Teacher Tuesday: Melissa Lisell Edition

Melissa came to Beverly from another Plano school after her school lost a teacher due to numbers. She was an instant match with the second grade team. Everyone was so excited that we got such an awesome teacher out of a situation that is often uncomfortable. She later moved to third grade and it was another great fit! Melissa is just a few years younger than me, and another Plano grad...I'll give her break even though she went to one of my rival schools, Plano West.

When we were both just a tad bit younger, we hung out some outside of school and I always had a great time with her.

Melissa is someone you can talk to about anything. She is open and honest and I appreciate her friendship and value as a coworker every single day.

Get ready to meet the amazing, Melissa Lisell...

How long have you been teaching? 

11 years

What is your classroom decor? 

Red and Black for Texas Tech

You know I LOVE this room! Wreck'em! 

Look at this cute "Turkey in Disguise" project! So fun! 

What is your favorite story about a student? 

Wow! It is hard to pick out just one. Every time a student succeeds at something new achieves academically, or socially, I get to think: I helped them do that. Even if I have had a similar student before, it is never exactly the same. So it's new, every time, every year. That's why I am a teacher and that's why I look forward to each new year.

What is your favorite lesson to teach?

Science experiments are always a favorite because the kids are so engrossed in the experience. It is amazing to watch the ideas, explanations, and connections pour our of their brains, as well as witness the natural collaboration that occurs between students.

What inspires you? What is your strong?

Every day is a new day. Mrs. Savant, our principal, put quotes on the tables for our back to school in-service. One said, "Would YOU want to be a student in YOUR classroom?" I posted this saying above my computer to remind myself to make every day memorable and make every interaction with my students count. 

With a teacher who can rock Leonardo with the best of them, who wouldn't want to be in her class? So fun! 

What is your favorite Caffeinated Beverage?

Diet Coke

What is your favorite school celebration?

Comprehension Cafe. The 3rd graders practice reading special books, jokes, and poems for several weeks. They work on their fluency and intonation, as well as many other skills. On the day of the cafe, the 3rd graders read their books to 1st graders. They dress up as chefs and the entire 3rd grade is turned into a cafe complete with white tablecloths, twinkling lights, cookies, and hot cocoa.

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

Read! 

Ok, so she didn't write this herself, but I want to put it out there. While she is an amazing teacher by day, she is an awesome travel agent as well. She's pictured here with her mom and her sister and they are killing it with their travel biz.

Tell us your best classroom management trick.

Distraction ;). I switch seating arrangements and partners frequently. I believe in redirection and positive reinforcement. When a child doesn't feel they are being singled out or reprimanded, they are much more likely to produce the behaviors you desire.

Favorite teacher you've ever had?

Mrs. Meacham (4th grade at Daffron Elementary) because she would read amazing stories to our class. We would become so captivated by the books that we would beg for one more chapter every single day. I can still remember the books she read us, including one of my favorites, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.

5 adjectives to describe your classroom...

Organized, Fun, Independent, Focused, Positive

Her classroom is ttuly all of these things! I love going to her room to teach guidance lessons. Her kiddos are always so respectful and engaged in the lessons.

For this interview, I used three of Ms. Lisell's cute third graders. They loved being the "experts" on their teacher and I can tell they know her really well. Plus, they all have a really great sense of humor! 

 Meet Michael, Gabe, & Kelsey!  

How old is your teacher?

Kelsey- 30

Michael- How am I supposed to know?

Gabe- I don't think I should guess.

These kids are smart! :)

What does your teacher do for fun?

K- Check Facebook (insert laughter) What? That's what my mom does! Sorry, Erin ;).

M- Do more work for us!

G- Play Candy Crush on her phone.

What would your teacher do with $1,000,000?

K- Buy like a TON of Diet Coke from McDonald's. She drinks one every day!

M- Buy a Lamborghini!

G- Buy school stuff like clipboards, pencils, you know, that's all you teachers like. Gabe's mom is a teacher too, so I'm sure he gets more than enough time in the school supply aisle at Target :).

If your teacher wasn't a teacher, what would she be?

K- A Counselor

M- A Nurse

G- A Mom

Or maybe she would be Little Red Riding Hood, you never know! 

If your teacher was a fruit, which one would she be and why?

