I accidentally came across it. My daughter is a big fan of The Purse Forum and I figured there must be one out there for teachers. I Googled "teacher forum" and this one looked most interesting, I've been hooked ever since!!
I learned about it back in '04 when I was still working on my BA. I found AtoZ to help me with an assignment, then started reading the forums. I lurked for about a year before I registered, and I didn't really post much until 06.
I think I googled free worksheets and a link for this form came up. I still didn't know what it was until I scrolled down.
I can't remember, for sure. I think I googled something for worksheets, too. For one of my SPED classes we had to share our favorite websites, and more than half the class picked this one <3
I don't remember the details but found a-z a long time ago and made an account but never used it, or maybe posted once or something. I came again a year later, and started posting regularly. So it LOOKS like I have been active longer than I have. I just post a lot. (I also changed my name because the first time I joined I didn't know what a forum even was! I used the name of my school!)
I think I found it by googling teacher forums too. Thank goodness I did! This place is my saving grace.
I don't know what I googled. I wasn't even really good at finding info on the web - this was either 2001 or 2002 - yet. I was really surprised to find AtoZ, surprised such a resource existed. Sometimes I'm still surprised at how wonderful it is!
I used to do Weight Watchers online, and there was a teacher thread. I gained back about 14 of the 21 pounds I lost a year ago, and I was looking for a free support forum. Serendipity!
I must have googled teacher forums. I've tried others, but I like this set-up so much better, that I don't go anywhere else.
Stumbled upon it doing a web search, looking for lesson ideas on different things. Have since used it for countless ideas in my classroom. This forum is absolutely fabulous! When you bring together innovative educators and a plethora of creative ideas, you can't help but be impressed by what A to Z has to offer.
We were required to explore a teacher forum as part of one of my technology classes in college. This one was the most interesting. I came back later on, joined, and have been hooked ever since.
I think that I was searched for something like "teacher job search" and this is what popped-up. I lurked for quite awhile and then I decided to join.
I think I was looking for information on a job search. I didn't get a job that year, but I really can thank atoz for lots of help in getting a job the following year. I have really been posting a lot more this past year.
I belong to a number of other fora, and when I was finishing up my master's, I was looking for one specifically about teaching. I think I probably googled & found it. Voila!
I was looking for some preschool lesson plans for a class I was taking, and came across this site. I saw the forums and read them for awhile before I posted.
I came across it through research, and it is also mentioned in the First Year of Teaching survival guide.
I was looking for classroom management ideas for a class I was taking in college, and signed up. It didn't really post anything much the first year, just came on occasionally, when I wasn't in school and was bored. Now I have to be nosy a couple of times a day!
I was actually looking for lesson plans about the Middle Ages for a friend whose computer went down. I was having a horrible time finding anything. One of the links was for A-Z and I made my way to the forums. I looked around for about 30 minutes before registering and opening a thread asking for help. The response was amazing, and I was hooked. Now you'll never be able to get rid of me.
I'd found a christian forum that I really like and had been a member of for a year and to find that one I'd just googled "christian forum" so at the beginning of my junior year of college, I was starting to sign for professional organizations and I wanted to find a teaching forum so I figured I do the same thing. So I googled teacher forum and A to Z popped up. I immediately signed up and slowly began to post, but I read a lot before I really got active in posting. I love here though. Everyone's friendly and helpful!
I am part of a working moms forum (71 ladies who have been together for nearly 10 years now), and one of them mentioned belonging to a professional-type site forum (for nurses). I thought, "there HAS to be something like this for teachers," so I googled and here I am! I think this was almost 3 years ago?? I have to check my profile and see. Kim
Is A to Z considered an orginazation one could list on a resume? I don't belong to any other org like Kappa or anything.
I honestly don't remember! I'm sure I came across it while searching another forum or I heard about it at a workshop! The brain and memory are still on summer vacation!!
I believe I did a lesson plan search for something, but I can't remember now. I love this site too, although I tend to be much more active during the summers. I am too exhausted during the school year...but occasionally stop by then too.
I used it as a resource and had no idea it was a forum. Eventually I got a clue and have been hooked ever since.
Google. I was running a search and it pulled up the forum site, then I discovered the rest of the sites blessings.
I was looking for interview question help so I found this and read all the old threads. The advice was so good that I got a job and finally joined up. Thanks for all the help everyone!
I found out about this forum when I was thinking about going to school to get my teaching certificate. At the time I was debating between elementary education or high school math. I chose math and am quite happy that I did.
I was venting to my brother on the phone about how noone really understands how I feel - having so much to do to get ready for the new year, or they don't have time to really listen, and he suggested a teacher chat room. I told him I didn't really know how to do that - have tried unsuccessfully in the past, and the next thing I knew he was on his computer and he found this site. I took the info. and tried it - and I've been hooked ever since!!
