Hello Everyone!
Welcome to my first blog ever. I am very excited to meet everyone and learn more about each person. Some background about me: I went to Western Illinois University, GO LEATHERNECKS! I earned my Bachelor's degree in Communication. I also earned a Master's degree in Business because I was struggling to figure out what I wanted to do the rest of my life. My grandma and grandpa have always been huge supporters of my ever changing career choices. My grandpa always tells me, "pick something you love Ashley, because it's what you will do the rest of your life." I always thought I was just going to float around from job to job, never really finding my true passion. It wasn't until I received a new job opportunity that changed my life plans. I started working as an instructional aide in an elementary school. After the first day, I went back home and finally understood what my grandpa meant by finding something I love. I enrolled at Dominican University in order to earn my Master's degree in Special Education. I currently have one semester left until I student teach in the spring.
I am currently working in an elementary school in Clarendon Hills, where during the week I go by Ms. B. I absolutely love our classroom and all the chaos that comes with it. I wake up and drive to work excited about the day ahead and what surprises may lie ahead. I love being able to help students find what works best for them and help them realize how smart they are. I have truly found my passion for teaching. I cannot wait to take all the information I have learned from classes, as well as my experiences as an aide, and use them in my own classroom one day.
Now to the good stuff.....
I currently live in Woodridge with my boyfriend (Joe) and my dog (my child). My dog is my best friend, and the most spoiled princess you will ever meet. My boyfriend and I are HUGE Disney fans! It is one of our favorite places to go on vacation. I even named my dog Minnie Mouse, after my favorite character. When I am not at work, going to classes, or doing homework, I love to be snuggled on the couch with Minnie. Below are two pictures of Minnie. The second picture is of Minnie dressed up. (personal photos)
My grandparents (personal photo)
I am currently working in an elementary school in Clarendon Hills, where during the week I go by Ms. B. I absolutely love our classroom and all the chaos that comes with it. I wake up and drive to work excited about the day ahead and what surprises may lie ahead. I love being able to help students find what works best for them and help them realize how smart they are. I have truly found my passion for teaching. I cannot wait to take all the information I have learned from classes, as well as my experiences as an aide, and use them in my own classroom one day.
Now to the good stuff.....
I currently live in Woodridge with my boyfriend (Joe) and my dog (my child). My dog is my best friend, and the most spoiled princess you will ever meet. My boyfriend and I are HUGE Disney fans! It is one of our favorite places to go on vacation. I even named my dog Minnie Mouse, after my favorite character. When I am not at work, going to classes, or doing homework, I love to be snuggled on the couch with Minnie. Below are two pictures of Minnie. The second picture is of Minnie dressed up. (personal photos)
This is a picture of Joe and me eating our way around Epcot. (personal photo)
Here we are celebrating Christmas at Disneyland. (personal photo)
I also love going to Disney with my friend Danielle, who is also a huge fan. (personal photo)
A nonDisney photo of the two of us. (personal photo)
FUN FACTS:
* I love to travel any chance I get. My favorite destination (so far) has been Maui. I love the laid back feeling of island life, but after a week I need to get back to my regular fast paced life.
* My freshman year I went college at Hawaii Pacific University.
* I LOVE all animals, but dogs are my favorite.
* If I won the lottery, I would buy a huge piece of land and save as many animals as I could. I hate that so many animals don't know the feeling of being loved.
* I do NOT like my foods to touch.
* I have a brother who is 19. He is an amazing hockey player.
* I love to ride on my Peloton bike.
* I can't start my day till I have had my Starbucks!
This is ME! If you want to know anything about Disney or dogs, please comment. I also love a good dog picture/video or Disney tip!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being so close to finishing your Masters! Student teaching will go by so fast and then the fun part-choosing where you will make a difference as an educator. You mentioned that you currently work in Clarendon Hills is that the school you plan to stay as a special education teacher after your student teaching? What grade would you be interested in teaching? The school I student taught at hired me four years ago and that is the school I hope to retire in. I hope everything works out for you. My first year teaching I was assigned the inclusion class and co-taught with the special education teacher. It challenged me as a teacher and made me reflect a lot on my teaching, planning, and collaborative teaching.
I see that you are a huge Disney fan! I really like Disney world. My daughter will turn two this August and I plan to take her when she is seven so that she can really enjoy it, ride the rides, and create some everlasting memories. If I take her now she will not remember the experience. I remember around the time I was planning with my wife our wedding I mentioned that we should go there for our honeymoon, but unfortunately she veto it. How many times have you been to Disney world/Disney land? Which one is better Disney world or Disney land? The last time I went was in 2015, did they make and changes or updates to the parks?
Regarding technology, is there something that you currently use at school that you recommend? I am a huge fan of Remind the communication tech tool. I started using it three years ago and I pitched it to my entire grade level team. Eventually it took them one school year later to try it out. I set up everyone’s account, gave a presentation on how to use it, and provided guidance to each of them on how to set up their students’ parents onto their accounts. Now the entire grade level team uses it and they are pros themselves. Just this week I received an email from CPS that Remind is now an approved tech tool for communications. If you do not use it I highly recommended it.
Respectfully,
Daniel
What a wonderful introduction to you! You are so fortunate to still have your grandparents- they are a special kind of fun! I enjoyed reading your introduction. For me, one of the best parts was how you would buy a plot of land and rescue animals. That sounds like a great idea- something I would like to do, too. We are partial to cats here and have fostered several little ones! Looking forward to learning with you the next 8 weeks.
ReplyDeleteHi Ashley! We're practically neighbors - I live in Clarendon Hills. Its a nice little community here (I've only lived her about 7 months) and I have friends who work in 181, but at one of the Hinsdale schools. Congratulations on finding your passion as well! I too love dogs, although my current dog McCoy doesn't really love dogs or people that much, but he loves me. I have fond Disney memories as a kid and with my own children. I would like to do one of races they have there one day and I want to visit the new Star Wars land they are opening up soon. I look forward to seeing your perspective as 'new' teacher. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Ashley, I really enjoy the layout and colors in your blog. You did a great job. I would not have known that this was your first one. Technology is a real challenge for me. I have never put an "app" on my phone. This course is taking me far, far out of my comfort zone. But I'm up for the challenge. I also enjoy Disney. My husband and I went there for our honeymoon. I'm not a roller coaster fan, however we mistakenly got on the "Space mountain" ride not knowing want it was. Since that time, I have been back twice to Orlando Disney and once to the California Disney. Oh yes, some years have past and we took our kids to Disney and rode Space Mountain. Over the years, I have learned that it can become a little boring living in "ones" comfort zone. Peace.
ReplyDeleteAshley !
DeleteAll of your memes speak to my heart !!!! Especially the UP one! (One of my favorite Disney movies )
Congrats on starting your student teaching ! I look back on my student teaching experience and can not help but smile ! I loved getting to know myself as a teacher and where I wanted to go. I have found that each time I go back to school as a teacher I find that my goals for who I want to be as a teacher become sharper. I hope you have an amazing semester!
I also love Disney and try and work it to into as many of my bulletin boards as I can! I think my favorite was a welcome back board that had all of my 7th and 8th graders names on balloons and the house from UP. I can't wait to work with you these next few weeks !
- Emily