I'd Love to Make You One

I'd love to make one of these for you, with your name and favorite colors and patterns of course.  Read on to find out how that could happen.  

October 8, 2011 is when this little blog came to life.  A year ago tomorrow, I sent my first thoughts out into cyberspace thinking that maybe, just maybe, someone might find them interesting.  A few someones actually did (bless their hearts), but I seriously didn't expect very many to follow along.  Over the year more and more joined up, but I often marveled at the rate at which other teacher blogs were growing.  My blog took the remedial route, but 330 is about 300 more than I expected.  So thank you to all 330 of you!

I've thoroughly enjoyed using this blog to share my teaching thoughts.  In my personal life I'm not an extremely chatty person, but give me a teachery topic, and I can carry my own fairly well.  Being able to do that on a weekly basis through my blog has been very enjoyable.  Many times I've excitedly thought, "Hey, when I get home from school I get to post!"  It's become a passion, so much so, that I typically have a handful of posts just ready and waiting in the wings.  I must admit that the joy has been interrupted at times with moments of doubt, as I've wondered if I'm offering what people really want, like Saturday Sayings for example.  I'll continue sharing reflective quotes though, because that's where becoming a better teacher really starts and that's what excites me the most. 

I don't know where this blog may find itself in the future, but I have hopes for it that are much more important than how many followers it has.

My Hopes

• I never want someone to read one of my posts and think, "Well that was a waste of time."  I hope there's always something helpful to take away from it.
• I hope my thoughts cause others to think about their own practices.
• I hope Saturday Sayings inspire.
• I can be rather opinionated and vocal about classroom practices, so I hope if I step on toes it doesn't hurt too badly.
• I hope that my blog continues to be a reflection of how I'm growing and learning as a teacher. 
• I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I don't run out of things to say now that I've done this for a whole year.

As a way to thank you for letting my blog be part of your life, I'd love to make someone a sign similar to the one above.  Here's how it could be you:

Every time a follower comments on one of my posts this week, starting now through Saturday the 13th, I will put that person's name into a hat.  (Your name could be in the hat four or five times.)  On Sunday the 14th, I'll pull out a name and make that lucky person an original sign of their very own.  

Comment away and know that each time you do, I'm very thankful that you are part of this little blog.  I'm very thankful for those of you who don't comment too of course.  Thank you for thinking that I have something worthwhile to say.