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A crucial part of any course, whehter it be in-person, remote, or blended, is making connections with one another.

Since we cannot be in-person, we are going to begin making connections through a shared Padlet (it is linked below).  What you need to do:

1. Choose three of the questions listed on the padlet to answer.

2.  Go to the padlet and create a post by clicking on the plus sign in the bottom right corner.

3. Title your post with the name you preferred to be called, your position, and the school(s) in which you work.

4. Choose three of the questions from the post on the Padlet titled "Questions." Answer these three questions below the title of your padlet.

5. Add a selfie to your padlet.  You can do this by either clicking the camera and taking a selfie right from your computer or by uploading a picture that is saved to your computer.

6. Look through each other's posts and make connections.  Can't see each other's selfies? Click on the grayed image, and the selfie will popout. Comment on at least two other participant's posts with a connection.

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1.Where is your happy place?
2. What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
3. What is the furthest place you have traveled?
4. What is something you like about yourself?
5. What is your favorite story (book or movie)?
6. Do you consider yourself an introvert, an extrovert, or a mix? Explain.
7. What is one thing you wish you had more time for in your life?
8. What do you do to relax?
9. When you are not at school, what do you spend most of your time doing?
10. What is your most prized possession? Where did it come from and why do you love it?
11. If you could only listen to one genre/type of music for the rest of your life, what would it be?
12. Think about the best class you’ve ever had. What made that class so special?
13. Create your own question or tell us something you want to share.

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1. My happy place is where I am in my selfie--at the lake! It is my family's cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin and a true haven for me.
3. I have traveled a lot!!! In fact, I have been to six continents.  The furthest is Australia.  I spent six months in Australia studying abroad in college.  If it was not a 24 hour plane ride from family, I would live in Aussie.
6. I am an introverted extrovert.  This might sound confusing! I love to socialize and find great enjoyment and comfort from being around being people...BUT, it takes a lot of my energy, and I need to recharge with alone time.

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1. My happy place is anywhere I can disconnect and be with my family.  I love being able to truly live in the moment and be 'away' from it all.  It makes me so happy!
4. I really like that I am such a planner and like to get work done. I love that I do not procrastinate and really try to get things done as they come along!
11. I would listen to downtempo music. This was introduced to me a few years ago and it is so calming and relaxing.  It is great background music to chill to and to cook to!

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Hiding under my desk as I am trying to work with my three year old :) 

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1.  My happy place is our family farm in North Louisiana.  Deep in the woods, it's been in our family for over 100 years.  We meet together to celebrate major holidays.  Our biggest gathering is always Thanksgiving where anywhere from 30-50 family members attend.  Delicious food, camping, bon fires, outdoor movies, four-wheelers and lots of laughter make for an amazing time.
5. My favorite movie is The Princess Bride.  I can quote the whole movie start to finish- annoying I know!  I have too many favorite books to list.
6. Like many have posted here, I am an introverted extrovert.  I do love being around others and socializing, but I need time to recharge afterwards.  I relish my quiet time.

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Brittany ELL Teacher Wild Rose Elementary

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Brittany ELL Teacher Wild Rose Elementary

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1. The furthest I have ever traveled it past the Arctic Circle in northern Norway (I think) I love to travel and would have to investigate the mileage from Chicago to make sure.
2. The most adventurous thing I've ever done is dog-sledding (also up past the Arctic Circle but in Sweden).  They basically told us how to stop and go and off we went.
3. My happy place is a lake called Pleasant Lake in Coloma Wis.  It is outside of Portage and takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes from home.  It has been in my family since 1954 so I love that my kids and I have been going since birth.

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1. My happy place is anywhere I am with my dog. Sounds so cheesy, but he is such a ray of sunshine in my life! Always smiling and always making me laugh.
6. I consider myself an introverted extrovert. I go out and about, but then take weeks to recharge. I like meeting new people, but I'm extremely shy. A good mix of both!
3. The furthest place I have traveled is Corfu, Greece. I went on a 2 week cruise with my grandma and cousin that followed the Mediterranean coastline. We started in Venice and ended in Barcelona!

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Bridget Kenon - School Psychologist @ Norton Creek

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Bridget Kenon - School Psychologist @ Norton Creek

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3. I have traveled to the UK in 2008, it was amazing!
5. I am currently reading The Warmth of Other Suns about the Great Migration. It is my favorite book I've read this summer.
9. When I am not at work I spend most of my time taking care of our 5 year old, Colleen. I've been grateful this summer that she's been able to do swim lessons and tumbling.

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Michelle Poelsterl- 4th grade Norton Creek

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Michelle Poelsterl- 4th grade Norton Creek

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2.  I feel like I just got back from the most adventurous thing I've ever done.  We returned Sunday from a 17 day camping trip out west.  We visited Yellowstone, Glacier, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  The adventure came in our hikes to lakes and waterfalls and our encounters with wildlife.
9.  When I'm not at school, fitness is a huge part of my life.  I used to be an avid runner but am not retired and am slightly addicted to my Peloton bike and strength classes.  It's my stress relief and my happy place for "me" time.
11. Country music is my top choice for a genre of music to listen to for the rest of my life but my boy band obsession might be a close second.

