Today our Teacher Tuesday guest star is Kimmie Stephens...soon to be Kimmie Nelson :).
Be sure to check her out...
I have been so excited about this write-up, but also a little nervous. I'm not sure I can put into words my love for this girl. When she interviewed. I immediately knew I wanted her on the first grade team. Then, she handed me a huge portfolio of work she had created and y'all it was PRECIOUS! The minute she walked out the door after the interview, I looked at my principal and said, "Hire her. Now! Like, right now. Can you call her?". My principal completely agreed and we were so excited to offer her the job.
She is such an asset to the first grade team. I was in my 10th year of teaching when we hired her and her youthfulness and new way of looking at things rejuvenated my creativity and drive to create the best possible lessons for my students. We only got to be teammates for one year, because I was offered the counselor position. Even though we can only say we were teammates for a year, I am certain we will get to say we are friends forever.
She is my Jingle Jam partner in crime,
she makes me laugh every time I am around her,
she is always down for a dress up day,
and we just kind of get each other. When we make our silly music videos, we almost don't need to talk about it because we are usually thinking the same ridiculous thing.
Not to mention she is so thoughtful and always makes people around her feel special. She worked with my awesome principal to create this heartwarming theme for Counselor Week complete with my bitmoji that she moved around the school every morning.
How long have you been teaching?
This is my 4th year.What is your classroom decor?
Garden Theme- bright colors, flowers throughout, and a classroom sign that says "First Grade is in Full Bloom".
She even incorporated this theme into our last dress up day for Friendship Week. Each class picked a theme and of course, her kid chose a garden theme. They all dressed up as flowers, insects, or birds and it turned out so cute!
She then used the theme to promote kindness and good citizenship in her classroom. Perfection!
What is your favorite story about a student?
Every year we celebrate Johnny Appleseed's birthday in September. We learn about folk tales and talk about how Johnny is an American hero that inspired people to be helpful. One year while introducing Johnny Appleseed to the class, one of my brightest, most observant, and wittiest students and I had the following conversation:Me: "What do you think life was like for Johnny? How do you think it was different back when Johnny was alive?"
Student:"Well, there was not as much color."
Me: "What do you mean?"
Student: "You know, like everything was just gray."
Me: "I think Johnny still had sunny days."
Student: "No, no, no, like EVERYTHING was gray, not just the sky."
Then I knew what he was getting at. I told him that, in fact, there WAS color in the past. The cameras used to capture old pictures just were not able to make color like the cameras we have today. The trees were still green, the sky was still blue, and people still had different color hair and skin, the cameras just weren't able to show that until technology advanced. His eyes got big and he said "OHHHHHHHHHHH!" and as I looked around I saw light bulbs go off all around the classroom as many other kids realized the truth about black and white pictures. Sometimes you have no idea what misconceptions these kids are bringing with them, and THAT is when the BEST teaching happens, and why I absolutely LOVE teaching a young grade.
What is your favorite lesson to teach?
It is not one specific lesson, but I LOVE Jan Brett week. We spend a full week engulfed in an author study and I watch authentic learning happen every single time. Jan travels all around the world to gain inspiration for her stories, so we research the places Jan travels and learn all about the types of animals she finds to be characters in her books. During this week I can really see students using comprehension strategies as they make natural connections between themselves, and the books that Jan writes. Every year I hear students having conversations with each other about the themes we are covering during the week, and that's when you know they have really learned something.
Jan Brett writes a lot of stories about a curious hedgehog named Hedgie. One of Kimmie's students had a pet hedgehog and brought him to show the class last year. Real world experiences for the win!
What inspires you? What is your strong?
The people in my life inspire me. From my colleagues who push me to be a better teacher by brainstorming with me and helping my creativity thrive, to my students who are always eager to come to school and spend the day with their friends learning. Not to mention my amazing fiance who puts up with my crazy antics and supports my dedication to my craft, even if it means less attention for him! Haha! I cannot let anyone down because they never let me down!
What is your favorite Techy Tool?
She and her teammate, Jenna wrote a grant to get more iPads in the classroom. I have seen the kids working together using EPIC! during stations and it is magical.
What is your favorite Caffeinated Beverage?
Skinny Vanilla Latte for the mornings I need a little extra get-up-and-go-ness.What is your favorite school celebration?
I live for the theme weeks! Red Ribbon Week, Friendship Week, College Week, I love putting my buzzing brain to work figuring out how to participate!
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
CRAFT! I love using my silhouette machine to make fun shirts, and I also love repurposing folder and making pallet decor.
Just look at some of the cute stuff she has made!
Tell us your best classroom management trick.
Talking to the students like they are real people! If they are getting out of control or a little extra silly, I always just distract them with a story or say "Hey dude quit" and they respond. Sometimes I don't need fancy tricks and jingly calls -just a relationship with my kids I suppose!
Favorite teacher you've ever had?
My second grade teacher! Ms. Ketchum. She was a first-year teacher with great excitement for teaching and she made all of us feel like we were cared about. She inspired me to make others feel that way too, and that feeling stayed with me through all of these years!Favorite children's author?
This student interview is one I was really looking forward to. Ms. Stephens has no shortage of characters in her classroom. She is so real with her students, so I knew they would have some very entertaining answers. Meet Lily and Noah. Not only were they VERY excited to be interviewed, they were very honest.
1. How old is your teacher?
L-24 or 23?
N- 25
2. What does your teacher do for fun?
L- Fun crafts. Like she sits around and makes a bunch of snowmen.
N- Uhh...Make Musical.lys with you?
Well, they are both right on this one!
Well, they are both right on this one!
3. What would your teacher do with $1,000,000?
L- Save some of it and buy coffee and soda with the rest.
N- Buy a mansion and a Corvette.
4. If your teacher wasn't a teacher, what would she be?
L- An Art Teacher
N- A Weather Person
Or maybe a firefighter?
5. If your teacher was a fruit, which one would she be?
L- A red berry. (I tried to clarify by asking if she meant strawberries or raspberries and boy did I have it wrong) No, Ms. Bulino. You know, like blackberries. Berries that are black. I am talking about berries that are red. She would be the red ones because they are the sweetest ones and people like her.
N- A Banana because she is so sweet, but also a little bananas.
6. What scares your teacher?
L- Mean people. And also, people who have dinosaurs for pets.
N- Bears.
7. What is something your teacher doesn't like?
L- When kids steal her glue sticks. Because you know, some kids have four glue sticks and I only have zero glue sticks. Hmmm...I am thinking this is something Lily doesn't like. Don't worry girl, we will get you some new glue sticks.
N- When kids are acting so bad.
8. If your teacher could teleport, where would she go?
L- To the moon and she would bring me with her.
N- She would go to Africa to see the awesome animals. Just like Jan Brett.
9. What makes your teacher so special?
L- She is like a sister to me, but smarter. Also, she gives us play time with learning tools.
N- She is really nice and super funny. I love her!
I hope you enjoyed their answers as much as I did. Major bonus points for creativity for these two kiddos. Have a Terrific Tuesday, we're out!
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