Jill Tanner pictureName? Jill Tanner

Current position? 6th Grade Special Education Teacher

How long have you been in education? 33 years

What’s a little known fact about you? Our two children gave my husband and me a seven day cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary – both worked a second job, while in college, to pay for the cruise. I am blessed.

When does your job feel the hardest? Paperwork days….deadlines.

What helps you get through those hard days? Thinking of family and the end of the day.

What makes your heart sing as a teacher? Smiling students whose light bulbs went off.

Can you describe a recent day or moment like that? Explaining how to find perimeter and areas: I utilized pictures, as the formulas had no meaning to the kids and they got it!!

Who was your favorite teacher and why? Mr. Sams – he had a great sense of humor.

Five items you can’t teach without? Wit, humor, thinking five steps ahead, heart, and the drive to achieve.

Three books you would recommend to a fellow teacher? Any Harry Wong book, such as The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher, Randall S. Sprick’s Discipline in the Secondary Classroom: A Positive Approach to Behavior Management, and Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.

Social Media/On-Line teaching tools: What are 2-3 sites that you use to support your teaching? ReadWorks.org, MobyMax.com, Plurk.com

What is your favorite app you use as a teacher? Power Teacher

Best teaching advice you ever got? Never take anything a student says in anger or frustration personally.

Advice you would give to a new teacher or something you learned that you wished had known earlier in your career? Never, never, never take home school work on the weekends. Friday after school to Monday morning is family/self-time, period – live by it.

What do you do to recharge? Read and water aerobics.

Poem or quote that you love? Life is good.

Thanks Jill!

Now it’s your turn – answer the questions below and send them to teachingwithheartfirepoetry@gmail.com.

Teaching with Heart Interview Questions

  1. Name?
  2. Current position?
  3. How long have you been in education?
  4. What’s a little known fact about you?
  5. When does your job feel the hardest? What helps you get through those hard days?
  6. What makes your heart sing as a teacher? Can you describe a recent day or moment like that?
  7. Who was your favorite teacher and why?
  8. Five items you can’t teach without?
  9. Three books you would recommend to a fellow teacher?
  10. Social Media/On-Line teaching tools: What are 2-3 sites that you use to support your teaching? What is your favorite app you use as a teacher?
  11. Best teaching advice you ever got?
  12. Advice you would give to a new teacher or something you learned that you wished had known earlier in your career?
  13. What do you do to recharge?
  14. Poem or quote that you love?

Please include a photo. It would be great to have one of you at work in your classroom or office (if you include others, please make sure you have their permission to post the picture) or a selfie will do. Thanks!