Last Friday, I used those oh-so-interesting student questions to come up with this FAQ sheet. They will be quizzed on it on Wednesday ;-)
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Ms. Bradley FAQs (and not-so-FAQs)
Do you like to read? What’s your favorite book?
Yes. I have several favorite novels, including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I also enjoy reading poetry. Nowadays, I tend to read non-fiction and magazines to learn new things or to discover new ways of looking at old things. Right now I’m reading Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury, an amazing writer.
What do you write?
I have kept a journal for most of my life since sixth grade. Usually, I write at least one poem a month. Sometimes I write essays about my life experiences, and I often blog on my church’s website. One of these days, I’d like to write a novel, though I don’t know if I’ll make it a priority anytime soon.
Do you like animals? What’s your favorite animal?
Yes, I do like animals. Although I don’t have any pets, I like watching for geckoes outside my apartment. I’m also curious about elephants, hummingbirds, dragonflies, and orcas.
Do you like bananas?
No, but I like fried plantains, which look like bananas. Some would say that I am bananas (yuk-yuk).
Why did you choose to teach sixth grade language arts?
I always enjoyed reading as a child, and I often wrote by choice as a teenager and young adult. Reading and writing, communicating in general, are things I want to encourage other people to do.
Why would you teach middle school?
I hated my junior high years, so I decided to teach pre-teens, to come to terms with that in a healthy way. Besides, you are never boring! I’ve grown and learned a lot through my middle school teaching. (I wrote a poem about it the other day; maybe I’ll share it with you sometime.)
How long have you been a teacher? How long have you been a teacher at Cross?
Not including practice teaching, this is my eighth year of teaching, my sixth year at Cross. Previously, I taught sixth grade at Toltec Middle School, which is just east of I-10 about halfway to Phoenix.
How long have you been a language arts teacher?
This is my sixth year of language arts teaching. I’ve also taught social studies and math.
Have you ever lived in Ireland?
No, but my great-grandparents came to the U.S. from Northern Ireland. I visited their hometown Ballymoney in 1997. Even before then, I felt a strong connection to the Irish side of my family.
What is your favorite color?
It’s hard to choose. For eyes, I like the color of coffee beans. For hair, I like auburn. For the sky, I like the color of twilight, about half an hour after sunset. For wall paint, I like cerulean blue. For clothes, I like black, chocolate brown, dark leafy green, turquoise, red, and pink.
Where were you born?
At Tucson Medical Center, on East Grant Road…same as my mother!
Where are you from?
Other than my years in Tucson, I’ve lived seven years in Spencer, Iowa; three in Columbia, Tennessee; four in Athens, Georgia; and two in Casa Grande, Arizona.
How many sisters and brothers do you have?
Two sisters and no brothers, but I do have a great brother-in-law. I’m the oldest of them all.
If you had $1,000,000, what would you buy?
Hmmm! First, I’d pay off my graduate school loan. Then I’d buy a small, but cute, house in Tucson and a grand piano. I’d fly myself, one of my sisters, and a couple of friends to see U2 (my favorite group) play live somewhere in Ireland. I’d adopt a dog, one that’s scruffy-looking but with a good personality. My cousin Camille will be starting college next year, and I’d help to pay her tuition. In case you’re wondering, I would not quit teaching altogether, but I might take a year off to work on music and to write. (An aside: I thought about the Barenaked Ladies song & mentioning "a lot more Kraft mac & cheese.")
Do you like teaching?
Yes, see above. (I would still do this job even if I didn’t need the money.)
Do you like Cross Middle School?
Yes…I’m still here, aren’t I?
Do you like having fun?
Of course, as long as it’s not too dangerous ;-)
What’s your favorite hobby outside of school?
I’m a musician. I have a collection of hundreds of CDs and have played the piano since I was eight years old. Currently I play keyboards and sing with two different bands, a group at my church called Skeptic Chickens--we don’t take ourselves very seriously--and another one called Buckshot Blu.
What is your favorite sport?
I’ve never participated in team sports, but I like going to UA basketball games with my dad. My favorite physical activities are dancing and hiking. (So why don’t I get out and do them more often?)
Why do you have a Napoleon Dynamite poster?
I watched the movie last winter and understood why several of my students had urged me to see it. I felt sorry for Napoleon, laughed at him, cringed at him, and rooted for him. For me, the most memorable scene featured tater tots… I hoped the poster would get your attention, and I think I was right.
Do you have any children?
Not yet. I’m surrogate aunt to several of my friends’ kids, though.
How old are you?
Do you realize that most American women don’t like to tell their age? However, I’ll give you a clue: I graduated from University High School in 1988.
Do you dye your hair?
This is a similar question to the one above. However, I’m happy to tell you that my hair coloring is 100% natural. So do you like it?
Are you pregnant?
Again, not a safe question. I’m actually one of the young teachers at Cross not about to have a baby. (And I think I need to go back to those boring abdominal crunches.)
Do you give homework on weekends?
Not usually, but would you like some?
Are you a kid inside?
Well, what do you think? | 
