Cue the Rocky Theme Music!

I used to be a pretty avid runner. Currently I'm on a two year hiatus that I keep telling myself will end any day now, but that's another topic for another day. Getting up early on a weekend for a long run requires a certain amount of mental prep. My husband will tell you that when I am training for a race, he is often annoyed at 5am by the sounds of Survivor singing, The Eye of The Tiger. Yup. You heard me. It's my theme music. It makes me feel like I can win the day. I will own that run.

If this blog post could have music attached to it, I would totally play some Eye of The Tiger for you. 

For all of my Dallas area friends, here is a list of local trainings coming straight to you guaranteed to stir up your inner Rocky. Climb those steps, girlfriend! Punch the air. Raise your hands in victory. Get your learn on. 

Gretchen Bernabei's Grammar and Writing Development Through the Year and For STAAR

Suz, Gretchen, and me: a living pitchfork!
(You'll get the joke if you go to the training!)

October 23rd and 24th

Our favorite Texas writing teacher will be hosting a two day workshop at the Richardson Civic Center. You'll receive the two books that I use most on any given week--Fun Size Academic Writing and Grammar Keepers. You'll learn so much, and this training can honestly change the way you think about writing instruction. 

Writing Reboot with the Amazing Barry Lane

November 15th

Join Barry (also at the Richardson Civic Center) and recapture the joy in teaching writing and help kids succeed on STAAR while still writing with an authentic voice. It sounds like a tall order, but if anyone can do it he can!

This is me as a complete fangirl, standing next
to a VERY tall Jeff Anderson.

Jeff Anderson's 10 Things Every Writer Needs To Know

October 25th

You will absolutely fall in love with Jeff Anderson and his approach to grammar instruction and the way that he values the writing that kids bring to the table. His invaluable book 10 Things... will anchor the learning for the day, but I'm sure you'll walk away with way more than 10 things!

Dallas friends, if you can make it to any one of these trainings, let me know how it goes! Suz and I will likely be at the October Gretchen conference and we would LOVE to see you! #EyeOfTheTiger