Adam Chiocca shares and blogs here.

Good to be back. I have been wanting to be a mentor to a new teacher, and so recently completed the required coursework for this assignment. I got to meet my new protege today, and she seems great. Since I'm about 10 years her senior, I have realized that I won't have any problem giving some decent nuggets of wisdom, regarding challenges teachers face. The hallway floors all look shiny and clean, and I'm glad to feel that excitement for a new school year (2010 - 2011). See ya~

Hi. So... it's Sunday, 8/15/10 , and I was just checking my email. Turns out that my last post actually got me some feedback. Yeah... ummm... so I wrote last week that it is sometimes hard to be able to get all the teaching supplies you want. Most teachers spend some out-of-pocket money every summer, and I was lamenting that I still need some 12-14 copies of a book. I was going to turn to Amazon.com, but maybe some nice-hearted volunteer might want to help me out. Well... it doesn't hurt to ask. I need 12-14 copies of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach . I also am looking to find 12-14 copies of Roald Dahl's The BFG . In case you might be able to track these down... or want to help purchase these, please contact me at MistaChocka@gmail.com Thanks!

Here are my boys at a local NH beach. Ahhh... summer in New England. Sooo... thought I should share one common challenge many teachers face. Our budgets as per our subjects, classes or grade levels don't usually cover all that a teacher may dream about using for an upcoming school year. For example, I always get extra back-to-school supplies for all the students to use, as well as other materials I want. I have been busy scouring book stores, yard sales and discounted public library book sales. However, it's now mid-August 2010, and I still want 10-12 more copies of a novel I plan to use. Looks like I'm turning to Amazon.com. Oh well... at least I won't pay the full retail price. Too bad there isn't a web site called "Free-books-for-teachers.com" I can dream, right?

Well... it's August now, 2010, and I am reminded as to why summer vacations are actually very important for teachers. It certainly allows you time to "recharge your batteries" as we say. And... since I teach ESL-ELL, and am aware of how often we all use (or overuse) idioms, I like to clarify. "Recharge your batteries" doesn't actually have to do with batteries, but is used to express the idea that people are like electronic devices in some way; and that we can get "low" on power or energy. Summer is a good time to rest, relax and recharge our minds, souls and bodies. I just had a great chat with a fellow teacher, and she feels the same way. Ok... see ya soon~