Our #Read4Fun reading hero this week is the extraordinary Stacey Lindes! Stacey is a Teacher Resource Specialist for Technology in Central New Jersey. In her current position, she works in a 4th and 5th grade school supporting the 1:1 GAFE program. A two time graduate from The College of New Jersey, Stacey earned a her MAT in Elementary Education. Since that time, Stacey has taught 2nd, 3rd, and, most recently, 1st grades and has experience in preschool and 4th and 5th grades. Stacey is also the founder of #PodcastPD, a weekly Twitter chat that takes place Sunday evenings at 8:30pm eastern. She looks for ways to connect and learn from all sources of media, including podcasts, audio books and ebooks. This fall, Stacey is excited to connect her teachers and their students to other classroom via the Global Read Aloud and International Dot Day. Stacey is a dedicated runner and says she enjoys using the "alone time" to reflect on education, changes in technology, and the practical marriage of the two. Having completed multiple half marathons (including the Trenton and Disney Princess Half Marathons) and numerous 5Ks, Stacey has had many miles during which to have "running reflections" and "running thoughts". Stacey has been a true reading hero at #Read4Fun from the very start! She brings an enthusiasm for reading and for connecting as an educator! Her positive and motivating outlook brings us all joy as we all seem to know she is on the other end of chats with a happy and encouraging smile as our #Read4Fun friend! Here Stacey tells us about her journey in reading and in the #Read4Fun community:
What has been your favorite experience from participating in the #Read4Fun Chat?
My favorite experience from #Read4Fun has been the conversation and the connection. Books have ALWAYS been an important part of my life and I love that I am able to share my thoughts and ideas about what I am reading and get book recommendations from a wide variety of people who have different interests and passions, but love books as much as I do.
What four words describe your #Read4Fun reading identity?
Avid, effusive, passionate, diverse.
What book or character from a book has most impacted you in your life?
I would have to say that I noticed a significant shift in my reading reading as an adult when I discovered the Harry Potter series in grad school. From the first chapter, I was HOOKED! I quickly read the first four books (the only books available at the time) and wrote an entire paper centered around the series. From there, I went on to listen to the Jim Dale versions of the audio books. This was the first time I had listened to a "book-on-tape" since I was a kid, waiting for the "beep" letting me know it was time to turn the page. Dale's reading of Harry Potter is nothing short of brilliant, literally bringing the characters to life! The audio versions of Harry Potter have inspired me to consume other literature through audio books. My favorites are still children's books; I highly recommend the audio versions of the Percy Jackson series. JK Rowling reopened the door to children's literature in a way that no author could have for me at the time. She rekindled my love of kid's books and ignited my interest in fantasy (a genre I had zero interest in reading prior to her stories). She also made it "cool" for kids to talk about books and reading, something that has continued around her books and many others nearly 2 decades later. By the way, my favorite character is Professor Snape. He is a highly developed character with a multitude of complexities. He is the benchmark for character development!
How has #Read4Fun influenced you as an educator?
I love that #Read4Fun has reinvigorated my love of reading! I love the conversations that take place via Twitter and Voxer! I also love the community that has formed! I know I can turn to my read for fun friends for a book rec, to gain insight on a book, to start a Voxer book club. The ideas are endless with this group!
Who would you like to invite to take the #Read4Fun Challenge?
Natalie Krayenvenger @NKrayenvenger
Mandy Casto @ThatMathLady
Oona Abrams @oonziela
Melissa Morris @mmorriswrite
Laura Agnella @lagnella
You can connect with Stacey during our #Read4Fun chats and also on Twitter at @iruntech. Also, be sure to join Stacey and her pals Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco Sunday evenings at 8:30pm EDT at the #PodcastPD Twitter Chat!
What has been your favorite experience from participating in the #Read4Fun Chat?
My favorite experience from #Read4Fun has been the conversation and the connection. Books have ALWAYS been an important part of my life and I love that I am able to share my thoughts and ideas about what I am reading and get book recommendations from a wide variety of people who have different interests and passions, but love books as much as I do.
What four words describe your #Read4Fun reading identity?
Avid, effusive, passionate, diverse.
What book or character from a book has most impacted you in your life?
I would have to say that I noticed a significant shift in my reading reading as an adult when I discovered the Harry Potter series in grad school. From the first chapter, I was HOOKED! I quickly read the first four books (the only books available at the time) and wrote an entire paper centered around the series. From there, I went on to listen to the Jim Dale versions of the audio books. This was the first time I had listened to a "book-on-tape" since I was a kid, waiting for the "beep" letting me know it was time to turn the page. Dale's reading of Harry Potter is nothing short of brilliant, literally bringing the characters to life! The audio versions of Harry Potter have inspired me to consume other literature through audio books. My favorites are still children's books; I highly recommend the audio versions of the Percy Jackson series. JK Rowling reopened the door to children's literature in a way that no author could have for me at the time. She rekindled my love of kid's books and ignited my interest in fantasy (a genre I had zero interest in reading prior to her stories). She also made it "cool" for kids to talk about books and reading, something that has continued around her books and many others nearly 2 decades later. By the way, my favorite character is Professor Snape. He is a highly developed character with a multitude of complexities. He is the benchmark for character development!
How has #Read4Fun influenced you as an educator?
I love that #Read4Fun has reinvigorated my love of reading! I love the conversations that take place via Twitter and Voxer! I also love the community that has formed! I know I can turn to my read for fun friends for a book rec, to gain insight on a book, to start a Voxer book club. The ideas are endless with this group!
Who would you like to invite to take the #Read4Fun Challenge?
Natalie Krayenvenger @NKrayenvenger
Mandy Casto @ThatMathLady
Oona Abrams @oonziela
Melissa Morris @mmorriswrite
Laura Agnella @lagnella
You can connect with Stacey during our #Read4Fun chats and also on Twitter at @iruntech. Also, be sure to join Stacey and her pals Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco Sunday evenings at 8:30pm EDT at the #PodcastPD Twitter Chat!