Hello, World!

Throughout my years of teaching, I have been inspired by the many teacher blogs out there on the web. I've learned many valuable bits of information from all of you wonderful teachers and have implemented so many of your ideas into my classroom. So I thought, why not give blogging a try myself? So now I'm giving back with some ideas of my own that I've used in my classroom. Here it goes...

Let me start my first post by introducing myself. I am a fifth grade reading, language arts, and social studies teacher at a Title I school in the Houston area. I love my job. I absolutely love my job. As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a teacher. As a child, I taught my barbies and dolls. When I was a teenager, I volunteered at my church to work with the younger kids. It's what I love, and I can't imagine doing anything else. That being said, it's not always easy. Today was proof of that. Today was our school's Valentine party. The day our students get to show their friends and teachers how much they care for them, right? Well for some, that's exactly what happened. But for others, not so much. Needless to say, today was a bit rough. But I still love what I do. I try to always teach through the rough spots while still keeping a smile on my face. Hints the name teachingwithasmile.com. I have to remember that some of my students do not go home to a place where they are nurtured and treated with respect. I try to always level with them with a calm demeanor and with a smile. Sometimes it's harder than others, like today. This is my first year teaching fifth grade, but I've taught fourth grade for three years. I've taught all four years at a Title I school, and I completed my college internships and student teaching at Title I schools as well. I work with a mixed ability group of kiddos. I have the opportunity to work with students that are english language learners, students with special needs and gifted students, and students everywhere in between. I am constantly differentiating my instruction to meet the needs of my students in the classroom. Small group instruction is so very important. This is where I like to spend the majority of my teaching.    I'll soon be posting some information and sources that I've found helpful in implementing small group reading instruction...Check back in soon!


Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope this website proves useful to you, and I hope you find the inspiration that I have found in so many of the teaching blogs out there. It's not always an easy job, but what a rewarding one!


Keep smiling,