#SPRINGTEACHERBLOGGERMEETUP2015

This Spring Teacher Blogger Meet Up better be an annual thing, because I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend!!


Last year, fifty-four teacher bloggers gathered in French Lick, Indiana for a relaxing weekend away.  This year there were over one hundred teachers from all over who came to be a part of this INSPIRATIONAL event. 

Everything about this weekend was exactly what I needed to be rejuvenated for the rest of the school year.  I LOVE teaching and I love surrounding myself with other teachers who LOVE teaching as much as I do; teachers who are passionate, enthusiastic, and dedicated to what they do.  AND, I was able to spend it with two of my favorite coworkers. Brittany @ [Nifty in First Grade] and the event planner herself, Holly @ [Mrs. Ehle's Kindergarten Connections].

On Friday night we decided to explore the West Baden Springs Hotel.  …I love me some history, and it doesn’t take much to understand why this hotel was once called the “eighth wonder of the world.” …and we are pretty adorable as well, if I do say so myself.

Saturday.  The Main Event.  …a teacher tool swap, technology tips and tricks, round table discussions, and a pajama party!!

The teacher tool swap was broken into grade levels.  I loved the opportunity to spend some time with my “middle school” girls.  There were so many brilliant tools.  I think there is a good chance that I will be investing in a stapleless stapler very soon.  yes, that is a real thing.  My favorite part of the day was the round table discussions.  I grabbed so many great, simple ideas for increasing student engagement, getting myself more organized, and making the most out of the iPads in my classroom. 


oh, and we got to take home some really fabulous #teacherswag!!  [Keep reading to win your own Spring Teacher Blogger Swag Bag!]

As if that wasn’t enough, [Teachers Pay Teachers] and [GoNoodle] sponsored a pajama party so that we could be INSPIRED all evening.  …everyone who brought a business card, walked away with someone else’s card; someone to encourage and uplift in the coming months.

“A key to growing as a teacher is to keep company mainly with teachers who uplift you, whose presence inspires you and whose dedication drives you.” –Robert John Meehan

I feel so blessed to have been a part of such an amazing weekend!

Spring Teacher Blogger Swag Bag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

SPRING TEACHER BLOGGER MEET-UP

March cannot get here soon enough. I am beyond excited for the 2nd Annual Spring Teacher Blogger Meet-Up in French Lick, Indiana!!  You don't want to miss it. 



Thanks to a gentle shove from the wonderful Holly Ehle, I had just started blogging when I attended last year's event. ...and by just started, I mean I had a really cute blog design and one post. This meet-up was exactly the inspiration that I needed. ...not just to take blogging to the next level, but to take teaching to the next level. I was rejuvenated and reinspired to attack each day with enthusiasm.

Don't feel like you have to be a blog expert to attend. OR that you even have to be much of a blog stalker. If you are a teacher and you need something to get you excited about teaching, this is it.  …so, visit [Mrs’s Ehle’s Kindergarten Connections] to learn more and sign-up now. 

BLOG HOPPIN' AFTER AN AWESOME MEET-UP

At the end of March, fifty-four teachers and bloggers attended the Spring Teacher Blogger Meet-Up at the French Lick Resort & Casino that was organized by the fabulous, Holly Ehle.  It was AMAZING!  I had such a fantastic time being surrounded by educators from all over the country who are passionate about teaching.  They were truly an inspiration.  When's the next meet-up?!

To share a bit about our experience, and to give YOU the chance to win some of the awesome give-aways we received that weekend, we are having a BLOG HOP!! Be sure to hop all the way to the end in order to find your chance to enter the MASSIVE PRIZE GIVE-AWAY!!  Check it out, you can win ALL of these great prizes...  

  

While at the meet-up, we had the opportunity to participate in a "Teacher Tool Swap."  Everyone brought a a little something that they cannot live without in their classroom.  After a fun, little game that tested my knowledge of left and right, I had a fancy new pair of scissors, post-its, AND these fabulous pens!!  Thanks, Amanda Pauley!! ...my spring break grading was much more enjoyable with these fun, colorful pens by PaperMate.


As if the Vera Bradly bag, Erin Condren gift card, and Scentos weren't enough, I also won a $50.00 gift card to Schoolgirl Style!!  Melanie provided all of the decorations for the Blogger Meet-Up.  They were PERFECT and I can't wait to order some fun decorations for my classroom!  I mean, look!!

   

...I even learned a few things at this Spring Teacher Blogger Meet-Up!  During the Tips & Tricks session, Jenny taught everyone about the pros of using Windows Live Writer for posting to your blog.  How did I not already know about this??  If you have Windows, you have Windows Live Writer.  I love how simple it makes inserting pictures and making them the perfect size!!  

Sitting next to Amanda Pauley was definitely a wise decision.  Just one peak at the desktop of her computer changed my life!! Check out my post on desktop makeovers to learn more...

Yeah, free is fantastic, and the Tips & Tricks were great, but the best part of the weekend was the contagious enthusiasm of the teachers and bloggers that had traveled on their own time and at their own expense to be a part of the weekend.  I LOVE teaching; being around other teachers who LOVE what they do was exactly what I needed to rejuvenate me for the rest of this school year!!  



Don't forget to keep hopping!  Check out Amanda @ The Primary Gal and you will be one step closer to the ultimate prize give-away!!