Meet the Teacher {Linky}

As the summer winds down and my focus turns back to school, I can’t help but find myself searching through all of my favorite teacher blogs, looking for last minute ideas. I often wonder who the teachers behind these genius tricks and tips are. So, when I saw that Stephanie Stewart from Falling Into First was hosting a Meet the Teacher Blogger Linky, I couldn’t pass it up. Sit back, relax, take a break from all of those pins you think you’re going to have time to recreate, and meet some fabulous teachers! 

HELLO! My name is Tanya. I'm a 32 year old wife, mother, teacher, designer, and blogger (okay, seriously, I’ve been pretty terrible at the blogger part, but I’m working on it – promise)!

This will be my 7^th year teaching. Oh my goodness! I can't even believe that. Seriously, has it been that long already? 

Anyway...I was born and raised in a tiny town with a BIG sense of community kind of place in good old Wisconsin. But as soon as I graduated from college, my hubby, Lucas, and I (not married at the time) high-tailed it out of here and moved to Atlanta, GA! We needed a change of pace and a few warmer winters and boy did the South deliver! In the two years (yes, two blissful, but short years) we made so many amazing friends,  ATE our way around the city (amazing restaurants in and around Atlanta), and made a zillion memories that I will forever cherish.  I taught fifth grade in Powder Springs, just west of the city. I loved my job and learned SO much in those first two years. I had the privilege of working with some amazingly talented and passionate educators. Life was good. But, it didn't take us long to realize that living closer to our families was more important. So, we moved back to WI, about four hours away from home so Lucas could go back to school. I taught fifth grade for three more years before we moved again, this time back to our home town. I now teach 2nd grade in the district where we spent our K-12 school years. many of my colleagues were my elementary teachers! In fact, my 2nd Grade teammate was my fifth grade teacher! It's crazy ya'll! But in a very good way. I cannot complain. Things have definitely come full circle and now we are starting to build a house in the country where we plan to stay forever and continue to enjoy this wonder life we've got going. Alright, enough of all that. On to some photos.... 
 

Memory Lane...

My husband, Lucas, and I went to school together, although he was a grade older. We were never very close back then, but reconnected as I was finishing up my 6th and last year of college. I seriously have no idea why we had never talked before that...we are meant to be! We dated for six years and will be married for three at the end of August! I can not articulate how much I am in love with this man.

Here I am way back in 2006, prepping for my FIRST year as a teacher! Thank goodness my organizational skills have improved since then!

This is me and my two FAVORITE men – my husband, Lucas, and my son, Jack, at my brother's wedding last October (right around hunting season in Wisconsin, hence the beginning of a 6-month beard on my hubby). I actually use this as my TpT store photo - did you recognize it?  Yup, I just cropped those two right out of the picture, but every time I look at it I still know they’re there! ;)

 

What I’ve been up to this summer…

Most of my summer was spent PLAYING with my son!

(Right: At our community carnival just the other weekend, Middle: Jack's first time fishing - during a family reunion camping trip, Left: Water fun in the backyard)

 

We have made many trips to "The Land" this summer, as my son refers to it. We're building a house this fall, which will be our FIRST and last time as homeowners! My husband has already spent MANY hours bulldozing, stumping, and moving dirt - a boy's dream!

As my husband preps the land for our house, I’ve been spending a lot of time prepping my classroom for the new school year. Okay, that's a total lie! Truth is, I've been in twice. These photos are from last year, but my classroom is almost set up and looks very similar to these photos. I'll post updates next week. ;)
 

 

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

(not in any particular order, of course)

• spending time at the family cabin
• snuggling with my almost 3 year old son
• reading and learning about spirituality and positivity
• Clip Art, clip art and more clip art!
• Pure Leaf Raspberry Tea
• Coffee with natural creamer
• Fresh stacks of clean, white paper
• Any dress or top from Filly Flair (makes up half my back-to-school wardrobe)
• Paparazzi Jewelry (cheap & cute)
• Colorful Felt Tip Pens
• Aztec prints
• Homemade Guacamole with Rold Gold Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Chips

The list goes on…

 

IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE? A Graphic Designer. Creating digital clip art has become such a huge creative outlet for me. I’ve taught myself how to create clip art from reading and watching tutorials online, but I would LOVE to take classes. Maybe in another life…

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Creative. Passionate. Determined. 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

I love spending my own money on classroom supplies! :)

 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

My Grandpa. He used to come to EVERY birthday party and I miss him SO much. I have so many amazing memories with that man and I would have loved for him to have meet my son.

