So happy to have you here! My name is Allison and I am a Nationally Board Certified high school language arts teacher. I have two boys, String Bean (Noah) who just turned 11 and Squishy (Luke) who is eight. Their real names are very Biblical, I know, and no, I am not Amish nor super religious (not that there is anything wrong with that!) Luke was actually named because I love, love, love Star Wars. Noah was a name that reminded me of a kind-hearted kid, and being my first child, he is. Why these nicknames? Well, Noah is long, lean and there is nothing to him, even though he could take out stock in Pringles. Luke is Squishy like in Finding Nemo. He is so squeezable and huggable (and could take out stock in all food!) My husband, The Captain, is also a high school English teacher so we have many stories about teaching between us. He is also the drama director for his district, and in my marriage vows I signed up to choreograph all of his shows. Gotta dance.
About me, I was born in New Orleans, moved to Houston, St. Louis and New Jersey all before I was in middle school. Moved to Ohio my junior year of high school, graduated from Auburn University in good ol’ Alabama and moved back to Northeast Ohio where I live in a small town. It is a nice community but sometimes I get concerned that my children will not see enough diversity and culture.
With that said, I do like the little intricacies of a small town. I like it because my kids can play outside with friends and just be. I like it because I can get to the grocery store, bank and liquor store in less that two minutes. I like it sometimes just because it is comfortable.
I do miss New Orleans and the South, and thankfully I have an Ohio-born husband who loves to accompany me to visit my family living down there.
Allison has entered the building.
Shut up! I lived in N’awlins for 5 years! I write about it all the time! I taught at Metairie Park Country Day School. And now I am in Western, New York. We are soul-sisters, methinks. Nice to meet you! 😉
I have to be honest – I didn’t understand the reply button on comments until recently and looked back and noticed that instead of replying to your comment, I posted a comment on my own blog! How embarrassing!
It is wonderful to meet another New Orleans girl who is also braving the blisteringly cold winters in the North! I very much LOVE your blog and have been a subscriber for some time. I hope this comment that I finally learned how to actually reply correctly to finds you in a happy (although possible snowy) January. Gumbo would be good right now! 🙂
Very nice to meet you, too! Love meeting another New Orleans girl! I sometimes go into Cajun food withdrawal here in Ohio… I am sure you can relate! I actually have been an email subscriber to your blog for quite a while and I love it! 🙂
I actually get to Cleveland about twice a year! Are you nearby? And now you have to get a Twitter widget on your page! So may things to do! You have a great place here! 😉
I am about an hour from Cleveland. I actually get up there about once a month. If you are in the Cleveland area this summer, please let me know!
Won’t be there during the summer BUT we are always there for New Years. ALWAYS! And other times as well. Will keep you posted. 😉
I do enjoy that we can make the triumverate of shopping (clothes, food, and liquor) all within 5 minutes of each other and 10 minutes of home. :)) I’m all for convenience!
Hello from one northeastern Ohioan to another! Great blog. Looking forward to reading more.
Hello fellow Ohioan! It is so nice to have you stop by!
I just subscribed to your blog because I am a retired elementary school teacher who wished she had taught language arts in the higher grades! As close as I’ve gotten to that is a son-in-law who teaches language arts in a public middle school for gifted children. I was born and live in Denver, Colorado, although I have traveled and lived elsewhere. I raised two daughters and now have 2 sons-in-law and 3 grandchildren. I love to write about my perspective on life. Used to write in journals for just myself–now I write a blog for anyone to read. Oh, I also subscribed because your “like’ on my Facebook post brought me here to check you out!
I believe all elementary school teachers are saints! I don’t think I could do it. The freshmen are about as young as I feel comfortable teaching. By the way, I loved your post about Facebook – it is so true! Thank you so much for coming and reading my little blog.
Hi Jean! Just wanted to let you know that I am passing the Versatile Blogger Award on to you. Check out my post for the specifics. 🙂
Wow! How cool – thank you so much! I am so excited – I have to call someone! 😉
Thanks for visiting my blog! I can’t way to see what your thoughts are on Day Seven. Thank you again!
Thanks for stopping by! I really liked your book Day Seven. It was great! I am so impressed!
I am friends to zombies. I wonder if I would establish a fund – Wild Zombie Fund (WZF), Free Zombies, Radio Zombie, National Public Zombie (NPZ). I’m done. 😉 Thanks again for reading it and I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Um.
WAR EAGLE.
The end.
War Eagle to you, too! 🙂
Hi,
thanks for the likes and signing up– love to be in touch with another teacher! Where are you teaching now? Love middle school kids though I’m out of the classroom now. I’m signing up for your blog.
I teach 9th and 11th grade Language Arts in central Ohio. I was so happy to wander over to your blog. 🙂
Hi,
Where in Ohio? Our daughter is a junior at Kenyon in Gambier. Would you have any interest in my book– On the Trail of the Ancestors: A Black Cowboy’s Ride Across America– I taught it to middle schoolers and have an entire curriculum build around it. Happy to give it to you to try. Book avail on Amaz, B& N, etc.
