Mac vs. PC

I'm desperately in the market for a laptop. I currently only have an iPad and I use a PC at school, but I have no personal computer. I am limiting my technological, creative, and professional capabilities by not
purchasing one. Times are tough, however I am still very interested in getting a MacBook Pro. Along with my laptop, I want to purchase Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. With all of these combined, I'm looking at a hefty bill.

Apple offers an education discount so that reduces my costs, but then I'd like to add memory since I always run out. My total not including software purchases will be $1089. And even though that's a great price for what I want... Is it really worth the huge splurge?

Part of me is considering just getting a temporary laptop from a different brand because I'm uncomfortable with spending over $1000 on a computer. The only time I ever spent over $1000 was when I paid my security deposit for my apartment.

My question is, in your opinion, is a Mac worth the splurge or will I be satisfied with a different brand? If so, what brand/style?

Teaching Tip of the Day - Inspirational Quotes Slideshow

I came across this concept on accident:  I was teaching a lesson with my SMART board and I didn't touch the board for a few minutes so my picture slideshow started without me knowing.  (My back was to the board).  I noticed that students seemed really engaged in what I was saying and what I had on the board.  Awesome. Every teacher's dream come true. Except they weren't engaged in exactly what I thought they were.

Students were eyeing my personal and professional photo slideshow.  I have personal photos to establish a relationship with students if they happen to see them and I have professional photos such as pictures of inspiring quotes/funny teaching quotes.  Since students seemed so interested in what was in my picture folder, I added more inspirational quotes.

I add more when I come across ones I like.  Follow my most current inspirational quotes on my Pinterest Board: Education Posters.  But I recently came across this and laughed a little out loud because even at the high school level, it still happens. Take a look:

Teaching Tip of the Day- Text your Students

My teaching life has been changed for the better now that I can contact students through text message. Most people are glued to their phone all day long. How many of you shower with your phone in the bathroom? It's just a habit to have our phones available.

I needed a method to infiltrate students' most precious devices. I found a way with Remind 101. Remind101.com is a free service that allows teachers to get an account and create up to ten class groups. Each group gets its own code to text. Once they text the code to the appropriate number, they have to reply to the welcome text with only their name.

Any texts you send out through the website or the app can go directly to them the moment you type the message or can be scheduled for a better time. For example, I don't text students when they aren't in my class. I schedule the texts to send right after school or later (after dinner...7).

This isn't just for students with phones; parents can sign up for texts and students without phones can sign up for "texts" through email. Directions are on the site. The site also has printable direction handouts to distribute to students. Students can't text you back either (just in case you were wondering).

Since using this site, students' homework completion rates have gone up (even in the last marking period) and students request me to send them texts.

Let me know how it works for you!

Deal of the Day- Free VS underwear

How would you like to get 5 VS underwear for free? I did yesterday, and couldn't be happier! I had to return/exchange one underwear from a previous 5/$26 deal. That's the only one I technically bought.

2 underwears (Yes that's what I call them) were sitting around for some time still in the bag from "free panty" cards that VS distributes. They didn't fit right/ at all so I asked if I could exchange them for an even priced item. They said yes.

1 was from another free panty card and 1 was from the semi annual sale bin priced at $7.99. I didn't spend $7.99 though and used the "get $10 off any purchase" coupon. I lost out on a few dollars by not using the full $10 but I actually saved by not exceeding the $10 limit and not having to pay the difference out of pocket. Feel free to do the same! The coupon I'm referencing expires June 9th.

Relevancy to teaching: Our lifestyle as teachers has to be budgeted and monitored. If there's an opportunity to get free quality underwear, we all should be doing it. In addition, I find VS underwear is the best to wear daily/at school because the brand fits well. When underwear fits well, your entire outfit fits well.

Project of the Day - New Flower

Steve obtained this gorge flower bundle for me to replace the dead lavender.

I've been loving fresh flowers in the house :)

OOTD- Navy Ruffle Dress

Dress- Gap
Nude sandals- ??
Watch- Francesca's
Belt- From pants from Charlotte Russe

I love this easy to wear ruffle navy dress. I can pair it with so many shoes/ accessories and it's light weight- perfect for my 100* classroom.

OOTD- Blue/Pink Contrast

Top- Marshalls
Pants- Francesca's
Watch- Francesca's

I love this blue sleeveless top. Since I like to pair something sleeveless with pants, I chose these pretty pink pants to be precise. I had to use alliteration there. Sorry. I paired this look with nude snake skin strappy sandals.

Anyway, I love the contrast of these colors and although they're both rich, they work well with this warm spring weather.