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Top Ten Reasons I Became a Teacher

Linking up with Terry's Teaching Tidbits  for Top 10 Reasons I Became a Teacher


10. Make a difference before there was a problem
In college,  I majored in political science, sociology, and international studies with the aim of becoming an international attorney (whatever that is). I really was focusing on it because it sounded good and from a young age, people told me I was smart, so therefore,  I should be a lawyer. I was working in Chicago on an internship was struck by how all the work I was doing was focused on helping people after the fact. They were already in trouble by the time I could help them. Even though that is important, I really didn't derive a lot of joy from arguing and helping people after the fact. I really wanted to make sure they had great lives and avoided legal issues all together.

9. I had a way to become a teacher
My junior year of college, I learned about Teach for America. I was intrigued because it provided an alternative route to become a teacher. Without this program, I don't believe I would have come into teaching at the elementary level. At the time, I had an offer to pursue a sociology PhD program. I might have gone on to teach at a university, but not elementary, which is my jam :)

8. Give me real life experience
I was torn between the PhD program and Teach For America. I honestly didn't feel comfortable writing and researching society when I hadn't even paid any rent, and had come from a comfortable lifestyle. I knew I needed more life experience and nothing is more real than teaching.

7. To be a mentor/role model
Growing up, I was always felt a desire to help my people. It always bothered me to read statistics about Black people and see they were always at the bottom of all statistics and measures. I came from a two parent home with college educated parents who enjoyed reading and having discussions. I had

6. Join a network of teachers
I really appreciated joining Teach for America because of the network and support I would receive during the training. I was placed in the Mississippi Delta region, where schools are very far between and it was nice to be able to feel like a part of a bigger network, with a lot of resources to help support me in being a teacher.

5. I come from a family of teachers
My grandmother was a teacher in Manning, S.C. I was always proud of being her granddaughter and of her accomplishments. She received her Masters in Education back in the 1950s and was the assistant principal in her school. I just loved her so much and loved going to her house. Her sisters were teachers as well and Aunt Debbie, my mother's sister, is a first grade teacher in North Carolina. Guess teaching and education is in my blood :)

4. I love learning
I have always loved learning. In elementary school, instead of playing outside like a normal kid, I would go to the librarian and help her put the books back on the shelves. When I finished, I would read books under the tables. I just plain love school. Teaching is like being in school forever, but much more fun.

3. I love teaching others
I was always helping others to learn or work on products. I tutored elementary students while I was in high school and mentored a group of girls through my sorority. I love seeing the light bulb go on and knowing that I made a difference in someone's life.

2. To make fun and creative activities
I love creating things! Cute things! I love the creativity that teaching brings. I get so much joy and enthusiasm from the material, lessons, and the kids. Creating and helping others learn is my happy place :)

1. The kids
I love their faces, their hugs, and their spirits. They just make me happy!

Why did you become a teacher?


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#TPTVEGAS2015

FINALLY BACK! 

I have been so busy this summer between my summer job, the TPT conference, and the wedding planning. I had to take a break from blogging. I literally did not have the time or energy to keep up with my posting schedule. The funny thing is, when I went to Vegas, one of my followers noticed I hadn't written anything in a while and I was really floored by that. I know the purpose of this blog is to help teachers by keeping knowledge mobile so their lives will be easier. It was really affirming to know that people read my blog and the information I want to share.

So exactly a week ago, I was in Las Vegas for the first time in my life with my honey. It was his first trip too. We left Papaya in Atlanta with grandmommy and left Wednesday night. The crazy thing about that day was that I had a full day of work beforehand. I had observations, a session to present, and a final debrief of my performance over the summer. I then had to go home, finish packing, and leave before 5:30 to get to the airport on time. Needless to say, it was a whirlwind. 


Day 1:


Registration
I was nervous that I was going to the conference by myself. Honey was there, but he was wandering up and down the strip while I was in sessions. I knew a few people from the Nashville Blogger Meet Up but I wasn't sure who was going to be there.

Well, deep breath! I went and picked up my badge and loved how they included my store log on the badge. 


At the registration desk, we got lovely TPT swag. 
I loved the mug even though I don't (gasp) drink coffee. I think it will make a nice pencil/pen holder for my new office. I really loved the journal. I have lots of ideas and master plans to place inside of that journal :)

There was also this giant board of different information and activities that we could do. 
After the registration desk, there were several meetups and man, they were LOUD! It really was overwhelming


Below is the table of business cards that everyone brought to exchange. Mine we super simple. but I took a couple of cute and eye-catching ones to see if it wouldn't help my design for next year. 


The Welcome Session

Everything kicked off with a speech from Adam Freed, the CEO of TPT, and he shared the key points of the conference and had us set personal goals for the conference. 

My Personal Goals
  • Learn strategies to improve
    • My store
    • My blog
    • My creations
    • My content
The whole purpose of going was to stretch myself and my skills. Adam brought up so many good points on the importance of data and surveys and how to think about the needs of teachers. It really made me think about how I would support teachers this coming year and what would be the result of those relationships. I am planning to create a survey sheet for their needs, how they want to be supported, and their personal goals for the year. I truly love helping teachers and this was a clear way to do so. 

One of the fun elements of the opening is that we (the audience) got to choose the title for Amy. 

She is know the Director of Seller Happiness, and I couldn't agree more. I love going on the forums and learning, and she is always there to regulate and share pertinent knowledge with all of us. I couldn't think of a better title :)

Session 1: Master the Inner Game of TPT - Laura Candler

I was so glad that I had started with this session. This session was rooted in mindset and the power of the Law of Attraction. I have read about the Law of Attraction before and have applied some of the principles to my life, but it was so wonderful to start the conference off on this note. I was able to focus on what I needed and the steps I would have to take to get there. Laura Candler shared many of the books and resources she applies in her own life. 


