Confessions of a Teacher-Blogger!

Friends~ I confess to you that blogging scared me to death!  I can't remember when I decided to start or even how long ago it began .  I remember becoming obsessed with hunting for teaching ideas on the internet and stumbling upon a few blogs.  The sharing and collaborating is what drew me in!  I was finally in a world of like minded people that loved to create and share what they developed for their classrooms.  People that kept the children's needs in mind when planning and implementing lessons. Mrs. Durning at K-2 is Splendid gave me my start by posting about me on her page! She was so kind to take a chance on me:)




I confess that I may have stalked many of you in my beginning searches.  I felt like I had actually been in your classroom's from the photos and images that you posted.  It was like we were on some kind of virtual team.  Thank YOU!

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I confess that I got frustrated when you did not post enough...the hunger in me grew and I wanted more of your ideas.  I slowly realized that I was running on a one way street and I had a need to also share.  That my ideas were also worthy.

I confess that I started blogging not knowing anything about what I was doing.  I made sooooo many mistakes.  I could not live up to my expectations of myself.  Until I met my Blog Designer Mckenna and my web designer Mr. Ken.  Between the two of them my dream of entering the blog world became a reality!






I confess that I was very brave about sharing my ideas and loved the comments from my followers.  My blog is my 3rd baby.  I have nursed it along to over 1000 followers in over a year and a half.

I confess that I almost fell over when I got an invite to blog for Teaching Blog Addict!  Really it was like winning an academy award. Writing for that blog has been hands down one of the very best parts of being in the blog world.  Every author and follower is so very positive.  I know every post I do will end up with sweet and supportive comments. The founder Tamara Chilver and her gang are very kind and uplifting!





TBA
 
I confess that could have not done it alone.  Teaching Blog Traffic School was my backbone into the world.  I learned how to navigate through Facebook and Twitter easily because of Charity Preston.  It is $ well spent if you are considering starting a blog.


I confess that I have lost sleep and at times have became obsessed with the blog world.   I am happy to report that I have found a balance through getting up and working before my kiddos get up and staying up late to work after they go to bed.  Is it worth the loss of sleep?  YES!  Blogging is my therapy and my release.  It is a world where I am just Monica from The Schroeder Page and no one else.  I love that my kiddos Lily and Ian believe in me and are proud of my blog.

I confess that I use my own kiddos to help me with photo opts and to try out products I am reviewing.  Do they love it?  Yep, they sure do.  Ian loves when a box comes to the porch because he knows there is something new for us to check out!


I confess that I am still super nervous about putting my units for sale on Teachers Pay Teachers and Teacher's Notebook.  I take every comment personally and if I even get the slightest negative review~ I spend hours milling over how I can make the product better.  I honestly loose sleep over my comments and making my followers happy:)  I am honored and humbled by my following.  Below is a link to many of my FREE products on TPT.  Be sure to check out the other sections because there are other free items floating around my shop. 


 I confess that what I am about to tell you is one of the things that I cherish the most about blogging.  It is the friendships that I have made.  I have hundreds of new blogging friends that I can count on.  We help and support each other through life's many challenges plus blog challenges!  

I am super proud to announce my newest BLOGGin Buddie!  Hilary Lewis from Rocking Teacher Materials.  Hilary and I have talked several times via Facebook but recently over the phone and it was like finding a long lost friend.  Since our first phone call we have text and talked almost daily.  Check out our cute blog button we have placed on our sidebars! 


It is so wild that we are in totally different states and parts of life but we connect!  I feel so blessed to be in this blogging world because of all of the privileges that it has brought to me.

Thank you to all of the above and to all of my followers and supporters.  My world has changed because I am a PROUD Teacher-Blogger.

I would be honored if you would join my linky party below and share about your BLOG Journey!


18 comments

  1. You are just the sweetest thing girl! BTW...LOVE the Beyond Flipping Cards...Sat here and read the whole thing. I definitely want to come and visit your classroom! Have a great night and get some sleep...before your next game!!! :)
    Thanks Buddy!
    Hilary

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  2. aww I like this post. I feel the same way even though I've only been blogging for a month now. I love all of the ideas I get from everyone, and I love that I feel like I have a support team. Blogging is going to make me a better teacher I can already tell!

