Meet the Teacher Monday!

Ya'll know that I love a good linky party, so with a name like "Teacher Week" over at Blog Hoppin'  I have to join in on the fun!

My dog Buddy and I ( He loves his Auburn bandana!)

Dutchess and I

Tell us a little something about you.
I'm Ashlee and I graduated in 2008 from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL.  I am from a small town outside of Birmingham....you blink and you miss it!  I LOVE AUBURN FOOTBALL!!!  I have two furry babies:  a cat named Dutchess and a Black Lab named Buddy (A.K.A the Budster).  My mom is a teacher and I swore to myself that I wasn't going to go into teaching like my mother!!! So I started out in communications.  I wanted to be an investigative journalist just like Lisa Ling...and for those that know me...well they like to get a laugh out of that!  After many, many communications classes I realized that I was not cut out for the degree I was pursuing.  I decided that maybe I should be a teacher because everytime I would babysit I had a plan.  I would have a picture book with an art activity, and I loved planning things like that.  So I changed my major right around the same time as my bestest friend forever--Sarah did.  The crazy thing was that we were both in communications and didn't discuss the thought of changing our majors!  So we were both very happy when we found out that we were both going to be teachers and could still take classes together!  Best decision ever!!!

How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching for two and a half years.  I graduated in December, and I was so excited when I landed a long-term sub leave where I completed my student teaching in 2009!  From 2009-2011 I taught third and first grades at a school in a rural area.  I miss my third graders, and I will never forget them since they were my very first *real* class!  I loved my sweet little first grade class, they were always making me laugh!   My school was one of the many areas affected from the April 27, 2011 tornadoes so I learned so much about kids resilience after that tragic time.  Sadly, with budget cuts and losing students after the tornadoes (moving to other areas) my unit was cut...so I've been looking for a teaching job all summer.  I'm optimistic that something will open up soon!!!  So say a little prayer for me!

You might not know...
I'm a shop-a-holic!  I can shop for hours on end and I love a good sale! I don't eat buffets or anything on a bone...the little blue part totally grosses me out! 

What are you looking most forward to this school year?
I guess that would be landing another teaching job and getting to know my new students!

What do you need to improve?
I believe that good teachers are always thinking of things that they need to change.  One thing I'm constantly changing is my behavior management system.  I love the clip chart that's all the rage on the blogs these days, and I created one this summer to use.  I also want to really focus on doing small groups more often with my higher students. 

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?
I can't live without R2 Blast Neon Pens ( I love these!  You can only find them at the Dollar General :A.K.A:  The Little Yellow Boutique)  Post-It notes, Mr. Sketch markers, chart paper, the ELMO, my timer, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and Dr. Pepper!

So go link up with Blog Hoppin'!  I can't wait to read everyone else's posts!!!