Yea, here’s another bio! My little speech worked! Actually Angela just joined today, but I’ll take it as a good sign that she sent her bio in right away. Maybe we’ll get some more. Thanks Angela!
Hi Ben,
I wasn’t sure how to do a bio on the PLC blog, so I thought that email would get it done. [ed. note – yes, just send them to benslavic@yahoo.com] fell in love with TPRS about 8 years ago. It had a phenomenal impact on my teaching, my students, and developing language learning LOVE! My students loved my class, but being the “new kid on the block” and dealing with budget cuts, 3 years ago, my principal asked me to move to English (a certification I also have). I was devastated. I knew that I was starting again, and after the joy I experienced in the classroom with TPRS, I knew it would be a long road.
I love teaching so I have found ways to engage my classes and make them student centered – they are upper level English classes so enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm. But of course, TPRS is there, in the back of my mind, dying to live! So, each year, our principal asks us to write down our dream assignment. In the past 3 years, I have felt the need to focus on English, to become really good at it. But this year, I thought, what could it hurt. I’ll gently remind him that I am a Spanish teacher! Well, he called me and not only asked me to teach 2 sections of Spanish, but to teach the ESOL class (something I’ve NEVER done!). I will also keep teaching 3 sections of upper level English.
When I found out this news, I immediately looked you up. I was an avid fan of yours the year before I moved to English. I implemented PQA in a wink and tied it to Blaine’s stories. I have to know what’s new. When I saw your PLC, I knew I would join, just a matter of when. I can’t wait to read and catch up. I am also really wanting to link up with some successful TPRS ESOL teachers if you happen to know any. I am, right now, rereading PQA in a Wink!, and so much of it makes me SO READY for day one of my Spanish class! It’s also funny how much of the relationship aspect I have carried over to teaching my English classes. I start off my English classes with the kids writing their names on a piece of cardstock and drawing a symbol for the main character from something they read over the summer or their favorite book. We circle and learn character analysis, but more importantly, I build those relationships and show them they matter!
Thanks so much for investing your energy, time and talent into making this information accessible for the masses! I can’t wait to begin again!
Sincerely,
Angela Pidgeon in San Angelo, TX