We are joining in on the fun today with a whole crew of other teacher bloggers over at Blog Hoppin’. Since two of us run this site, we figured we’d split the post: 5 things about Nicolette and 5 things about Karen.
First, here’s Nicolette:
1.) Every year in the classroom, I’ve never taught the same grade or subject twice! Which in hindsight, was exhausting! Reinventing the wheel each year is tough! I’ve spent years in junior high, first grade, second grade, third grade, then K-8 art, then 4 year old preschool. For a few years after my children were born, I ran a tutoring business for kids with special needs. Which foreshadowed a big change in my life to follow.
2.) My oldest son Moose has autism. The past three years have been a whirlwind of doctor’s visits, therapy waiting rooms, and fighting insurance. But our journey has given me such a different perspective on life, health, my goals, and special needs in general.
3.) I’ve been gluten-free for 3 years and have never felt better. I had migraines for over 20 years, and all that time it was the bread and pasta! I’m Italian after all living in the heart of Chicago…gluten is a three time a day thing around these parts. If you want to know more about our gluten-free lifestyle, I run another blog in addition to this here site with Karen.
4.)That blog is called momnivore’s dilemma: which is a blog about special needs parenting, health, with a side of creativity. Yes, it’s crazy to run two sites, but it’s how I spend my “free time”. Some people watch television, I blog. I love blogging, Photoshop, drawing, writing, reading…so these two sites are my passions. I get to write and share everything I love. It is a great escape from the stress of every day!
5.) I’m 4’11. But I lie and tell everyone I’m 5 feet. I still shop in kids’ sections on occasion, and I’m 33. I still get carded. I love that.
bonus: my favorite part of this whole teaching blogging thing is making the clip art. I taught art for a year, and my original major was advertising, so images and drawing are something I always did recreationally anyway. Now, to see teachers and other creatives using my art is so fulfilling!
Now…onto Karen!
Hi I’m Karen!
1.) I draw, I paint, I throw on the wheel and that is what I taught for ten years. My passion has always been expressing ideas visually. Sure enough a lot of kids dig it. Good thing for me, or I would have been out of a job.
Two kids later, I had to rethink how I was going to spread my passion. I met Nicolette and we teamed up to invent The Classroom Creative. Every teachers’ dream resource blog (hey- I have to put a plug in somewhere).
2.) As a mom I encourage my children to explore nature and frog statues.
3.) I make my dog Stan perform tricks. He is a short haired German Pointer that we rescued. I am his favorite person in the whole wide world. It has nothing to do with the fact that I feed him.
4.) I dream about running my hands through Robin Thicke’s hair. He is also funny, good looking, and teams up with others (Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel) to create out of the box renditions of his song. Check out what he did with classroom instruments, teachers!
5.) A couple of days ago my husband came home with an eight by six foot sheet of cork board. He gets me, he really gets me. If you want to see what it looks like follow me on Instagram
6.) Recently I did the Breast Cancer Mud Run with my sisters-in-law. It was a ton of fun, even if I did get mud in my teeth. I am all about supporting a good cause. One of my lifelong goals is to get the chance to organize and raise money to help support art and music programs at schools.
7.) Oops I was only suppose to write 5 things about myself. I guess I had more than I thought to say or I just can’t follow instructions.
Anyone have a student like that? Let us know in the comments!
Now that you’ve fallen in love with us- stay connected with us.
Nice to meet you all,
Nicolette & Karen
Hi Nicolette! Thanks for your comments on my blog – it sounds like we have TONS in common! And Karen we seem to share a liking for painting and Thicke hair, and I suppose you could throw ‘running for a good cause’ in too (although most of the time I’m making excuses NOT to run!)
Love this blog design, ladies!
Susanna