GPISD Elementary Teacher of the Year!

Last Tuesday I was honored to be chosen as Grand Prairie ISD's Elementary Teacher of the Year! There is a saying that individually we are just one drop of water but together we are an ocean. This award would not have been possible without my family, the teachers who have mentored me throughout my career, and the amazing group of people I get to work with at Moseley daily!

So, this happened...

Voting Open: 2012's Most Fascinating Elementary Teacher Blog

Bishop's Blackboard has earned  a nomination for 2012's Most Fascinating Elementary Teacher Blog. Voting is now open and the blog with the most votes by May 21st will win. It is nice to know that others read and value what I write. So, if you find my content useful, feel free to vote by visiting the link above . If you do not have Google+ you will need to sign up. Once you sign up, you will see Bishop's Blackboard listed first under the comments section. You should see a +1 next to my blog. Click the +1 and you have voted. Thanks for your support!

Blog on Fire Award

Thank you to Rebecca at Teaching First for giving my blog the Blog on Fire Award! It is very sweet of you. If you have not had a chance to check out her blog, click here! I love blogging and reading other people's blogs so it is very rewarding to know that others find my blog useful and relevant. Thanks to all who read my blog and thanks to all who share their wonderful ideas through this crazy online world!

So as a part of receiving this blog, I am supposed to tell you seven things about myself and then pass the award on to seven other blogs.

Here are seven non-educational, completely random things about me...and I mean completely random:

1. My newest obsession is Pinterest - follow me here! But, if you follow me on Pinterest, please don't blame me if you get addicted!
2. I am a technology junkie...why else would I be blogging when I'm sleep deprived?
3. I am addicted to Diet Coke. If only I could have it pumped through my veins...
4. Concerts are my favorite passtime - I saw Steven Tyler two weeks before he fell of the stage (the first time that is), a real-life Beatle (Sir Paul, himself), was in the background of a Bon Jovi video, and experienced my first "mosh pit" thanks to Jared Leto.
5. My new favorite t.v. show is Revenge. Once Upon a Time looks promising too - I like all of the literary references. (Speaking of...I'm watching Revenge right now; the life of the teacher is multi-tasking.)
6. I used to love reality t.v. until it became more fake than Kim Kardashian's wedding!  
7. I cannot put furniture together to save my life...I read the first direction and give up. So, although I love to look at IKEA, I probably will never buy anything there.

Now, to pass on the award to seven fellow bloggers. It is very hard to choose, but these are the blogs that are new to me that I have been reading lately:

1. First Grader...At Last
2. Learning With Mrs. Parker
3. First Grade Fabulous Fish
4. Rowdy in First Grade
5. Pencils Glue and Tying Shoes
6. The First Grade Jungle
7. Castles and Crayons

Thank you to all of these teachers for sharing their expertise with the rest of us!



Thank You!

Thank you to Lori at Bee the Change for passing on the Versatile Blogger Award to me. It is very nice to have fellow teachers share their ideas with me and I hope that my blog provides a variety of ideas for both my colleagues and parents of sweet little first graders! If you get a chance, check out Lori's blog!

Awards Ceremony

We had our annual first grade awards ceremony this morning to honor all of the students' hard work. The students received awards for academic achievement, excellent attendance, excellent citizenship, and for being "Terrific Thunderbirds." Top Reader awards were also given to the three students who turned in the most reading logs this year.  Below are a few pictures of the students with their awards.

 Terrific Thunderbirds

 Academic Achievement

Excellent Citizenship

 Excellent Attendance

Jet to Success Top Readers

Important End-of-Year Dates

Next week will be the last week of school and it will be a very busy week. A note has previously been sent home regarding these dates, but just in case you missed it, mark these important dates on your calendar:

• Pride Rally/Exemplary Celebration – Monday, May 30th at 8:20AM in cafeteria
• Memorial Day Lessons - Monday, May 30th throughout the day (bad weather make-up day)
• Awards Ceremony - Tuesday, May 31st from 9:15-10:00AM in cafeteria
• Picnic – Thursday, June 2nd from 11:30-1:30PM on east playground
• Early Dismissal – Friday, June 3rd at 1:30PM

 Parents are welcome to attend Pride Rally, the Awards Ceremony, and the Picnic.

Stylish Blogger Award

Thank you to Mrs. Johnson at Wild About Kindergarten, Mrs. Adcock at The Joy of First Grade, and Miss Griffin at Fantastic First for awarding my site the Stylish Blogger Award!

Here are the rules for receiving this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award 5 recently discovered great bloggers

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

7 things about yours truly:

1. I grew up in a very small North Texas town, Nocona. I am a proud product of their public education system.
2. I moved to Arlington, Texas to attend The University of Texas in Arlington where I earned a degree in English and Sociology. Go Mavericks!

3. This is my third year teaching first grade. I was honored this year to be chosen to represent my school as Teacher of the Year!

4. Prior to teaching first grade I worked in a faith-based early childhood center and then as an administrator in Montessori education.

5. I am an organizational crazy woman when it comes to work and my classroom but could care less about organizing at home.

6. In my free time (what little there is, ha!) I enjoy reading James Patterson and Nicholas Sparks books. I also enjoy watching all of the Real Housewives t.v. shows...gives me brainless relaxation time!

7. I'm addicted to blogging!

5 Stylish Bloggers

1. Not Just Child's Play: Teaching Gifted First Graders

2. The Inspired Apple

3. The First Grade Sweet Life

4. Mrs. Patton's Patch

5. First Grade Best