K- An apple because apples and teachers are always together. Even in Kindergarten, it's like a-a-apple.

M- Grapes because she has a lot of friends and grapes are bunched together like friends. 

G- A peach because she is sweet.

What is something your teacher doesn't like?

K- Work completion and bad grades! 

M- Sour grapes

G- Bad Handwriting

If your teacher could teleport, where would she go?

K- Back and forth all day from home to school so she could be with us and check on her dogs at the same time. 

M- Hollywood

G- She would go to different schools to see what it is like and to experience more things.

She definitely loves her dogs. They are super cute, too! 

What makes your teacher so special?

K- She plays music while we are working.

M- She lets us take dance breaks.

G-She's really nice.

That's a wrap! Let's Dab on it until next time...

What's Up Wednesday

What I'm Working On

Our fabulous PTA bought me an interactive computer/whiteboard program called Smart Guidance.  I am in the process of starting groups for various topics as added guidance support. During December and January, I will hold sessions about self-confidence, organization, study skills, bullying, and problem solving skills. I am calling the meetings "Bobcat Buddy" meetings. Teachers have recommended kids to come see me that don't normally get small group time with me. I am excited to expand my program to include more students.

The best part is, the program requires basically no prep work and includes teacher guides and questions to ask throughout the lesson. Here is the link if you want to know more about it.
Smart Guidance

Heard Around the Halls

This one is a little throwback! Last year we had a career dress up day for College Week. One sweet little girl told her teacher she was going to be a School Counselor when she grew up, so she was going to dress just like Ms. Bulino. Her teacher asked her what she would wear and what tools she would have to make sure she dressed just like me. Her response was perfect. "I am going to wear a fancy watch, a cute scarf, and I will make sure I bring my phone with me wherever I go in case there is an emergency.

Arm Party...check

Scarf Problem...check

I'd like to not have to carry my phone all over the school, so the only solution I can think of is an Apple Watch...

I can't say "check" quite yet. Santa, this is officially on my list. It's basically a work necessity at this point, ok?!?!

A Counselor's Life

Here are my two favorite lessons going on right now...

4th Grade: Responding Appropriately to Hurtful Comments 

First, I read the book Simon's Hook. It's all about ways to avoid "biting" when someone says something you don't like. It gives five strategies to avoid responding in a way that will encourage more hurtful comments. The five strategies are...
1. Ignore them: "Did you hear something?"
2. Agree with the hook: "Some people think so."
3. Make a joke or laugh: beat them to the punch line
4. Distract: "Look at that bird over there."
5. Avoid the hooks: Go play with someone else

I wrote teasing comments on some little fish, punched holes in them, and put a paperclip through the hole. Then I made some "fishing rods" with rulers, yarn, and magnets. The kids went "fishing for hooks" and then used one of the strategies to respond. They had the best time and I think this one will really stick with them.

It's a little blurry, but you can see the fish under the "water".

Here is a pic of them fishing...

5th Grade: Learning Not to Spread Rumors and Gossip

I took each class out to the playground. We got in a big circle and played a good old fashioned game of telephone. I started with, "Ms. Bulino eats jelly beans and dances to Juju on That Beat". It ended with, "Ms. Bulino eats butter for breakfast." We talked about how the subject of the rumor stayed the same, but the action changed. In fact it changed several times during the course of the game.

Then, I showed them a bottle of glitter and said it was a bottle of rumors. I flung glitter all over the playground (my favorite part, obviously).

I told them to make sure they picked up all the "rumors" since they weren't true. Despite their best efforts, they kept seeing the glitter glimmering in the sunlight. They all started saying there was no way they could ever pick up all the "rumors". Exactly. We discussed that once the rumor is out there, you can never really get it back.
Then we read a book by Madonna, yes, Madonna.

It has a similar message, but uses feathers instead. They were so attentive during this lesson. I could tell it really hit home for many of them. One class even clapped when the lesson was over. I hope they keep this close to their hearts when they go to middle school.

Also, check out the "Poot Mouth" video going around Facebook right now. Two different teachers shared it with me and the little girl in the video is spot on.

