Hello to all of my students and their families!! I am excited to begin a new school year with you all! The 2014-2015 school year will mark my 7th year of teaching 2nd grade at Oakland. My passion for learning and helping children achieve to their full potential is one that began many, many years ago when I was just a child myself. My sister and I would play school for hours on end as I would teach away to my imaginary class. That dream was planted in my heart a long time ago and it has truly been so special to me as I have seen it come true.
I hope this year will be the best year for each of you. It is my goal to help each child become the BEST person that he/she can possibly be. This includes academics as well as all life skills, such as being a good friend, a responsible citizen, and any role that your child has at home. Our two rules of being respectful and being responsible should follow your child outside of the classroom and into the ever-changing world they live in.
Why is our class blog about lemonade??
Starting the first week of school when we are all getting to know each other, I will share one of my favorite parts of the school day. This is our "Strawberries and Lemons" reflection time. Strawberries are sweet and oh so yummy, so the "Strawberries" will be the best parts of our day. Lemons are sour and do a good job of making us pucker our lips, so the "Lemons" will be the not so great part of our day. It is good to reflect on good and bad things from our day. It is a great way for me to see what engaged your child the most and maybe also target why a certain part of the day was a "Lemon". I am also going to teach them how to make some "Lemonade" even when there are some "Lemons" that come along. Just add some sugar and water, stir it up and "wah-lah" you have some sweet Lemonade.
P.S. Strawberry Lemonade is my FAVORITE...it is even sweeter!! :):)
Who is Mrs. Allen?!?
I am 29 years old and a native of Spartanburg, SC. I’m proud to be a BULLDOG!:) I graduated from BSHS in 2002 and went on to pursue my life-long dream of becoming a teacher. From the time I was a little girl I dreamed of teaching. Some of my fondest memories are playing school. I would spend hours passing out papers and writing on my chalkboard teaching away to my invisible students. I graduated from USC Upstate in December 2007 with my Early Childhood Education Degree. I began substituting and ended up coming to Oakland to complete a long-term substituting position in 2nd grade. That opportunity opened the door to getting offered a position that I have dreamed of my whole life!
A year after I started teaching, I got engaged to my best friend, Nick. We got married a year later on June 5, 2010. A month after we were married we adopted our dog-son, Jonah, who is the love of our lives. :)
When he was a puppy...soo cute!!:) (July 2010)
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Ready for Thanksgiving in his sweater:) (November 2013)
Taking a break from the snow at Beech Mountain:) (January 2014)
Jonah is going to be a "big brother" to our baby Lillian Mae who is due October 10, 2014. We are so excited about what's ahead for us and we can't wait to meet her soon!!:)
Ultrasound picture from July 17th.:)
Some of my favorite things to do outside of school are: going to church and growing in the Lord, traveling, reading a good book, shopping with friends, and attempting to cook some yummy meals! I absolutely love time spent with family and friends and I cherish each memory made! Here are some of my other favorite things:
Some of my favorite things to do outside of school are: going to church and growing in the Lord, traveling, reading a good book, shopping with friends, and attempting to cook some yummy meals! I absolutely love time spent with family and friends and I cherish each memory made! Here are some of my other favorite things:
Color: Green…or yellow…
Music: Christian and Country
T.V. Show: I don’t really watch T.V that often...I'd rather read a good book:)Music: Christian and Country
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Food: Chicken, Fish, Baked Spaghetti, Salad with Strawberries and Feta Cheese, Chocolate Cake, Oreo Ice Cream, Kit-Kats, the list could go on and on…:):)Restaurants: Olive Garden, P.F Changs, The Peddler, LongHorn...just about anything:)
Sports/Teams: Football...Georgia Bulldogs...Go Dawgs!!
Hobbies: Traveling, reading, shopping, helping out at our church, being outside, spending time with family and friends, and pretty much just enjoying life:):)
Puerto Rico then our cruise (Summer 2013)
Christmas and New Years in Australia (December 2013-January 2014)
What have you been doing all summer, Mrs. Allen?
Last summer I got the privilege to be apart of our District's Summer Learning Academy, which was an incredible experience. This summer I decided to just spend some time resting and relaxing. :)
My husband, Nick has to travel a good bit with work, so I was able to go with him on some of his trips since I was on summer break. My mom and I went with him to Jekyll Island for a conference. It was a fun little vacay.:)
Mom and I saw a dolphin swimming not far from the shore:)
Look at the sunset:) This was our view one night from a restaurant we ate dinner at. God's masterpiece is incredible!!:)
My mom and I before dinner:)
I loved seeing these to protect the sea turtles!!:)
Me, Lillian, and Mom:)
Nick and I also enjoyed several weekends at Lake Hartwell.:)
Family Photo at sunset:)
When I have been home this summer, I have been working on getting Lillian's nursery ready. My goal is to have it finished before school starts back. Only a few weeks left!!:)
A glider/chair, pillow, table, and bird cage that we bought for her nursery:)
Another bird cage and a few other trinkets:)
Nick and I also flew to Aruba for our 'babymoon'. This marks the last trip for just us before we are 'officially parents'. :)
We are finishing our summer vacations this week (July 26-August 2) with our yearly Kiawah Island trip with Nick's dad, stepmom, his brother Jacob, his girlfriend Emily, his brother Josh, and my sister-in-law, Kelly. So far we've had a blast relaxing on the beach and bike riding around the island. :)
When do I get to meet you??
On Wednesday, August 13th from 1:00-6:00 you get to come see your new classroom and I get to see your big smile for the very first time as a SECOND GRADER!!:) Please, bring your school supplies if you have already gotten them. This will make it a lot easier on both of us on the first day of school.
First Assignment...
Now that you have gotten to know a little bit about me, I would like for you to reply to this post and tell me what you have been up to this summer. I can't wait to hear about all of the unforgettable memories that you have been making this summer!
Enjoy your last days of sweet summer vacation and I will be looking forward to meeting you on August 13th!
