EMerce*d in Learning

Time-Out Tuesday Each Tuesday we will take time out of the classroom to learn about each other. A few years ago I began a journey to become more financially secure. I had finished my Master's about a year prior and thought it was time to start hitting the college debt hard.  What was shocking was how much debt we had. In September 2010 we had a grand total in outstanding debt of 78,532.95.  During our payoff we accumulated a little more debt with the purchase of a car and my husband's student loans.  This seems drastic for a couple who were still in their twenties, unfortunately it was "normal." A few friends had begun speaking about this guy, Dave Ramsey.  I decided to buy his book and see what the hoopla was all about.  After reading The Total Money Makeover my life was changed!  Luckily the awesome hubby did what he usually does when I get a wild idea- supports me without question. Source We tightened our budget down to the bare essentials ...

Time-Out Tuesday Each Tuesday we will take time out of the classroom to learn about each other. Just a little update on my garden.  Wow has it been workin' it!  It looks like I am going to have more cucumbers than I will know what to do with.  Do you have any recipes? My squash and tomatoes are really coming in too.  A couple of my tomatoes are turning red.  Yay!   The peppers are doing well too.  I've already picked several and it looks like a few more will be ready in about a week. I'm looking forward to the day when we can use a real backyard.  Our poor neighbors will think farmers have moved in! 

Time-Out Tuesday Each Tuesday we will take time out of the classroom to learn about each other. So I've been out of school for two days. I already miss my kiddos! I NEED routine.  I NEED a summer bucket list. This place is at the top of my list. Can you believe I can bike there from my house?!?  I have a few books I want to read too, but I'm already running out of tasks.  Help!  What books or movies would you suggest?  Anything in southeastern Virginia or northeast North Carolina I should check out?

Time-Out Tuesday Each Tuesday we will take time out of the classroom to learn about each other. Goals.... So nice to have. So hard to set sometimes. My problem is that I want to do EVERYTHING!  I'm not even sure what my next big goal should be.  Here are a few ideas I'm toying with: Another Master's- Maybe reading?  Doctorate- Early Childhood?  Ed Psych? Ed Instruction and Leadership? Pickup more TCC classes- Get online certified so I can teach online courses too (This one is in the works). Start doing trainings through my own rather than just through organizations? Get National Board Certified? Hmph.  So many ideas.  I must edit them down.  What are your goals? Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?  If you know me in the real world, where do you see me in the next 5 years? 

Time-Out Tuesday Each Tuesday we will take time out of the classroom to learn about each other. So this weekend I found yet another reason to run.  It is a place called Duck Donuts.  One just opened in Virginia Beach. All of my Facebook friends have been posting pictures of boxes of donuts.  I'm thinking "what's wrong with these weirdos I'm friends with?!?" So I had to try them.  Of course I snapped a pic before I tried them (because apparently we all like to look at what we ate later as if to explain the extra two inches). The picture does it no justice.  I may have tried a bite in the parking lot and decided to sit in front of a closed business, on the ground, with a box of donuts in my lap, eating half the box.  As I exclaimed to strangers as they pulled up how good they were.  And the were delish! My favorite was the chocolate frosted.  Yummy!

Time-Out Tuesday Each Tuesday we will take time out of the classroom to learn about each other. So this post was going to be about something completely different.  Then I saw this... Yeah, that is right I saw a giant duck!  A local museum had it as part of the reopening week.  It.Was.Awesome! Pictures don't do it justice.  Everyone there was smiling ear to ear.  I was impressed with interactions of the people there too!  Normally when you begin to get a crowd of people gathered they start to push others out of the way and get cranky. This event had people in the best mood!  Everyone was moving for one another and offering to take pictures.  This was definitely one of my favorite local experiences.  From now on when I drive past that area I will think about the giant rubber duck. Be jealous.

Time-Out Tuesdays Each Tuesday we will take time out of the classroom to learn about each other. I love to (attempt to) grow my own veggies in the warm months.   I look forward to it each year.   This year was no different.   It was a rough winter in more than one way and I was so happy to have the warmth finally return. Last year I housed my container garden on my Grammy's porch.   She passed away this past November and the garden has come to be yet another reminder of her.   I'd like to think that it is doing so well this year because she has been watching over it from afar. We planted two types of tomatoes, green peppers, banana peppers, yellow squash, cucumber, spinach, and lettuce.   They are all doing so well this year!   Last year we had a rotten start and didn't near harvest until mid-June.   I think the lettuce and spinach will be good to go soon!   Banana Pepper Lettuce Tomato Bell Pepper Spinach ...

Time-Out Tuesdays Each Tuesday we will take time out of the classroom to learn about each other. I wasn’t always a runner.   I wanted to be a runner in high school, but I spent so much time with NJROTC that I didn’t have the time to join the track team (not that I would have made it!).   I always felt a strange desire to run despite my life-long inability to even make the mile run in school without stopping.   Flash forward to the fall of 2009.   I had recently lost 80 pounds and decided I wanted to try something new.   Then in my mail I received a letter about a charitable organization, Team in Training.   As a participant you raise money for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society and they provide you with a running coach and support while you train for an event.   They will coordinate and pay your way to the event as well.   When I signed up for TNT I couldn’t make it half a mile without stopping.   I would be completely winded and...

Time-Out Tuesdays Each Tuesday we will take time out of the classroom to learn about each other. Hello Friends! My name is Elizabeth Merce (sounds like nurse).   I started this blog to share my love of all things related to education. I earned my Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University in August 2008 and my Master’s of Education in May 2009, also from ODU.   Go Big Blue! I have taught age 3 to Kindergarten.    I was encouraged to teach continuing education courses at my facility which led to my relationship with non-profits in my area where I now teach for early educators in my region.   I am active with my local NAEYC chapter, SEAEYC.   I have taught at our SEAEYC conference, Raising the Bar every year since 2010 and at VAECE each year since 2011. Looking for new challenges I began teaching at Tidewater Community College in Fall 2013.   I love looking at the connection between brain development and classroom practice and I ho...