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The Fat Cat
The first story I ever wrote was called "The Fat Cat" and I was in first grade. It was about a fat gray cat that went to the candy shop and ate so much candy that it exploded. It was a page long and I even had an illustration to go with it. This is significant since it was the first of many stories that I wrote as a child and my love for writing began here when I realized that I can put my own thoughts on paper. As a side note, I now have a fat gray cat who is about 12 years old. -
James and The Giant Peach
My fourth grade teacher was a huge reason why I became a teacher. One of my favorite memories was when she read "James and the Giant Peach" to us. Not only was this book enjoyable to hear, but it was how Ms. Kotzen made this book come alive. She used different voices for the characters and I was mesmerized by her storytelling abilities.I always think of her when I am reading aloud. "James and the Giant Peach" was one of the first books that I bought my son in honor of her. -
My Book for My Mom-Mom
When my Mom-Mom was in hospice care, I wanted to make her smile. She was my biggest supportor and listened to me read all my stories. I made her a book about a mom who was scatterbrained and never remembered anything! It was from the perspective of her daughter and in the end the daughter learns to love her mom unconditionally. I worked so hard on this book and when my mom-mom passed away, I made sure she was buried with it because that book really was a piece of me. -
My Bat Mitzvah
This was a very important literacy experience in my life. I had to read from the Torah, as well as conduct a traditional Jewish service in front of a large audience at the awkward age of 13. After years of learning to read and write Hebrew, it was a proud moment to be able to become a Bat Mitzvah in front of family and friends. This is a rite of passage that is very significant in the Jewish religion. -
10th Grade Geometry with Mrs. Ziminiski
Geometry is a subject in school that I will never forget. I hated everything about it. I hated the proofs and theorems and everything else that I can't remember. I especially hated the way the teacher taught. I couldn't connect with her. I met with her before school and after school, asked for additional assignments. But nothing mattered! I just never was going to understand her way of teaching a challenging subject. Geometry was my first and only C throughout high school. -
Read Across America
This literacy experience was the defining moment when I knew that I was going to teach. I volunteered to read a Dr. Seuss book to fourth graders when I was in high school. I still remember everything about that hour. It felt natural to me; asking them questions, answering their questions, using silly voices. The next week, I was given an envelope with 20 thank you letters from each of the students in that class. I still have their letters. It's because of them that I am a teacher. -
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Crisis Hotline Volunteer
I volunteered for a crisis hotline for a year. It taught me how to be an active listener and help people in need. I had to communicate effectively with a variety of people, including people with mental illnesses. I had to problem solve quickly to figure out the best course of action for people who called into the hotline. I didn't enjoy doing this, but I am proud of myself for completing the required amount of time,and I learned skills that are invaluable when dealing with people. -
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Changing School Policy
Before I became a teacher, I worked with high school students and our mission was to create tobacco-free schools across New Jersey by having cessation programs available to students. I worked with my students to actually change their school policy by working with stakeholders, and setting up meetings with school administrators, and working from a grassroots approach. I can proudly say that because of our efforts, one school changed their policy. It was a proud moment for us. -
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Writing Workshop
When I co-taught in a first grade classroom in Philadelphia, we had 33 children in our classroom with many challenging behaviors. When the principal said that he wanted to see Writer's Workshop in each classroom, I took the initiative. By the end of the year, my students were making individual books, class books,conferencing, peer-editing, sharing their work to the class, and taking ownership of their writing. I loved the energy. This was the first time I actually felt like a teacher. -
Mommy's Little Manatee
My last literacy experience brings us full circle with my son's first story that he ever wrote. He and I wrote this together and it is very emotional as a mom and a teacher to see him already developing a love of literacy. Writing this story with him and having this shared literacy experience is truly meaningful to me and I hope his enthusiasm for reading and writing that I also had as a child will continue to grow as he gets older.