    Adventures in Room 5

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  3. What a great blog post! I truly enjoyed reading every single word of it. I feel the exact same way that you do. Blogging has completely transformed my life and the way I teach. I have met countless bloggers, present company included, whose talents have amazed me and whose generosity and kindness have astounded me. I couldn't possibly list all the names of these special people because there are just so many. My only hope is that I have touched them, in some way, as much as they have touched me. Thanks for allowing me to take the time to ponder how my life has changed since I became a blogger.

    Ѽ Lori
    Teaching With Love and Laughter
    luvyorkies@gmail.com

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  4. Great post! I started my blog a year ago and am just starting to really utilize it. My new goal is to start creating things so I can give back a small portion of what I have received from fellow bloggers.

    Excited to have found your blog. I am your newest follower.

    Stop by and explore my blog. I also just recently created a FB page :)
    Patti
    One Class, One Sound

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  5. What a GREAT post. I am brand new to blogging and I too love to blog stalk. I stalked several blogs before taking the plunge to the blogging world. I am still in the beginning stages and at times (all the time) am very overwhelmed, but it is sooooo worth it. Thank you for the great post.
    -Abby
    Mrs. Saunders' Lovelies

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  6. What a wonderful post!!! I LOVE how wonderful everyone in blogland has been. I feel like I am on a team where everyone is here with the same purpose. . .doing what is best for students.
    ✰ Stacy

    Simpson Superstars

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  7. This post is exactly how I have felt on my little journey. I just started in March... and I started slow... because I was scared to open up and put it all out there, but it has been so so worth it!!

    My all time fave and the #1 reason I began blogging is because of THE Cara Carroll! She was the first teacher blog I ever found/read/stalked. Now, I love doing it because I get to find sooo many other amazing teachers and bloggers.

    And lucky me, I just found YOU! Just followed so I'll be reading a lot more from The Schroeder Page!

    Susan
    T.G.I.F. (Thank God it's First Grade!)

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  8. I agree with everything you have said! I have found it hard to keep a balance in my life, because I love the new friends I have found in the blogging world and can get lost in everyone's creativity and awesomeness! I love the camaraderie and generosity I have found in this community and I know it makes me a better teacher. I just hope that I can give back just as much as everyone has given me!
    ✿Nicole
    Teaching With Style

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  9. you just gave me so much motivation to keep on going, just started blogging.... just started teaching. I don't know what I would gave done without all the blog stslking I did when I first started last yeat. I was so in over my head, and felt so alone until I found TBA and blogs like yours. Thankyou from thet bottom of my heart!
    Laura

    http://anewteachersexperience.blogspot.com

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  10. I agree that blogging about my classroom is therapeutic and reading other blogs is exciting. I have learned much and met bloggers who support me without knowing much about me. It's a wonderful community! I just started TBTS and am loving it. It's great to read another positive review of it. Thanks!

    Heather at TeachItToday!

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  11. Friends~Thanks so much for your responses to this post:) I have turned it into a linky party because of all of your sweet responses. Please join in and help spread the word about what an incredible community the blog world is for teachers:)

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  12. Hi,
    I am very new to blogging but I too have read so many teacher blogs I just had to start a blog. I love all the sharing and inspiration. When I have a bad day at school nothing is better to lift my spirit then to blog stalk. I one time went to my principal and told her I read about this awesome teachers classrooms and I want to go visit. My principal said sure I'll set up an observation, what school? I just laughed and said it is in Texas ( I'm in Ohio!).
    Keep up the awesome posts,
    Wendy
    4th-5thgradehappiness.blogspot.com

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  13. Aww...I loved reading this post. Thanks for opening up and sharing your "confessions" with us! I think most of us share these same feelings. ;)

    Amanda
    Teaching Maddeness

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  14. Thank you for your honesty! I am new to blogging and I am in love with it! It's great to talk about teaching and learning with other teachers. I have always believed that unless you are an educator, you just don't get it! It's the best profession! Thank you again!

    -Stacey
    http://pilesofpencils.blogspot.com/

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  15. Loved this post Monica and I have enjoyed your friendship in the blogging world. You are such a phenomenal educator and the number of lives you have impacted is infinite. :)

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  16. Words so true! Thank you for "confessing" what we all share as our love. I just started blogging recently & I have already grown by leaps & bounds, both personally & professionally.

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  17. I want to start for the same reasons as you, I just have no idea where to even begin!

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Extra, extra tell Mrs. Schroeder about it!