Hallelujah, It's Friday!!

I walked out of school today and I swear to you... the gray rain clouds parted, the sun started shining, and these angelic voices descended from Heaven singing -- FRIIIIDAAAAYY!!!! Ok, so that might have been in my head, but regardless - thank you God, it's Friday! :) This time of year is always crazy: field trips, meetings, field day, assemblies, meetings, meetings, state testing, and yes, you guessed it... more meetings! I mean, I'm losing it people!! I'm even wearing pink sunglasses.

Mr. B rockin' the pink shades! Oh yeeeahh!!

I know... hot, right?! I feel like I should be at a piano wearing a glittery jacket singing Rocket Man. I think my wife would have something to say about that. :o)  Anywhoo... I digress.
The other day I promised to answer some interview questions and I have no idea what happened to the post. We're going to try posting it again, so here's how it works:
1. Post the rules.
2. Answer the questions the tagger asks.
3. Create 10 new questions you are going to ask the people you tag in this post.
Here are the questions Heather from Read and Black and Learning All Over asked me to answer...
1. What is your funniest memory while teaching?
Oh there are so many, I don't know which one to pick! I was teaching a math lesson with my SMART Board, and I decided to have my students use our plastic pointer finger to move things around and engage in the lesson. Well, in my modeling, I was being very animated and whipped around to call on a student. The plastic pointer finger jumped I launched the pointer finger at a student (ACCIDENTALLY!) and he caught it in mid-air. Thank goodness for quick reflexes!

2. Are you teaching your favorite grade? If not, what would it be?
I am teaching my favorite grade! Granted, I am going on 6 years of teaching and all of those years have been in 4th grade. I may decide somewhere down the road to take on the challenge of a new grade level, but for now, I'm right where I want to be.

3. What did you want to be when you were a kid? Was it always a teacher?
I wanted to be everything: a doctor, lawyer, veterinarian, firefighter, everything a 10 year old boy wants to be. It wasn't until late high school/college I knew I wanted to teach.

4. What is your favorite book (for adults)?
Is it bad to say I don't read adult books?! I'm such a children's lit junky that I don't know what adult novels are out there. Does Hunger Games count?! Right now, I'm really into Rick Riordan's series of books: Percy Jackson, Kane Kronicles, Heroes of Olympus, etc. 

5. What is your favorite part about teaching?My favorite part of teaching is inspiring them to be world changers. I tell my students I want them to use their powers for good and not evil (they love that line), to use their knowledge to change people's lives, and to accomplish their goals and dreams. 


6. If you were give a free vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
My wife and I have been itching to go back to our honeymoon spot - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Sooo beautiful! However, we have always wanted to go Ireland as well.

7. What do you love to do with your class the first week of school?We start community building right away. We learn about respecting individuality, problem-solving, team work, integrity, and unity. We love morning meetings, singing, and Just Dance videos! Oh yeah, and we work on the procedures, routines and all that school-stuff too. ;)


8. What is your favorite part about blogging?
I love networking with other teachers and becoming a better educator. I really don't think I have much to offer myself - there are so many phenomenal educators out there in the blogosphere and I am learning so much from them. I love the fact I'm connected with teachers here in the States, and also with teachers from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and other countries. It's AH-MAZING!

9. When do you start counting down for summer vacation?We start counting down right after Spring Break. We have 16.5 days left. This school year has flown by!


10. When and why did you start blogging?
I started the Beach Brains Blog in February of this year. I wanted an outlet where I can reflect on my own teaching and gain insight from others. I've loved every minute of it!


Now, it's my turn to ask the questions and tag some people. So let's hear from...

Chickadee Jubilee

Second Grade Math Maniac

Fabulous in Fourth!

Cooperative Learning 365

Lessons with Laughter

1. Who was your favorite teacher growing up and why?

2. Toilet paper... pull from the top or the bottom?

3. What adjectives would your students use to describe you?

4. What do you like to do to help you de-stress?

5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

6. If there was one book you would recommend to a new teacher to do as a read aloud, which book would it be and why?

7. How many licks to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

8. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

9. Which subject is your favorite to teach and why?

10. What is your biggest pet peeve in the classroom?

Allrightythen... if you've made it this far, you deserve a cookie or something. I'm glad you stuck around! I promise to post something educational here soon. :) For now, I'm going to enjoy my weekend before we hit round 2 of state testing next week! Ta-ta!!

April Currently

Happy Monday, everyone!


I intended to post this yesterday, but I totally forgot to publish. I know I am way late to Farley's Currently Linky, but it's always better late than never! :o)

I'm also going to forewarn you all and let you know I'm going to commit a major blogging faux-pas. I'm going to post twice in one day. <GASP!> I say that, but then watch... I will get to doing something else and forget to post later. We'll see what happens. ;o)

My next post will be answering some questions posed to me by a fellow blogger. Stay tuned!

Josh

Giveaway Winner Announced and Life Craziness!

Hey, folks! Did you miss me?! I apologize for the interruption in my regularly scheduled blogging. Life has been pretty hectic, but I am glad to say that I'm back and ready to blog with a vengence. ;)

First things first... I need to announce the winner of my 50 Follower Giveaway! So... <drum roll> the $15 Pampered Chef gift certificate goes to... Misty from Think, Wonder, & Teach! Misty, be on the lookout for an e-mail from me and we'll work out the details.

I'm also excited to say that I will be starting a new teaching adventure next fall. Over the last couple weeks, I was visiting another school district and went through a couple interviews. I was interviewed for a 2nd grade position and a 4th grade position. I was hired to teach 4th grade in a technology-enhanced classroom. It's always been a goal of mine to "amp up" my lessons more with technology (more than I do now), so I'm thrilled to have this opportunity.

In addition to moving to a new district, my wife and I have decided to move forward and begin the adoption process. This will be our first adoption and our first child, so we'll have plenty to share. Be on the lookout for a new blog from yours truly. :)

That's all I have for now, and I pinky promise to post on the regular from now on. I hope you all are having a wonderful Easter weekend!

Josh