I'm a Teachers' SPANX

As embarrassing as it might be for me to admit this, there is one thing my team knows about me (and frequently makes fun of me for) and that is, I talk to myself very openly. If you were sitting next to me in a car or passing me up in a store, you'd probably think I was wearing a phone ear piece and having a conversation with someone...

...I'm not; I'm conversing with the person in my head. Looney? *shrug* It keeps me sane, actually.

So as I was driving home one day, I couldn't stop rehearsing (in my mind) ways I would respond to comments I hear teachers say in my planning meetings with them. I figured, I have a lot to say and I'm always thinking of things I'd like to impart to my fellow teachers. Naturally, since I have a personal blog, thought it might be beneficial to begin a professional blog.

Maybe one day I'll become a professor of Education and be able to educate other perspective teachers. For now, I hail from Houston, Texas by way of Waco, Texas as a proud alumni of Baylor University. Although my degree focuses on the science of physical therapy, I am certified to teach grades 4-8 and my specialty is in Math.

As a teacher in the classroom, my passion slowly drifted towards helping other teachers make their classrooms come alive. I quickly was appointed to various leadership positions on my campuses (team lead, technology facilitator) and district (co-facilitator for district technology classes, curriculum writer for district college/career readiness curriculum, and content specific pedagogy classes facilitator). These opportunities brought various mentors who I am greatly indebted to as they poured much wisdom into me and groomed me through their own best practices of facilitation and passion.

I now am in my 2nd year as a Math/Science Specialist at a Fine Arts magnet school where I seek out and enjoy every opportunity I have to meet with teachers, help them build upon their ideas, magnify their talents and place in their hands the tools/resources they need to be successful!

Its my joy to call myself their SPANX! I told my teachers at the beginning of our academic year, that like any good spanx, I am an undergarment useful for shaping and giving them a productive appearance! My ultimate goal is numerical results, but my underlining goal is in shaping the teacher into a Master Teacher through discussions of best practices, reshaping their thoughts, being a sounding board for their venting sessions and praising their strong suits.

Here are the things I believe are essential for keeping a teacher's morale lifted!

 All of these elements embody what I strive to do each day I walk into my office. I don't see my job as a "Nine to Five" or a "cubicle" type job. I see my job as a career that I'm passionate about. I think about doing things differently and better each day while I'm home watching TV, when I wake up and even sometimes thoughts find me while i'm asleep. I seek to learn my craft and drink from the knowledge and wisdom of those who've gone before me so I stay fine tuned.

Hope you enjoy following me & gain some insight if you're in this "catfish" of a career. Yes, we don't get paid much, but we have the largest paycheck by way of the influence we have on America! You can't tag a numerical value on that! If you don't gain anything, feel free to leave comments...let's keep it real- all teacher need a place to vent!