year was filled with teaching friendships old and new...Pool party meet-ups, conferences, adventures with great teammates, and birthdays in Vegas, meeting up with friends at a photo shoot & training with Scholastic in NYC, creating new Marketing Maven products, and....of course....the Indian Trail lip sync where I got to channel my inner Axl and watch our awesome staff band together and crank out a first place collaborative performance in ONE PRACTICE.
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Some of my kiddos rocked the Indian Trail media club with video news broadcasts, thanks to Teach-o Schwave! We started the year with our awesome NE region unit gushing with love for NYC & honoring the memory of 9/11.

Beyond the Fairytale is a new after school club for girls, focusing on new, stronger portrayals of typical fairytale princesses and learning lessons from the new versions to uplift each other and be good role models for other young ladies.

We coded as a class and have rocked some STEM projects, even simple ones like building a house of cards. New birthday traditions were introduced this year, and we enjoyed our annual Halloween Mad Science party & experiments as much as ever.

Personally, I presented at after school staff development trainings on the topics of ClassDojo & digital student portfolios. I was extremely fortunate and grateful to have an article published in Scholastic Instructor magazine, and one of my Scholastic blog posts was named as an EduBlog Editor's Choice Content Winner!

WHAT A YEAR! I am so grateful for it all!

// PERSONAL MEMORIES //

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We had LOADS of summer fun, including days at the beach and pool, summer nights at the drive-in theater, a mind-blowing U2 concert with Chris Petlak & Amy Rapp, found our new favorite spot: Pier 290 in Lake Geneva & enjoyed beach time and boating while there. 4th of July & Labor Day meant we relaxed Blue Harbor Resort, which was wonderful.

I celebrated Sam Anzalone Bucaro's wedding with a mom's night out (pretty hilarious and lots of fun), experienced my first hair blow out (will never be the same again), & tried (LOVED) Stitch Fix. Gray & I enjoyed breaking out our cute boots down at my parents' country home during the spring, & my mom made the most awesome construction cake for Gray's birthday that I've ever seen. Mom & Dad totally renovated our old shed...making it an awesome, antique-filled family gathering space, perfect for BBQs and bonfires.

Grayson started preschool, we dressed as a superhero family for Halloween & had a blast with Uncle Chris & Aunt Amy at Marvel Universe LIVE! Gray tried skiing for the first time, Claire Arlene Reed made him the best sundae he's ever eaten Timothy O'Toole's in Gurnee.

To survive the cold weather over the past year...We painted canvases (and eggs), & had movie nights with good friends Jamie DeYoung-Ciszewski & Glen Ciszewski. Somehow we managed to survive (barely) NORGE 2015 with the amazing Heidi Savoca Doyle & her crew....and we just had the most magical Christmas EVER!

Cheers to these memories, and a year full of new ones in 2016!
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// THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT & FRIENDSHIP!!! //

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ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE: CRAFTY DIY TEACHERS {& other fab ladies}

12/20/2015

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I'm back again with one of my ultimate teacher gift guides!  If you missed my previous guides...check them out! There's something for everyone, & these gifts are perfect beyond the holidays. {bossbabe gifts, techie gifts, fashionista gifts} Today I'm featuring must-haves for the DIY, crafty teacher {or other fab lady}. Some are challenging, others relaxing & therapeutic. Some items you may actually want to make and GIVE as gifts...others will be to amazing to give away!

If you still need to buy for colleagues, blogging besties, or teachers of your own kiddos, take a peek. Think about upcoming birthdays & other gift-giving opportunities beyond the holidays. Know other fab ladies who are constantly creating? They'll love these. Better yet?? Look around for YOURSELF! This is MY personal craft-astic WISH LIST, featuring fun goodies for every interest. TOMORROW will feature a new gift guide, so come back for more swoon-worthy gift ideas!

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1) I love the new stone & tassel necklace trend! What's fun about this Agate Pendant Necklace Kit is that you can learn to create them YOURSELF!

2) I always love terrarium, & these little planters put into lightbulbs shine brightly, for sure. Easy to make, & soothing as an addition to your office space or other household area.

3) Add a touch of nostalgia to your crafting fix with this darling embroidery kit! This looks like something straight out of my grandmother's house, & while I don't sew, I'm totally drawn to this!

4) Any true crafter needs this darling bag. It's clever, cute, & made me chuckle.

5) Want more DIY kit & class options?  Brit+Co has TONS to keep you craftastically busy!

6) You will see several favorite DIY jewelry kits on this wish list, so......I figured we need to create some nice catch-all jewelry dishes to go with!  Make these gorgeous marbled jewelry trays & give to someone special, or keep them for yourself because they're just to pretty & functional.