Technology Tip

Google Forms for Counseling Documentation

Last year I struggled with finding a way to document the students I was seeing and what kinds of issues were coming into the office. I really thought I would be able to remember it all, but this job has so many components and changes day to day. I created some Google forms that would help me quickly take notes on the students and see what kinds of issues were most prominent in each grade level. I also added a section for parent communication so I could remember when I had talked to parents and what the outcome was of our sessions and communications. You can check out the form here! 

Something I Am Listening To

Lore

I am totally into a podcast called Lore by Aaron Mahnke. He goes around the country investigating urban legends and folklore. It's definitely a drive to work kind of thing because it can be a little spooky. I find it fascinating because he tells the historical background of what was going on at the time. From the Salem Witch Trials to the Civil War, I learn something new every time. Most of the time he is trying to discredit the folklore, but often he cannot and sometimes even gets spooked himself. It's worth a listen if you have some kid free time in the car.

UPlifting Inspiration

It's all about that growth mindset, people!

That's What's Up this Wednesday! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving break! Gobble 'til you Wobble! 

Friday Faves 11/11

A Brand New Planner

I wasted spent a lot of time stalking social media and websites for the perfect new personal planner for 2017. I love my May Books, but typically use them for note taking. I loved my Erin Condren Life Planner, but didn't need so much room per day since most days are filled with school. I love my Plum Paper Planner for work, but it is really more of a teacher planner. I needed something small, cute, and easy to manage.

Enter the Erin Condren Monthly Deluxe Planner. I am in love. It's perfect for keeping track of my personal life and major school events. Here is a little look inside if you are interested.

Front Cover

  Monthly Spread- Gold Washi Tape for the WIN! 

Notes Pages

 More Notes & To Do List pages plus an Erin Condren Dashboard (on the left). It is laminated so you can use it over and over again. You simply write on it with permanent marker and erase it with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser :). So fun! 

Stella & Dot

I already love Stella & Dot jewelry, but I REALLY love that I get to hang with my besties this weekend because our girl Rachelle who lives in San Antonio, recently became a stylist. This weekend will be full of TRL time

T-Tracy, R-Rachelle, L-Lexie

Also, I'd like to note that we named ourselves this back when TRL was actually on TV! These girls were my college roomies for three years and I love them like sisters! 

Ok, back to S&D...I already have my eye on a few fun new jewels...Like everything on this page, but defnitely #1, #5, & #10! 

If you want to get your shop on, you can buy something online from my trunk show. They are offering Dot Dollars, so you get a portion of money back and can use it later in December. Does anyone else here love GAP Cash? It's sort of like that! 

Click here to shop! 

Dallas Cowboys

I can't even believe it! It is fun to watch the 'boys again! I'm sort of feeling like this...

If you've know me for awhile or at least for the last 10 years, you know I'm not the biggest Romo fan. I know it's not his fault that he's not Troy Aikman who I ADORE, but he could at least pretend to be him. Troy's over there like, "I've had 5 concussions, but let's throw the ball". Romo is more like, "Ouch, my pinkie hurts guys."  #NoMoRomo. I'm sure you've all seen the 2015 NFL bad lip reading video, but in case you haven't check it out below. Tony at 2:20 seems spot on. 

 

I have renewed spirits when watching the Cowboys this year. Let's go Prescott to Witten all day! You the man, Dak! 

Shopblends.com

So you know my love for Starbucks, right? Well it turns out when you go to Starbucks on the daily, it starts to add up...big time. I decided if I wanted to be able to buy clothes, eat, or do anything social, I needed to cut back. A while ago, my mom ordered some tea from shopblends.com and it was delicious! I like it just as much as Starbucks Passion Tea. It's unsweetened and it's green tea, but it doesn't taste like normal green tea- it's better.

 Also, their flavored coffees are the bomb! I ordered this pumpkin flavored coffee and my mornings have been extra fun and my kitchen smells great! 

Julia Cook

Julia is by far my favorite author for counseling resources. Her books are funny, cute, and extremely kid friendly. She uses silly characters and rhymes to explain all kinds of things like anxiety, digital citizenship, anger management, and more. I am SO excited because she will be speaking at a conference I am attending in January about motivating unmotivated learners. I have often recommended these books to parents as well because she always lists some great tips and tricks for teachers and parents in the back of her books. 

Check out her website here! 

These are some of my must-haves in my counseling library...

Happy Friday! Enjoy the weekend!