About Me

My name is Tammy.  I am a mother of two adult children, Megan and Austen. I am a wife to my high-school sweetheart, the daughter of a science teacher, the sister of an instructional special education aide, the mother of an education student, and the mother of a PDD kid.  I am also a proud Texan.

I cannot tell you about me if I don't start with my kids.

I was a young (21 year old) wife.  One year after we were married, I had my daughter.  Two years later...my son.  So, we started early and my only regret is that I don't have many friends with children the same age as my own.  Most of my friends are just starting their families.  My beautiful, talented, organized daughter, Megan, is 24.  She graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Elementary Education, but decided to coach D3 college softball instead.  She is the wife of Lt. John, US Army, and he is a 2011 Sam Houston grad.  My witty, common-sense, handsome son, Austen is 22, PDD, and a college junior.  He wants to be a coach.  And he will be PHENOMENAL!  He is the main reason teaching found me.

I am also the proud, enamored grandmother of a wonderful, beautiful, funny, determined little girl named Olivia.  She just turned 1 year!  She lives far from us, but we get to FaceTime with her every weekend.  Any time we see her, it's all about hugs and kisses!!!

My husband, Scott, is the dreamer.  I am the realist.  So, we balance each other well, I think.  He has finally found his calling and is the happiest I have ever seen him.

Our dog, Cooper, is grumpy, structured, and intolerant of others.  But he loves us and we love him.  My son's dog, Bronco, is a beast he adopted from the local shelter.  He's 100 pounds of love.  The great Molly (after Molly Weasley, of course), is the kindest dog I have ever owned.  I love her dearly...and she loves me!  Rounding out our homemade pound is newbie Remy...a bundle energy that I can't keep up with!  But Molly will set her straight!

I currently teach in Texas.  I moved from a campus I loved, where I taught fourth grade, to become a Campus Instructional Specialist at another campus in our district.  I work with students and teachers in ELA grades 3-5.  I had the honor of being voted "Teacher of the Year, 2011" at my former school. 

Now that my kids are grown, teaching has become even more important to me. I absolutely, without a doubt, believe in my job.  I love teaching.  I get up every morning and have no problem going to my work. I have a LOT of sick and personal days because I am rarely absent.   I believe in our students, who they can become, and what we can do to help them.  I believe every child can learn if you can just find a way to reach them.  I believe that there are no "bad" kids.  Every time I make a decision, or choice, of what to do for or say to a child, I ask myself, "Is that how I would want a teacher to talk to my child?"  My students are not lucky to have me...I am lucky to have met and taught each and every one of them.

As a parent and as an educator, I have encountered a few awful educators.  I have met many more average educators, and A LOT of fantastic educators.  My experiences guide me to the teacher I am and the one I want to be.

I am organized, creative, and resourceful.  I am clever and I love thinking of ways to reach my students.  I am also stubborn and a little inflexible (when it comes to those who only teach because they wanted families or summers off.  Oh,  and FYI, you must like children to be able to teach.)  Yep...I can also be a smart a@@.

I decided to begin this blog because Megan will travel around the country with Lt. John and their dogs, Tex and Bentley. I will not be within driving distance for her to come and borrow my books, files, games, ideas, etc.  (I've done this so many times with my mom!)  So I wanted her to follow me. This can become a teaching file cabinet for the both of us.  I also needed a reflection journal; something I could refer to when it came to my feelings, thoughts, or actions about teaching.

Finally, I am an AVID reader.  I used to spend a lot of money on books at Barnes and Noble.  Then I found Amazon and seemed to get deliveries weekly.  I had too many books.  Then...I got my Kindle!!!!  It's the best thing ever, in the whole world, for readers like me!!!  I now have the Fire, but my first Kindle will always be special.  I am a big series reader, so I love finishing a book at 2 a.m. and buying the next in the series right then!!! 

I have loved to read as long as I can remember.  I used to lay at the foot of my bed and read by the light in the hallway.  My mother used to tell me I would ruin my eyes.  I did, I guess, because I am blind as a bat!!!!!! I can't find my glasses if I drop them on the floor!!

Anyway, I am a Harry Potter fanatic.  Seriously.  I have collectibles and every book about Potter and the series, (including hardbacks of the books themselves) everywhere.  I am a member of The Leaky Cauldron , I follow J.K. Rowling , and I'm a Hufflepuff on Pottermore  And yes, I have a wand.  My Scott bought it for me for Christmas. ( He doesn't like Potter but he is co-dependent.  He has attended numerous midnight showings, waiting in lines for up to two hours.)  However, I must be a Muggle, because the wand doesn't work. My son bought me a time turner, like the one that Hermione used in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I want a sticker that says, "My other ride is a Firebolt" or "I wish I taught at Hogwarts."  I want a snitch necklace and an "Accio keys" keychain.  Yes, I am that geeky.  And I love that about myself!!! So, ::thbtttttttt::

I'm so glad I found blogging and even happier to have you join me for the ride.  You can contact me at tlmat529@gmail.com .


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