https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990 Made by an exhausted teacher and student en-us 2018-11-12 16:58:26 UTC 2024-08-03 05:11:56 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Brightnessdown.png jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303364362 I ask myself this at least 10 times a day....

teacher

girlfriend? fiancee? partner? all of the above?
bonus mom

crazy cat lady 
crazy critter lady
former vet tech

student

walking dead fan(atic)

country girl
beach girl
not actually a girl anymore

and so much more to come...

]]> 2018-11-12 17:05:21 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303364362 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303372030 I am from the south. I've lived many places, but I'm from the south. I am from the mountains of North Carolina, the coal mines of eastern Kentucky, the beaches of Florida, the tobacco farms of central North Carolina, and the backwoods of North Georgia.

I've lived in North Carolina, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Long Island, Washington, and Minnesota.

I've lived in houses, gorgeous condos on the beach, barns, mansions in the mountains, trailers, abandoned houses, tents, hammocks draped with mosquito netting, tree houses, and a Nissan Centra.
It matters because I can relate to any living situation. I know what its like to be homeless. I know what its like to live in a mansion and be terribly lonely. I want any students, no matter where they come from, to know I can relate. And that anyone, from anywhere, can do anything. ]]> 2018-11-12 17:20:30 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303372030 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303380733 And it was a long and winding road to get here....
waitress, landscaper, I sold sunglasses on the beach, went to school here and there and everywhere, was a vet tech, worked at a primate sanctuary, got a degree in anthropology, worked as a nanny, sold dog and cat food, painted houses, ran a convenience store, got a degree in primatology, cleaned houses, lived out of garbage cans and the kindness of others, drove a bus, and delivered pizzas.
Somewhere along the way, in all those experiences, I found out I was a good teacher. Particularly with special needs kids.
And so, I will add special ed teacher to the list.]]> 2018-11-12 17:36:00 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303380733 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303391473 2018-11-12 17:54:30 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303391473 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303397942 I don't think I can put into words why I love teaching. Do I like kids? Sure. Do I feel like I'm "making a difference?" Sometimes.
Summers off? We all know that's a crock. I'm good at it? Most days. 
It just feels like what I should be doing...and one of the most dangerous. And that's what I like]]> 2018-11-12 18:06:09 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303397942 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303405818 I am learning more and more how to use technology, how it benefits my students (and me). But I'll admit, I am being dragged, kicking and screaming into the world of digital literacy. 
This board is a start.  ]]> 2018-11-12 18:19:58 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303405818 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303406649 When one of my students mumbles something under their breath...]]> 2018-11-12 18:21:08 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303406649 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303409995 My goals as a teacher are not to be the best, or teacher of the year, or even the teacher that all the students love and hope they're in my class. My students already know I can be grufff, a hard ass, and relentless when it comes to pushing them harder and harder. What I do want them to know, (and I think they do) is that I believe in them. I know who they are and what they can do. I will be the first one to call them out on bad behavior but fight for them with everything I've got. I will support them. I will tough love them to death. I may be scatter -brained and unorganized but I will not forget their birthdays or to check their homework. I will use every tool I have and everything I learn in the future to help them succeed. ]]> 2018-11-12 18:27:02 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303409995 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303416597 I actually hate it when someone says, after asking what I do, "wow! you must have the patience of a saint...it takes a special person to do what you do."
I really don't have a lot of patience. And I'm definitely no angel. I can be short tempered. I'm so unorganized. And unfit for society until I've had coffee. And you know what's super cool about the kids I work with? They know it. And they love me anyway.]]> 2018-11-12 18:41:03 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303416597 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303422741 I was not a good student. I started skipping school (feigning illness) in 1st grade. I may have been the only high school student to fail home economics and make A's in science. I was always in trouble. I had more teachers than not, tell me (some in so many words, and some directly) that college was probably not for me.  And then...I dropped out. I got my GED with the idea I would never set foot in another learning institution. I don't remember why I ended up taking college courses...maybe for a job? College was so different from high school...and I figured out that I was actually smart. Who knew? 
I ended up graduating magna cum laude. Weird]]> 2018-11-12 18:53:17 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303422741 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303452936 My most favorite spot on Earth]]> 2018-11-12 19:51:48 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303452936 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303454735 something I like to remind my students of...]]> 2018-11-12 19:55:44 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/303454735 jthacker3 https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/304077800 2018-11-13 23:41:43 UTC https://padlet.com/jthacker3/okie1990/wish/304077800