During the session, she shared how important the thoughts we have in the outcomes we are working towards. We talked about the definition of success, how to avoid the comparison trap (a very real issue for me), limiting beliefs, and how to ask questions that will drive your business forward. I really appreciated her insight and perspective of the thinking that make you successful.

Session 2: Collaboration Panel

I really enjoyed the collaboration panel for all the tips about working with others. TPT'ing can be very isolating and lonely so I am always looking for opportunities to work with other people.
Below are some of the tips:

  • ask buyers to share photos
  • set time frames for collaboration and set an out for yourself
  • pin two months before the holiday
  • pin on Sunday mornings
This session was super practical and encouraged sellers to work together and the idea of coopetition, which means cooperate and competition. Instead of just worrying about yourself, how are you working with others to help more teachers and provide more solutions. It really embodied the conference's theme of come together, go further. 
Cards for all that future collaboration!
Session 3: Advanced Marketing

All hail the pin and it's ability to change people's lives. lol. I learned a lot about how to structure and market for sellers usage. I even got up the courage to ask a question about watermarking. I have been adding my own watermarks by hand so I wanted to know if there was a real way to place the image on the pictures without me doing each one on my computer. I learned that the IWatermark app is know for android so I went ahead for the download :). It cost 1.99 but it was well worth it. 

The panelists were funny and approachable. They talked about starting email lists, finding your tribe and your group of buyers, and the importance of joining a mastermind group, which is a SMALL committed group who come together to support each other in their journeys. I am planning to start my own local mastermind group later in August, so I am excited for that!


Day 2:


Session 1: Fix Your Brand and Take Your Store to the Next Level

This panel was so funny! The Science Penguin, Teaching with a Mountain View, and Blair Turner were hilarious and so real. One of the most insightful things I learned was to think about those who enjoy my creations and what else they might enjoy. Blair outlined her customer and found that it was her. She started thinking about what other things/projects they might like to take on as well and it was super insightful.


Session 2: Did I Really Just Sell THAT? Improving our products with a critical eye. 

The highlight of the day was meeting Deanna Jump. 
She is so tiny! She was so warm and funny too!

My mother first told me about TPT back in 2012 when I was still in the classroom. I opened a store and listed my first products in 2013, but didn't fully start selling until August 2014, after the birth of my daughter. I was on maternity leave, going a bit stir crazy, and had a huge project to finish at work before the school year started. I listed my first Fry Words activities and haven't look back. Just like everyone else, I just wish I had started sooner, or rather, took the courage and made the leap. Deanna's story for me, like so many others, was the first step.

I loved her session with Deedee Willis. It made me think of some of my first creations and updates that would be needed to best support teachers.

Session 3: Love the Customer: Community, Products, and Brand with Created for Learning

This session really focused on the consumer and ensuring they have an experience with you. It was about being super responsive to them and their needs through your replies, interactions, and reactions to negative feedback. They too focused on the need for tribes. I felt it was the first session I had attended that truly focused on the customer, rather than the products or marketing. They gave very specific tips for interacting with customers and answering their questions.

Session 4: From Teacher to Teacherpreneur with Erin Cobb from Lovin' Lit

Amazing session! I really appreciated everything she had to say about managing your time and the approaches you have to take to be successful. I loved her method for organizing and scheduling her work time, the importance of a proper desk, and not letting distractions stop you from creating. While other sessions talked about the importance of marketing, her session really reinforced the importance of creating with specific goals and deadlines for yourself.

The best part was this lovely planner and resources she has for helping us to get organized and focused. It is really helping to keep TPT separate and for me to create more of a balance of TPT. Instead of procrastinating for 5 hours every night, trying to get something done, I block of times to work. I have been going to the local library and just working for 3 hours. That way, when I get home, I can just focus on my family and not feel the tension of when am I going to create. 

This was such a great session to end with! From starting with mindset and the Law of Attraction from Laura Candler to having this concrete resource from Erin Cobb, I truly felt and continue to feel blessed by all of this opportunity. I can feel big things in motion my life propelling me towards my purpose.

Food recommendations:


1. Fiamma inside of MGM


I loved the lasagna bolgonese and my honey loved his chicken and mushrooms. I knew this place was super swank because the drink menu was an actual iPad. That was my first time seeing that so I was super impressed. The regular menu was also so luxurious, it almost looked and felt like a purse I have in the closet. It was super packed because of the UFC fight that night. It was cool to see the fighters and the crowd, so it was a great night.

2. I Heart Burgers

Best burger I ever had (and it wasn't even mine!).

The burgers are a bit pricey ($20) each. I ordered sliders with quail eggs and my honey ordered the BBQ burger.


OMGoodness!!! That BBQ burger is one of the best things I ever ate. It was so good!

3. The Chandelier in the Cosmopolitan 

So pretty! I had my first Cosmo there and it was delicious. I really loved the ambiance and feel of the venue. Would definitely go back.

4. Daiquiri Shop by the Paris Hotel

Loved it and the $6 refills if you kept the cup. You may feel stupid carrying an empty cup all over Vegas, but the Coral Crush was worth it :).

Overall Reflection:


I really loved the conference. Even though I haven't been on TPT long, I really love this community and the opportunity it represents in the world. I met so many people that I had interacted with online and it was so nice to get to know them in person.


While it totally wiped out my earnings, it was essential to my development and my creation process. I learned a lot about myself, business, networking, and innovation. I loved it and can't wait to go back!




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