Someone New Sunday

This week I would like to introduce a fellow Tennessean! I can't help but be partial to my bloggers from my home state! Today I would like you to meet Mr. Smedley from:

Smedley's Smorgasboard of Kindergarten

How long have you been teaching?

6 years, 3 in kindergarten

What is your teaching "style"?

My style involves a lot of hands on, interactive learning. We do a lot of art projects to reinforce our learning and we use technology from the time we arrive until we go home. My classroom is a family of scholars who are always working together, talking about learning and teaching each other. Of course we sing, dance, laugh and have way too much fun as we explore our world!

What is your most memorable teaching moment?

My first year in kindergarten I had a little girl who had months of severe head lice and had missed a lot of school.  She knew what was going on and would tell me, "Mr. Smedley, I don't want to go home" anytime we'd have to send her home. After this had gone on for months, I got a phone call from the office. My student was in the office crying because her mom had resorted to shaving her hair off as a solution. The child was devastated. She came to class wearing a hat, crawled in my lap and sobbed. I sent her on an "errand" and had a talk with the class. We talked about how sometimes mom and dad do things we don't like and we just have to do it. We read "Hooway for Wodney Wat" and talked about being different. As we were talking, one of my babies raised her hand and says, "Mr. Smedley, she's still the same Becky, right?" I said of course she was and my friend replied, "Then we still love her the same as we always did." And for the rest of the week we all wore hats to support our friend. The next day when she came to school and walked into class to see us all wearing hats, her face lit up because she knew she was among friends.

Why do you blog?

I decided to start blogging to share my ideas and experiences and eventually my creations. I bring a very unique perspective because I'm a male in a female dominated world. I want to share that perspective and hopefully inspire others. I also want to share the amazing things that happen in our inner city classroom to dispel rumors and expectations that inner city schools are all bad.

Where else can we find you?

Make sure to visit his newly opened TPT store and check out his Monstrously Good Behavior freebie

And please be sure to stop by and visit his blog.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Sunday afternoon!