My name is Julianne Diiacova and this is officially my first blog ever. Admittedly, I feel a bit out of my comfort zone using this format but I hope that that discomfort will help me grow as an educator. Even though I am taking this class to complete my master's degree, I also want become more savvy in the world of technology and use it in my classroom more.
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| Last Halloween with my crazy team. (Personal Photo) |
Currently, I am a 4th grade math teacher at Melrose Park School, in Maywood School District 89. I have been a classroom teacher for 18 years, in that same district. I absolutely love teaching the intermediate grades. I don't ever see myself not being a classroom teacher. Last school year, my district decided to departmentalize the 4th and 5th
grades, I love it! It really allows me to hone my craft and I get to work
with more kids. In addition, I am part of an amazing 4th grade team of
teachers, 6 of us, and we really work well together. (Really!)
In addition to being a classroom teacher, I have also been active in the IEA (Illinois Education Association) and our local affiliate the Maywood Education Association. I have served as building rep, grievance chair, Region 29 Rep and Region 29 Chair. I believe that when you advocate for teachers, you're are advocating for our students.
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| My husband Joey and I at dinner on our first cruise. (Personal Picture) |
Personally, things have been very challenging for me. In December 2017, I lost my husband, Joey, to Stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 49. He fought very hard for 8 months. We were married for 14.5 years. Besides being dedicated to my profession, I am also dedicated to my healing. I've been very fortunate to be surrounded by family, friends and fur babies who really love and support me. In addition to their support, I have found an amazing community, online, of other young widows. This includes their blogs. Which is what also interested me in taking this class. I've been reading different blogs of other widows and I feel so connected with them, their pain, and what they have gone through. These connections have helped me sort out my own pain.
I don't want to end this on a sad note. So I'll add in a bit of cuteness, my fur babies. Yes, I'm a crazy cat lady! I look forward to reading your posts and getting to know all of you.
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| Skitter and Misses ( Personal Picture) |
Hi Julianne. I love teaching the intermediate grades in a departmentalized setting as well. I used to teach in self-contained rooms and feel that some subjects suffered because I would spend more time on others. I have become a better teacher now that I have been able to focus on several subjects as opposed to all of them. I am able to spend more time incorporating technology into my lessons. I am hoping to learn a lot more technology through courses like this in order to provide an even better learning experience for my students.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you work well with your team as it certainly makes a world of difference when teachers can collaborate and support each other. I am also fortunate to work with a supportive team.
Thank you for sharing about your husband. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I am glad that you have found some comfort in reading blogs from other widows. I never thought of blogs before as being therapeutic, but I can understand the power in connecting with others from around the world who have experienced something similar to what you have.
I look forward to getting to know you more and sharing ideas with you.
Hi Julianne,
ReplyDeleteYou aren't far from me! I live in Oak Park and I work in River Forest. Wow. 18 years in teaching at the same school! I really hope to find a school that I can spend my whole career at. The teacher I worked with last year worked at 9 schools over the course of her 20 year career and I thought of how many times she had to reestablish relationships -both with fellow teachers and the students- and really hope I don't have to do that. I also loved reading about how supportive your 4th grade is and how collaborative all of you are. I've seen first hand how much affects the learning environment (in a good way).
I am so sorry to hear about your husband. It broke my heart to read that. But thank you for being so open to sharing that with everyone. My family has three family members battling cancer at the moment - one of them being my mom who has breast cancer - and I wish you some much deserved peace and comfort.
Thank you so much for sharing all that with everyone!