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7) This DIY crystal necklace kit is so clever in the way it has you craft the piece of jewelry...yet it's simple enough a kid could do it!

8) One of several DIY jewelry kits I love, this layered leather bracelet kit with metal accents is stylish, simple, & comes with everything you need to create your own.

9) I shared my terrarium love above, but these teardrop versions are just my favorite. Perfect for tabletop, or can be hung from the ceiling for a dramatic effect. 

10) Simple, personalized necklaces are huge right now, & being able to make your own is even better! Pick up this gold bar necklace kit & get creative with your own accessories line.

11) No one is more thrilled about the coloring book revival that is currently taking place, & for even those who doubt the power of coloring as an adult...this Lost Ocean coloring book will change your mind with its whimsical beauty!

12) I remember learning how to make hand-carved stamps! Now you can relive those childhood memories with this carve-a-stamp kit that includes everything you need to get your stamp on!


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13-14) Aren't paper flowers just gorgeous? Better yet, they last forever! This paper flowers online tutorial is at the top of my wish list. Rather than searching for materials, I'll just add on the floral kit at a discount, so that I can get crafting immediately after watching the video. To help extend my paper flower frenzy, I think this Paper to Petal book is the perfect choice!

15) Hand-lettering makes me happy, happy, happy! I love it all, everywhere: art prints, chalkboards, notecards, you name it. Learn to hand-letter yourself with this online hand-lettering course!

16) Pick up this Hand Lettering Ledger to keep learning beyond the online course.

17) I'm obsessed with calligraphy....have been since I was little & my grandma bought my first calligraphy kit for me! It's never to late to learn or improve, & these Calligraphy 101 & 201 online classes & deluxe kit means you can enjoy what I call, "calligra-therapy" whenever you want!  

18) If watercolor brush calligraphy is more your speed & medium, then try out this brush calligraphy online class & don't forget to add in the kit for a major discount when purchased with the course!


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19) If you're as terrarium-obsessed as I am....why not WEAR ONE around your neck? Pick up this DIY terrarium necklace & make it happen!

20)  Looking to learn simple gardening, but not necessarily on the terrarium train? Take thisonline succulent gardening course & get started today. Some green plants would brighten up your winter!

21) Serve your custom crafted cocktails in this custom created glass kit. Add some sparkle to your sipping!

22)  Everyone loves a delish cup of eggnog, especially at holiday time. Why not craft your own? This DIY eggnog kit has everything you need to bring the taste of the holidays to life!
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23) Love custom designed handbags, but hate paying for designer name brands? Want to put your own design stamp on the next purse you carry? Check out this DIY Handbag Design Course by Rebecca Minkoff. Get the 
DIY Fringe Clutch Kit with the course at a big discount & you'll have your first project ready-to-go. You'll be the next Kate Spade in no time!

24) Create wearable art with these DIY knotted necklaces. Watch the online knotted jewelry course & pick up the necklace kit to start creating instantly. Perfect to give as a gift or keep for yourself because the finished pieces look so fab.


Can't decide?!?!?  Give the gift of a MONTHLY CRAFT SUBSCRIPTION!

Subscription Box for Tweens

*The fine print: this post contains affiliate links which means that if you use these links to make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Of course, you are not obligated to use these links to make your purchase but please know that when you do,
​it supports my blog and for that I thank you.  XOXO, Lindsey
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Birthday Bash GIVEAWAY #6: $50 ETA Hand-2-Mind Gift Card

12/20/2015

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SURPRISE...It's the end of our Birthday Bash 2015 and we are giving away the biggest prize today! It's a $50 gift card to Hand-2-Mind Teacher Resources. Say what!?!?! Yep--you can stock up on many great things for your classroom with this amazing gift card. Follow the Rafflecopter directions below. Good luck and thanks again for following our
​Birthday Bash Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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$25 TPT Gift Card GIVEAWAY!

12/19/2015

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Enter below to win today's Birthday Bash Giveaway! If you win you could stock up on products for 2016! I know I have some goodies in my cart just WAITING to be purchased.
​Best of luck!

Come back tomorrow for our FINAL BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!  It's going to be the biggest prize so far, so spread the word, and see you tomorrow!  XO

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD.....THIS IS WHY I TEACH

12/17/2015

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Sometimes something happens in your classroom, on the next-to-last day before winter break, with squirrelly kiddos, that just rocks your world, brings, you to tears, makes you so proud of your students, school, district, community, and profession....today was one of those days.

We were actually having a great day, engaging in some fun, seasonal STEM (more to come on that, but this is far more important now), but my students were SO DISTRACTED. NOT by the holidays or winter break (okay, maybe a little), but rather about the incredible story that hit the news yesterday about William (left) from our middle school. I know William's twin brother, Eamon, and both are involved in our district STEP program....and adored by all. 