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

Perseverance, Passion and Cheesy Potatoes.

Hmm...will have to write a blog post on that one someday!

 

Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

 Teleportation. BAM!

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

“Do it with passion or not at all.” - unknown

    

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I actually auditioned for American Idol and sang “Me and Bobby McGee”. I didn’t make it through, so with that thought I pick... "Crazy", by Patsy Cline. It was my backup plan song! ;)

 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

I am a night own in the summertime. In fact, it's 12:36 a.m. and here I am! I can be so productive at night when the boys are sleeping and it's nice to have some me time. However, during the school year I force myself to go to bed early and coffee is my ONLY hope for a good morning. 

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

I really love my line of Planners & Organizer Binders. It’s hard to pick a favorite design, but I’m really proud that I finished my Ink-Friendly version this summer. So far, it’s been a big hit!

 

 

I do love my original (Best Selling) Chalkboard & Brights. It made it's way to the top 100 Best Sellers list and has been inching it's way up for the past 3 weeks! 

 

 

 

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I am a CHEESEHEAD! I cheer for the Green Bay Packers and can’t wait for Football season to officially start! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure Jack was just resting his eyes during half-time here! ;) >>>>> 

 

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I hope you enjoyed learning more about me :)  To meet more fabulous teacher bloggers, and to link up yourself, click on the button below!

Back to School & Staying Organized

I've been bitten!...by the back to school bug, that is. You don't have to look at a calendar to know that it's already August. Just check out any social media sight and you'll instantly feel the Back to School Buzz! Teachers are prepping, planning, pinning and purchasing. Parents and students are shopping for supplies and everyone is trying to soak up as much freedom and summertime as they can before they head back. Here, in Wisconsin, we have one month left. However, there are many schools that are already back in session. Crazy!

To help out, the amazing folks at Teachers Pay Teachers are hosting their annual Back to School Sale August 4th and 5th and you better believe I am participating. My store is prepped and set to discount ALL of my products by 20%. As always, TpT is throwing in an additional % off with the promo code: BTS14 for a total of 28% off.

As a seller, I feel quite prepared. As a buyer, well...that's an entirely different story! My wishlist is full and my shopping cart is OVERFLOWING! Seriously, it's quite ridiculous! I really don't know how I'm going to narrow down my purchases and trust me - I have to! As much as I love supporting my fellow sellers, I also need to afford the house my husband and I are currently building. No worries though, I'll be dishing out the cha chings with the best of them!

I really hope you take a second to stop by my store. I'm sure your wishlist can't possibly be as long as mine! ;) If not, I have to tell you about my best selling item which is a Planner/Organizer Binder in Chalkboard & Brights. I have other designs, including a more ink-friendly version that includes 105 cover choices with matching binder spines. It's just that my Chalkboard & Brights was on the top 100 best selling products list for the past two weeks, so I've got lots of love in that one. My line of planners are packed full of organizational tools, lists, forms, calendars, lesson planning pages, CCSS for grades K-8, Special Education and intervention resources, and much more! They are also editable and you receive free updates every year. Who am I kidding, since I first posted this product, I've added over 100 pages. What can I say, I can't say no to customer requests!

 

 

Happy shopping!!!

is in love with Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors

I am in love with music. It is my meditation. I love everything about it. I love how it can play with my emotions and relieve me of my constant need for control. It’s like I get to take a break from everything that is crazy or chaotic and just get lost in something beautiful, or peaceful, or energizing, or whatever it is I need as an escape. I love how it can pull me out of a dark place, instantly put a smile of my face, make me cry for no reason, make me cry for a loved one, take me to an exact moment of my past, give me motivation and energy or calm me down.

I also love the fact that my husband shares this passion with me. I will admit, however, while I enjoy music, he tends to be a little obsessive about it. He can name that tune, finish that song, recall the year of that album was released, you name it, he probably owns it.

When asked the question, "What is your favorite song?", my go-to answer has always been  "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison, however, my musical tastes are constantly changing. In fact, as of recently, my favorite group/singer duo has been Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. Talk about love at first listen!!!