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1st Grade Corron Elementary

3. The furthest place I have traveled to is Rome.
6. I consider myself to be an introvert. I enjoy time to myself to read, and watch TV.
5. My favorite book is Anne of Green Gables. My mom first read it to me in elementary school. I later read it on my own and followed it up with what was a PBS series when I was little. I think part of the reason it is my favorite book is because it was a book I enjoyed with my mom.

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1. My happy place is where I am right now... Hilton Head, SC. We've been coming here since I was 10 years old with my family (and still do!) It's the best 2 weeks of the year.
2. Most adventurous thing: there are so many! I've jumped out of a plane in Mexico, bungee jumped in Thailand, gone canyoning in Switzerland, white water rafting in the Philippines, abseiling and great white shark diving in South Africa. I would say at one point or another, I thought I would get hurt or die doing all of these activities.
4. What I like about myself is that I am kind, athletic, and artistic. I like that I love my job and can make myself happy.

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I wish I had more time for organizing things. I like order, and efficiency, but never find the time to get my workspaces to function the way I want. It seems like I'd never be able to work if I spent time organizing.

I have a lot of hobbies that include growing,  and crafting things in the world of food and beverages. I'm dabble in beer, cider, charcuterie, orcharding and other things.

I took a remote class last summer which was an artist residency for art teachers through U of I. It turned out to be a great experience with other teachers, and I really enjoyed connecting with my assigned mentor. It was really a surprisingly inspiring experience.

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One of my happiest places is in the picture below. I grew up outside Philadelphia and spent a lot of my early summers visiting the shore. My parents have a place there and spending time there with family each year is a highlight!
When I'm not at school, I like to spend time listening to audiobooks and working on projects around the house or biking/running/walking the trails in the area.
I'm definitely more of an introvert. I enjoy socializing but often don't have hard time skipping it and enjoying quiet :)

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Melanie Lipecki - 6th Grade Language Arts @ Wredling Middle School

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Melanie Lipecki - 6th Grade Language Arts @ Wredling Middle School

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1.My happy place is on my couch, covered in blankets, coffee in hand, snuggled up to my dog child - Stanley - watching a horror/thriller movie with all the blinds drawn. There's been plenty of that this summer!
3. The furthest place I've traveled is Cancun, Mexico. My husband and I went on a trip there this summer with a couple of our friends who teach at Bartlett High School. It was so beautiful there, and served as a much-needed break following last school year.
8. To relax...and I CAN'T believe I'm typing this...I like to exercise. I have been attending F45 classes at the South Elgin studio since last October, and ever since fitness has become a huge part of my life. I find it incredibly therapeutic, and need to sweat it out every day to feel sane!

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Meaghan McKee- Kindergarten @ Bell-Graham

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Meaghan McKee- Kindergarten @ Bell-Graham

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3.  The furthest place I have ever traveled was to Italy.  I did a summer study abroad experience and would love to get back there some day!

9.  When I’m not at school, I like working out.  I’ve been going to OrangeTheory for the past couple of years and love it for the social aspect.

11. If I could only listen to one genre of music for the rest of my life, I would be satisfied listening to 70’s.  It’s the first preset on my radio stations in my car because I listen to the 70’s everyday.

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Kristi Richter-Duff-Art Teacher @ St. Charles East High School

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Kristi Richter-Duff-Art Teacher @ St. Charles East High School

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1. My happy place is spending time out in nature with my husband and with animals. I prefer being in mountains when I have the opportunity, but being out in nature anywhere will do. It's the best way for me to unwind and unplug.
6. I'm a big-time introvert. Parties? No thanks. Small gatherings of close loved-ones? Yes, please. Then tons of time to re-charge.
9. When I am not at school, I spend a good amount of my time volunteering for a local profit (see photo). It's a raptor center where we care for and educate the public about birds of prey and conservation of their species in the wild. It's a passion of mine and I have been involved with the organization for 4 years.

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1.  My happy place is at the the beach, I love boating, early morning walks, and just listening to the waves.
3.  The furthest place I have traveled is Russia, 3 trips in a 5 weeks, and in the dead of winter.  We traveled there to adopt our beautiful son.
9. When I'm not at school I love to relax binge watching Netflix, reading, spending time with my family, and playing with my dogs.

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1.  My happy place is on my road bike.  I haven't done any races or anything, but enjoy biking in the country with a group of friends each week in the summer.
3.  The furthest place I've traveled is Maui, which is where my husband and I married. We are planning to go back in three years for our 20th wedding anniversary!
6. I'm going to join the club and say that I too am an introvert. I shy away from groups and prefer conversations with people one-on-one. I need time to myself to recharge, which is one of the reasons I enjoy my commute from Dekalb. I love drinking coffee, watching the sunrise, and listening to classic rock or blues music each morning on my drive to work!