William is a 14-year-old who LOVES basketball, and is the manager of the middle school team. He does such a great job, works diligently, and makes everyone happy around him. WATCH & READ the news brief below to see the incredible story about William's "shot heard around the world" (which has gone pretty darn viral), and try not to tear up.  I dare you.

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Did THAT get your attention?  Keep reading.

Sometimes as teachers, we need to stop and listen. STOP.AND.LISTEN. All day I'd been hearing buzz about this video, but hadn't had the chance to view it yet. Then, I heard the conversation take a turn and suddenly one student was sharing how this reminded her of a music video: Renegades by X Ambassadors.

Finally, instead of trying to get students "back on task." I just gave in and listened. I needed to. This was the type of moment that we sometimes miss...amongst mandates, and testing, and stress, and meetings. This was the type of moment that reminds me of how ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL even our most challenging students are. This is the type of moment that tugs at your heart. This is the type of moment that reminds me why I'm an EDUCATOR.  

I LOVE the song Renegades, but had never seen the video. From this student comment, I previewed the video, and proceeded to bawl my eyes out. NOT because I was sad or sorry for the subjects of the video, but because it/they were INCREDIBLE. INSPIRING. MOVING. IMPORTANT.​  Watch the video.

At this point, class completely stopped. I shut down everything else we were doing and we spent the rest of our time together, watching the news clip, talking about William, discussing the Renegades video, making connections between the two, the world, and our current theme unit of study. We all shared stories about personal connections we had to people who had overcome great obstacles, to those we know who are advocates for those people, and how incredibly important it is that we raise AWARENESS.....NOT of "disabilities," but rather of their incredible DEDICATION, PERSEVERANCE, and INSPIRATION.

Not only did my class make those personal connections, but they also linked it to our current study of the Great Depression and the incredible guts, sacrifice, and determination it took to survive the 15 year economic and environmental epidemic that plagued our country. YOU CANNOT WRITE THIS STUFF.  You know why? BECAUSE IT IS REAL & IT IS IN THE MOMENT.

Why am I writing this?

Of course I'm writing this because I think it's crucial to raise awareness about the incredible achievements of so many who are deemed "disabled." I'll tell you what.....I wouldn't want to go up against ANY of those featured in the Renegades video in ANY sport. They would kick my bootie from here to Sunday in a second.....but at the end of the day, I don't think that's the main reason I felt so compelled to write this.

There is SO MUCH NEGATIVITY constantly engulfing us about teaching, our education system, Common Core Standards, our students, this generation of children, families, etc, etc, etc, ad nauseam. It's slapping us in the face from all directions, the news, parents and community.....and from fellow educators. Is some of it true and accurate? YES. Is teaching extremely tough? ABSOLUTELY. Do we need things to change in our education system for the better? ALWAYS.....but NONE of that is really why we teach, and we have to OUTSHINE the darkness that we face with the BRIGHT LIGHTS that we often ignore, don't stop to listen to, or that simply get choked out by those hazy clouds.

This story of William, his coaches, his advisor, his teammates, his family, the basketball fans, Elm Place Middle school...it's MAGIC. It's GOOD. It's REAL. IT MATTERS. The story of my students being so enthused by his story that they couldn't stop thinking and talking about it, they made a connection to a popular song, and they left NOT feeling sorry for anyone, but ADMIRING them and self-reflecting, is the most important lesson I could ever hope for them to learn...and they didn't learn it from ME, or a BOOK, or a MANDATE. It came from WITHIN.

Despite what any data or society says, WE are not failing, our KIDS are not failing. Are things perfect? NO. Do we still have to work on improving LEARNING & SCORES? OF COURSE. However, we just need to STOP.LOOK.LISTEN. If our hearts are open to the little miracles happening around us in our classrooms every day, then we will be able to WEATHER the storms that come and go in education and be better teachers for our students, leaving the ultimate lifelong impressions on them, lifting up our colleagues, and being proud of who we are. EDUCATORS.

-PASS IT ON-

Inspired by the one-and-only Greg Smedley-Warren of The Kindergarten Smorgasboard, every time I read something negative about education on Facebook or other social media, I'm posting and reposting William's story. I challenge you to do the same. You can use the direct link to his newscast, or simply push this blog post out....but either way, pass along the positive. UTILIZE this amazing, yet simple, story of a sweet, hard-working kid and his amazing coaches to hit home the message that we are STRONG, we CARE, we are WINNING. WE ARE EDUCATORS.
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​All hail the underdogs
All hail the new kids
All hail the outlaws
Spielberg's and Kubrick's
It's our time to make a move
It's our time to make amends
It's our time to break the rules
Let's begin

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