A few months ago I was searching online for the song "Live Forever" by Billy Jo Shaver and accidently opened up a song with the same title. I realized right away it wasn't what I was looking for, but I ended up listening and about 3 more songs later, I was completely hooked. Pure talent and love with this couple. Have a listen to my favorite (for the moment) of their songs, "Someday" here. Enjoy!

Their official website:
Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors

The Day After Christmas

I just read this ADORABLE, little book, "'Twas the Day After Christmas" with my two-year old, which he received as a gift from his uncle & auntie (my brother & sister-in-law) yesterday. Of course, I just had to share the excitement and joy I the experience.

The story starts out, 'Twas the day after Christmas (note the date of this post - how appropriate, right?) and all through the house, every creature was stirring..."What's going on?" said a mouse! You get to interact by lifting flaps throughout the book to help this worried little mouse figure out how to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year round. ...So stinkin' cute!!!

But wait! That wasn't even the best part! When we were done reading the story, my son turned to me and said, "Mumma, that is just like "Kissmas" time and Mumma and me clean it ALL up!" (which we've been slowly doing today).

The teacher in me was SO excited to hear him making text-to-self connections for the first time, I almost cried!!! I know any teacher will completely understand that.

is participating in the Cyber Sale on TpT!

Who doesn't love a sale, especially if it makes our lives as teachers a little easier during the busy holiday season (and beyond)!  Teachers Pay Teachers is having their annual Cyber Monday and Tuesday Sale... all you need to do is shop and enter the code CYBER at checkout to get some great deals!  Many sellers (including my store, Tanya Rae Designs) are offering 20% off on those days. By entering the code, you will receive a total of 28% off your entire purchase! Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!!!

 

is gearing up for the big Back to School Sale on TpT!!

It's here! It's finally here! Any teacher looking for last minute goodies for his or her classroom would be just crazy not to shop the TpT Back to School Sale! As a seller, my ENTIRE store will be 28% off will the coupon code: BTS13. I'm actually running my sale August 18th through the 20th.

As a teacher getting ready to teach a whole new grade level, you can bet I will be shopping on the sale dates. My wish list and cart are OVERFLOWING! If you haven't already done so, be sure to check out all of the amazing products on TpT, especially in my store. ;) I offer clip art, resources for Common Core, and more! Start transferring your wish listed items to your cart, people!

 

on landing a dream job and staying organized this school year.

That's right, I did it! I got the JOB! No more day-to-day sub jobs. No more school hopping. No more INTERVIEWS! I got my dream job!

After my husband and I moved our little family back to our small, home town last June, I was very nervous about getting another full time teaching position. I didn't even know if I wanted to work in my hometown district, which I can't believe I'm even admitting to now. "Maybe it will be strange to teach the children of my old classmates", I thought. "Maybe it would be best to live here, and teach in a neighboring town", I had convinced myself.

Then the school year started and I got my first call to sub in the district. It only took that day to make me realize this is exactly where I want to be. This district, the one where I spent my 13 years as a student, myself, is small, but progressive. It produces amazing teachers and is filled with people who truly care about the education and future of children. The test scores are among the top in Wisconsin. The elementary school, where I will be teaching, is a fairly new building, has up-to-date technology and an AMAING principal and staff! Did I mention the school is only about a mile down the road from where we live? I have died and gone to heaven!

The biggest change is that I will be teaching 2nd Grade, when all of my full-time experience has been at the 5th Grade level. It makes no difference to me, however. I am SO excited to work with this age group and learn to be the best 2nd grade teacher I can be. I just don't know where to begin!!! Well, I know where to begin, but it's really hard to focus when I have so many ideas swarming through my brain. Luckily, I have a few weeks to get my classroom ready and brain prepared.

The first thing I plan to do over the next week, is get my Teacher Planner / Organizer printed and bound into a book. It literally will be my saving grace over the next 9 months. I've used a planner every year that I have taught and I don't know what I would do without it. This year, I updated the planner to include all of the Common Core Standards for each grade level (K - 5). Of course, I will only be putting the 2nd grade version in my planner. I just haven't decided on which theme I will use. As of right now, I have four in my TpT store. I'm also working on a Football themed planner right now. You can check them out by clicking on the cover pages below.

 

 

 

 

Here's to a well-organized school year!