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Julie Pheney - ISC/Wellness Teacher - North HS

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Julie Pheney - ISC/Wellness Teacher - North HS

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2. The most adventurous thing I've ever done would probably be climbing Dunne's River Falls or Ziplining in various parts of the world (all with my husband and kids).
3. The furthest place I've ever traveled is Slovenia (4,700 miles). I was fortunate enough to travel to Europe (for free!!) as an athletic trainer for the women's basketball team at DePaul University while I was in graduate school.  I loved Lake Bled. It was beautiful!
7. One thing I wish I had more time for is mindless TV. I have Days of Our Lives saved to my DVR from Thanksgiving - I'm very far behind. I've never watched one show on Netflix. I don't know anyone else who can say that. I'm envious of those who can binge watch TV!!

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Because my more fun pic won't download . . . :( 

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1.  My happy place is at the beach with my family. With two working parents and kids In multiple activities we cherish our family time together.
2.  My favorite genre of music? Anything honestly from college days so maybe 90s rock. I still listen to Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Counting Crows and Bush. It brings me back to simpler times.
3. My best class ever was the incoming group I had two years ago. Not only were they just incredibly kind and sweet to each other as well as hardworking but they also interacted, communicated and collaborated.

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1.Where is your happy place?
In my solarium!  I even have a pillow on the loveseat in there that says "this is my happy place"!
2. What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
Skydiving!
3. What is one thing you wish you had more time for in your life?
Crafting - I enjoy scrapbooking and card making.

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Stephanie Corn - STCE - Instructional Tech Specialist

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Stephanie Corn - STCE - Instructional Tech Specialist

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6. I am definitely an introvert. I am usually quiet until I get to know you, and I need alone time to recharge everyday.
8. To relax, I like to exercise.  My husband and I try to go on a daily walk everyday to reconnect and release any extra stress.  I also like to listen to audiobooks on the way home from school everyday.  This resets me for my return home.
9. When not in school, I spend most of time working around the house. I enjoy home improvement projects (especially when they are done) and cooking/trying out new recipes or "cheffing"- creating some of my own.

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1. Where is your happy place?
My happy place is in Hawaii.  We have family that lives there and we try to get there to visit every year.  When we're there, we are together nonstop as a family, exploring, hiking, golfing and spending time at the beach.  It is so relaxing and I never want to come back from island life.
6.  I've been told that I'm an ambivert because I like to be around people and can be very social but I like to recharge alone.  All tests that I've taken have classified me as an introvert.
3.  The furthest place that I have traveled is to Krakow, Poland on a Eurpean trip my husband and I took.  It is right near the Ukrainian border.  I'd love to get to Australia some day which would then be the farthest!

P.S.  My picture is of me with the puppy, Calliope, that we kept from my other dog's litter this summer.  It was the summer of puppies and the best! :)

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(I am in the middle.)

1. Over the pandemic, I discovered several new hobbies.  The first is bullet journaling and the second is diamond painting.  I've always loved doing puzzles too, and I am a devout reader.  I love finding things to relax yet still stay busy. :)

2. My most prized possessions are the handwritten letters my dad has written to me throughout my life.  They started when I was little, but really when I turned 13 and became a teenager.  He wrote me letters when I graduated high school, college, got my first job, got married, and when I became a mom.  I write a letter to each of my kids on their birthdays so they will also have letters from their mom.

3. On my bucket list is to see all 50 states.  And visit all the National Parks.

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1. My happy place is anywhere on a vacation (Particularly a Caribbean vacation-on a beach). I enjoy being able to go anywhere with my family, boyfriend, or even friends to just have a place to refresh, relax, and destress.
11. If I could only listen to one genre of music for the rest of my life, I would have to choose country. Ever since junior high, this has been my genre of choice to listen to and think about life messages as well as a lot of country is now upbeat!
8. Although for some, it may not be relaxing to do this I absolutely enjoy going on long runs or kicking around the soccer ball! Every day before school, it's always a goal for me to get up every AM and just get a long run in! This makes me feel refreshed and ready for the school day! Especially because I am way too tired to work-out after school!

My selfie is this summer when my boyfriend and I went to Rivera Maya! Such a relaxing time! How I wish I could go back!

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My happy place is outdoors and on the water with my family.

One thing I like about myself is my sense of humor. It's a great coping mechanism and while a little dark and off-color sometimes, I can find the funny in most situations.  It's gotten me through some challenging times.

I'm a definitely a mix of introvert and extrovert. I'm an extrovert when it comes to teaching but in my personal life, I tend to be more introverted. I think it's a result of the energy drain of the profession.

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The best class I had was one in which I made connections to each child outside of the classroom. I attended at least one activity outside of the school day for each of my students. I felt the bond between each student which helped build our classroom community. My happy place and how I like to relax are combined. I love to be outdoors with family and friends just gathered for conversation, good food, and an occasional game of cards.