Hello, and happy Sunday! Here in the US, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer and back-to-school season for many teachers and students. We’ve been back at it for about three weeks and I ALMOST feel like I’m back “in the swing” of getting up to an alarm, missing my afternoon nap, and teaching hard all day. September 1 also marks a very important season – in addition to the return to Hogwarts (yes, I’m a Harry Potter FREAK), it’s also the first day of my birthday month! Even though I’ll be 33 in a few short days, I still – to my husband’s amusement – celebrate my birthday during the entire month of September (insert hair-flip here 😀 ) What better way to celebrate my birthday month with some reflection and a giveaway from Teaching with Technology!
For the past few years when my birthday rolls around, basically since I hit the big 3-0, I get a tad reflective. I’m so incredibly thankful for the gift of getting older because so many don’t have the privilege of doing so. At the same time, I’m getting older! I have more gray hair, a stronger coffee addiction (didn’t think that one was possible), and an increasing number of “oh crap” moments as a high school teacher. For example, our library celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter with House themed cupcakes – I’m Ravenclaw of course – and one of my wonderful students brought me one at the beginning of class. As I was daintily eating (let’s be honest, devouring) the cupcake, I told my students that I was in 7th grade when the first book was released and I was immediately a fan. One student, clearly doing some quick mental math said, “Mrs. Petty. You were in 7th grade 20 years ago?” I kindly and skeptically replied, “yes…” Her response, “wow! My parents hadn’t even met each other then!” Thanks, kid. Thanks a lot.
I could go on and on about how teaching high schoolers makes me feel old on a daily basis – try teaching a lesson on the terror attacks of 9/11. I was a sophomore in high school on that day while most of my students weren’t even born. YEESH. But, on to the giveaway and the reason for this post!
I’m beyond grateful for the blessings of this past year and want to share them with you. As we all get “back in the swing” of teacher life, I’d like to share some of my favorite teacher things with you – don’t get too excited, I’m not Oprah so no one is getting a car 😀
To enter this giveaway, follow the directions on the embed below. Enter daily and share this giveaway with your friends! The winner will receive 1 signed copy of Illuminate: Technology Enhanced Learning, 1 $5 Starbucks gift card (have a latte on me!), 1 $5 Amazon gift card, and 1 $5 Target gift card.
Thanks for helping me celebrate my birthday month, and as always, thanks for reading 🙂
Happy Birthday!! Woohooo!! And, don’t feel bad because when 9/11 happened, it was my 2nd year teaching! I have you beat (not sure if that’s a good or bad thing…ha!). Enjoy your birthday month – I celebrate mine all month, too, but in July. ?
Hey!
Thanks so much for reading and for the birthday wishes! Happy birthday a few months late to you!
Happy teaching 🙂
Bethany
Happy Birthday. We share birthdays on the BEST month of the Year! SEPTEMBER. Yay. I will be celebrating my birthday at the end of the month in Vegas. What a great birthday it would be to win your book. Keeping my fingers crossed.