Love your blog! Will be following along. Thanks for visiting mine so I could find yours! What a gem…
I am so glad to have met another blogging mom of boys! This has made my day! 🙂
Hi Allison,
Thanks for the comment and like about the black jockeys.
I’m wondering if you’d be interested in the book as a non-fiction text for your classes or could suggest a teacher who might be? I had terrific success with teaching the units to students in Newark the past two years and have developed an extensive study guide that includes writing, reading, dramatic and character education activities. Email me for more–
lisakwinkler@gmail.com
Will you ever post again? HF
Awww – you are so sweet to ask! I have been utterly swamped at school this past week and a half, but I have one ready to post tonight. 🙂
I look forward to it! I know you have a great summer planned. Hope you blog through the summer. NO SUMMER BREAK! HF
I am going to try to blog at least twice a week this summer. I have 23 drafts that I need to clean up and post. Right now, however, I am cleaning up the school year and looking forward to June 1st! 🙂
Happy Friday indeed – do you get the long weekend or are you already out of school? I’ve nominated jeandayfriday for the One Lovely Blog Award. The details are at http://frifflethoughts.wordpress.com. Love reading your writing – thanks for sharing!
Rebecca – sorry it has taken me a zillion years to reply to this! Thank you so much! I have been a little bit hit and miss with my blog this summer. You have made my day! Thanks again! 🙂
Thanks for liking my finished projects post!
I am completely impressed! It is beautiful! 🙂
I didn’t realize I hadn’t liked this page! I did read it though. :-). We lived in NOLA for three years and I loved it down there, and still like to visit when I have a chance. Love your blog!
I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. This is my first time participating in a chain letter type award. I hope that you realize that there are a few reasons I am doing this: 1) To thank you for the inspiration you have given me as I learn the blogging ropes 2) To share your talents with my friends, families, and followers. I hope that you will graciously accept this award from a newbie like me!
http://allaccesspassblog.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/first-id-like-to-thank/
Thanks so much! You are too sweet! I have been a bad blogger this summer because I can’t keep to any kind of a schedule. 😦
Hi Allison,
I’m working on a project with a group of bloggers and thought of you. Send me your email and I’ll tell you the details. lisakwinkler@gmail.com
My email is: jeandayfriday@gmail.com. I would love to hear about the project! 🙂
Jean,
You love Star Wars. I love Star Wars. We will be best friends. Now don’t you go and touch my Darth Vader collection.
Le Clown
Hey there! Thanks for the follow! I’ve seen your blog around! I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts!
Hey, I just saw your comment on “Moms Who Wine” and it reminded me that I wanted to talk with you about guest blogging with us for our December series on fertility. If you are still interested, send us a message through Facebook or hit our “Guest Posting” button. I think your story could really resonate with some readers!
Looking forward to working with you!
You’re not Alibali on Draw Something, are you?????
No, I am not. Sorry! I love that game, but I am awful at it!
Are you still possibly interested in guest posting with us? And, by the way, happy holidays! Being a teacher this time of year is great, right?!
http://offdutymom.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/last-call-yall/
I am very interested in guest posting for you!! And a very happy Thanksgiving to you! 🙂
Excellent. I look forward to reading it. Thank you. I feel like we’re sort of kindred blogging spirits, so it is great to collaborate. Happy thanksgiving!
Allison, thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post! Much appreciated.
When I read bios like this I am overtaken by memories of every American movie I have ever watched! It sounds so exotic to a small-town Brit 🙂
Thanks for following my blog.
I’m glad you listed the liquor store, but I think your priorities may be a little out of order. It’s liquor store, grocery and then the bank. If you do the liquor store last, you won’t have any booze to suck down while you buy groceries. And if you’re not drunk, you’ll never have the guts to hold up the bank. Yes, I try to improve others’ lives wherever I go. You’re welcome!
Hey Allison, I just passed the Liebster award on to you… no doubt you’ve gotten it before, but I really wanted to share it with you sistah! You know how this works; so check it out on my post and join, or don’t join. But, you’ve gotta tell me: why JeanDayFriday, when your name is Allison. Gotta know. 😉
Dawn – thank you so much! I am sorry I have taken so long to reply to you. It has been a busy past couple of weeks (we have puppies now – it is wild!) I have been drafting a post about why I am jeandayfriday – so I will be putting it on today. 🙂
Look forward to it! Puppies! It’s like having quints… or something, worse. So cute, but oh the work!!
Where oh where have you gone? Not sure how to email, but hope you’re fine… miss your writing.
You are so sweet! I took a little summer break – literally! I hope to post this week. I will be by to see you soon!!!!
You are missed!
I bow down to teachers. Especially to those who teach my son who lives with Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, dyslexia and anxiety. There are so many days when I’m trying to help him with his homework and he’s melting down, or dealing with “rock brain,” or just not able to focus at all, and as much as he complains, whines and cries about having to go to school, there is no way in heck I could home school him. None. He’s now in sixth grade and I’m counting down the years until he graduates. The day he earns a high school diploma I’m going to bawl like a baby.