Building a Bright Future in Room 104

Edited and Updated August 13, 2017

Hello to all of my students and their families!! I am excited to begin a new school year with you all! The 2017-2018 school year will mark my 10th year of teaching 2nd grade at Oakland. I have lived in the Boiling Springs area/community all of my life and I have such a strong sense of pride for where I live. Being a teacher at an elementary school in my wonderful community is definitely icing on the cake! :) Hendrix Elementary School is where I went to school for Kindergarten- 4th Grade and it is an honor and a privilege to work in the District where I grew up.:)

My love for teaching began many, many years ago when I was just a child myself. My sister and I would play school for hours on end as I would teach away to my imaginary class. That dream was planted in my heart a long time ago and it has truly been so special to me as I have seen it come true. Working hard after high school and persevering through college taught me what the results of diligence, commitment , and hard work are. Not giving up has been part of what has gotten me where I am today.:):) My passion for learning and helping children achieve to their full potential was instilled in me long ago and it gives me great joy to live out my dream by being a tiny piece of a child's life each school year!:)

I hope this year will be the BEST year for each of you. It is my goal to help each child become the BEST person that he/she can possibly be. This includes academics as well as all life skills, such as being a good friend, a responsible citizen, and any role that your child has at home. Our two rules of being respectful and being responsible should follow your child outside of the classroom and into the ever-changing world they live in.

Who is Mrs. Allen?!?

I am 31 years ~~old~~ young and a native of Spartanburg, SC. I’m proud to be a BULLDOG!:) I graduated from BSHS in 2002 and went on to pursue my life-long dream of becoming a teacher. From the time I was a little girl I dreamed of teaching. Some of my fondest memories are playing school. I would spend hours passing out papers and writing on my chalkboard teaching away to my invisible students.

I graduated from USC Upstate in December 2007 with my Early Childhood Education Degree. I began substituting and ended up coming to Oakland to complete a long-term substituting position in 2nd grade. That opportunity opened the door to getting offered a position that I have dreamed of my whole life!

A year after I started teaching, I got engaged to my best friend, Nick. We got married a year later on June 5, 2010. A month after we were married we adopted our dog-son, Jonah, who is our spoiled rotten 7 year old "fur baby"!:) The newest and most precious member of our family arrived 5 months ago, our son, Lawson Walker Allen. He is the sweetest, happiest baby and we love him so very, very much! He is a little brother to his big sister, Lillian Mae Allen, who will turn 3 on October 8th! She is our sunshine and loves to entertain us by singing and dancing ALL the time. Her favorite Disney princess is Elsa and she loves to dress up in her Elsa dress and cape everyday! We are blessed beyond words with our two precious children!! They both bring us many smiles and laughs each day!:):)

When I'm not at school you can find me...traveling, reading a good book, playing with Lilly, shopping with friends, attempting to cook some yummy meals, hiking, on the lake, the mountains, or at the beach, (just being outside is THE BEST:)) I absolutely love time spent with family and friends and I cherish each memory made! As a family we love to travel and have fun together! We also love being apart of New Life Baptist Fellowship!

If I had to choose a favorite color: Green…or yellow…it's so hard to pick because I love them all:)

When I listen to some tunes, I like to jam to: Christian and Country Music...but these days we listen to Nursery Rhymes and Kids Songs mostly:)

If I turn on the T.V.: We watch a lot of cartoons lately...Curious George, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...:)

My Favorite Adult Author: Karen Kingsbury (I love Christian authors and I love to read realistic fiction books:):)

My Favorite Children's Book Author: (SOO hard to pick!!) Patricia Polacco (Again, I LOVE the realistic fiction genre...and when she writes she really brings her stories to life! I feel like I am a part of the story and I LOVE that!:))

My Favorites to fill my tummy:) Chicken, Fish, Italian, Salad with Strawberries and Feta Cheese, Chocolate Cake, Oreo Ice Cream, Kit-Kats, the list could go on and on…:):)

When I go out to eat...I enjoy...Olive Garden, P.F Changs, The Peddler, LongHorn...just about anything:)

Thanks to getting married to a previous Georgia Bulldog...we are Georgia Bulldog fans all the way...especially during football season! Go Dawgs!!

What have you been doing all summer, Mrs. Allen?

I have been enjoying my summer being a mommy! We've spent our days watching cartoons, playing, shopping, meeting friends for lunch dates and play dates, going to the pool, going to the lake, or going to the beach. I also had fun being apart of a Bible Study/Book Club with some sweet friends! Also, Nick and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas where we enjoyed time to rest and relax.:):)

My favorite yearly summer vacation trip is at Kiawah Island. We go there every summer with my in-laws. We have a blast relaxing on the beach, bike riding around the island, cooking dinner, eating out, getting ice cream from Marble Slab, and just being together :) It was especially fun this summer having both Lawson and Lilly to experience everything with!:)

Here are a few special summer memories that we captured in pictures:)...

Lilly loved the water!!!:) Especially the water parks:)

Lawson had fun in the sun, too!

The slides are her favorite!!:)

Loving the beach!:)

Family Beach Pictures:)

Wearing the waiter's hat and being silly on our cruise:)

Beach selfie in the Bahamas:)

Dress up night selfie on the cruise:)

Lilly riding a horse at Tryon Equestrian Center:)

We love our weekend boat rides:)

When do I get to meet you??

On Tuesday, August 15th from 1:00-6:00 you get to come see your new classroom and I get to see your big smile for the very first time as a SECOND GRADER!!:)

Please, bring your school supplies if you have already gotten them. This will make it a lot easier on both of us on the first day of school.

First Assignment...

Now that you have gotten to know a little bit about me, I would like for you to reply to this post and tell me what you have been up to this summer. I can't wait to hear about all of the unforgettable memories that you have been making this summer!