Thanking My Fellow Bloggers {Linky Party}

I started this blogging journey almost a year ago (December 16 is my blogiversary...wow!) and in that year my teaching, and the outlook on the way in which I go about teaching, has changed.   Immersing myself in this world of high quality educators who strive to do the best for their students has enabled me to do the same.  I mean, I was always trying new things and working my hardest to bring the best to my classroom full of kids, but now I have FANTASTIC resources available at the click of my mouse.

And what are some of the blogger finds that I am most thankful for??

Jennifer Runde of Runde's Room -- this girl is my teaching dream.  She runs her class the way I would, implements rigorous and well thought out plans, and brings out not only the best in her students but the best in all of us reading.  She truly is an exemplary teacher and her blog pushes me to be that as well.  Her Interactive Math Journal has changed the way I look at my lessons -- not just in math, but in all subjects.  She has also turned out to be a great friend (even though she lives all the way up in Canada :) )

My expanded network of collaborators -- This past year, the people I collaborate with to bounce ideas off, to run things by, to work out problems that arise with lessons, or even to just vent about teaching related (or non-teaching related) things has skyrocketed.  I can not express how grateful I am to Kim from Finding Joy in 6th Grade, Kristen at Ladybug's Teacher Files, Mor at A Teacher's Treasure, Laura Candler and the aforementioned Jen for their time and effort poured into listening to me, helping me, and just plain being there to be a network of accomplished teachers to have around.

All of the Freebies --  Teachers by nature are givers and when they share their hard work...I can't help but be grateful.  Here is one that I am currently loving.  It is a report card conference form that is making my conferences go SO SO SO smoothly.  It came from The Go-To Teacher and is short enough to get only the important info across, but is thorough enough that everyone feels satisfied that a great deal of info was shared.  Head on over there to pick it up (and stay a little while...she has some other great stuff there too!)


So now, here is where you come in friends...What are the blogger finds that YOU are most grateful for?  This could be anything....a great idea you found, a product you purchased that has made a difference in your classroom, a friendship you have made because of blogging, or just a general feeling you have now because of this blogging world.  And this isn't just for those of you with blogs.  If you don't have a blog, just comment here!

There are two ways to participate here:
1.  If you have a blog, write a blog post, grab the picture, and link back here (if you don't link back, I will delete)  Don't forget to add your link to the linky widget.

2.  If you don't have a blog, leave a comment with what you are thankful for in this blogosphere.

I can't wait to read all about what you are thankful for...and maybe find something new for me to be thankful for as well!