Well Hello....

I couldn't be more excited to become part of the Blog Hoppin' team!  Let me tell you, this is one of the first blogs that got me addicted to interested in teaching blogs.  It's not everyday that you run across a collaborative blog with so many amazing and talented teachers, so I'm so grateful to become part of the team.  It's humbling and a little bit overwhelming.  Especially having to follow a post from Debbie Clement.  :) I hope I don't put you to sleep...

My name is Ashley and I'm The School Supply Addict.  Maybe you've heard of it?  Or seen these dots flying around somewhere?

I'm not REALLY an addict.  I don't think.  Is denial a sign?  One of my best friends (and roommate) in college called me a 'school supply addict' after she discovered that I had amassed a closet full of crayons, paper, pencils, cardstock, stickers, glue, etc. all in anticipation of having my first classroom. My excuse was that I kept running into really good sales and needed to stock up.  This was a year before I graduated.  Although I still have strong urges to purchase mass quantities of 20 cent crayons and half-price packs of 3000 popsicle sticks, my addiction has morphed a bit.... to online resources.  

We'll get to that in a minute, but a few facts you may need to know:

• I have experience in Pre-K, Kindergarten, assessment, technology, and currently teach three different levels of EFL (6-7 year olds, 7-10 year olds, and teenagers).
• I'm from Kentucky, but currently live in Switzerland.  Yes.  Cheese, chocolate, wine, cows, and the Alps.  My husband and I have another year over here and then it's back to 'the states.' 
• I don't like reading non-teaching books.  There.  I said it.  A teacher who dislikes reading.  However, you better believe that my students think I love it!  That's a secret they'll never know.  :) 
• I'm a dog person.  If I didn't teach, then I'd live on a farm and open a dog shelter... and a frozen yogurt shop... with a wine bar inside... and a coffee shop next door.  I would also consider hanging posters of Ryan Gosling and Jude Law everywhere.  Like a 14 year old girl.  

My (amazing) husband and I

I started my little blogging adventure a little over a year ago and it has been nothing short of amazing.  I've connected with so many amazing teachers and learned over a bazillion things that I can use with my students.  It's truly helped me become a more effective and efficient teacher.

My blog/website is probably a little different than most you've come across.  Before I began, I had this ginormous list of links to ideas I had found online.  It was an organized Excel file, but wasn't that useful.  I'm a very visual person and had the idea of combining a blog with static pages and pictures.  Pictures of everything.  Literally.

In addition to my blog, there are over 100 pages on my site organized by content or areas that pertain to teaching.  My goal? 

Connect teachers with great resources... lots of them.  

You'll find my products and ideas alongside countless others from amazing teachers, many of whom write for Blog Hoppin'!  The one thing I always try to do is add some sort of visual for you to SEE what it is. Plus I add short descriptions, what level it's for, where it's from, whether it's free, a paid item, or idea, and the links to access it.  I try to make it as simple as possible and I add lots of new things every week!  

I hope you get a chance to come check it out!  I'm sure you find something you can use.  A word of caution though:  It's addicting.  You're going to need a bit of time (and coffee) to browse through everything.  I've been reprimanded by several friends for 'taking up way too much of their time'.  Hahaha....   I will NOT apologize.  :)

How about starting at one of the pages below?  It's that time of year again! 

I hope you enjoy and that it makes your life a little bit easier!  I'd love to have you join me on Facebook as well!  I do a lot of random giveaways and interact a lot with fans. 

Connect via Facebook

Thanks so much for your time!  I've got some great posts up my sleeve and I'll see you again soon.  In honor of my 'Blog Hoppin' Induction', I made you a little something...

He's all yours!  I just feel so honored (and fancy like this frog) being able to work with some great ladies!
Hopefully you have a use for a frog... in a top hat and bow tie.  Maybe?  

DOWNLOAD Fancy Frog (jpeg & png; via Google Docs)

Ok!  Happy Wednesday everyone!  See you soon!