Introduction

 


Hello, everyone!

My name is Daniella Cozzi. I am finishing up a graduate degree at Dominican University this year. Even though I am at the end of my program, this is my first blogging experience, so I am excited to learn new technology skills that I can apply to my daily career. 

This school year marks my 4th year teaching English/Language Arts to the most incredible group of 7th graders. I could not be happier with my experience in the classroom so far. My school has a supportive administration team, student support services, etc. I am lucky to be a part of this staff. 



The GIF above accurately depicts the excitement and passion I have for my field and for this school year. I am so happy to be back in the classroom after a summer filled with fun and relaxation!

When I am not in the classroom, I am spending time with my large family. We love to hang out, watch movies, explore our town, etc. We always have fun no matter where we are! 

If I am not surrounded by the people mentioned above, you can find me reading just about anything. My favorite book series are Harry Potter and The Inheritance Games. I know many people are familiar with Harry Potter, but I feel as though The Inheritance Games has not gained the traction is rightfully deserves. If you are a reader, I urge you to check it out as the plot line is suspenseful and captivating. 

When I am not reading, I also love listening to music- especially the soundtrack to The Greatest Showman! In my opinion, that soundtrack is so lively and upbeat that the positive energy is contagious to all who are listening. Although I prefer that set of songs, I will listen to Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers, or any pop artist often as well.

In the picture above, you can see me standing in the middle of a shallow area of water. Over the summer, I explored the St. Paul and Minneapolis areas of Minnesota. I was able to see Mall of America, historical cathedrals, and even a waterfall! Although I was not necessarily dressed for a day of hiking, I made it work. I learned that day that I can do anything, even hiking, in a dress! If you would like more information on the opportunities available at Minnehaha Falls, please explore their website. 

Over the summer, I was also able to visit Springfield, Illinois. This trip was exceptional. What started out as a weekend to visit President Lincoln's tomb turned out to be an incredibly enlightening experience where I learned not only about our former President, but also about architecture, theatre, and even food! One of my favorite memories from this trip was touring the Dana-Thomas House. 

With all this being said, I am ready to continue this learning process with all of my new classmates. This course will be full of learning opportunities and chances for us educators to really dive into how technology can be integrated into the classroom. I look forward to reading the comments below to begin our conversations with one another. 

Wishing you all the best, 

Daniella Cozzi


Image Attributions:

1st Photo Source: Personal photo taken near Minnehaha Falls in Minnesota (original photograph). 

Gif Source: Minions Excited GIFs | Tenor

Comments

  1. NMZumpanoAugust 29, 2023 at 5:24 PM

    Thanks for the great introduction to who you are, both personally and professionally, Daniella. I'm excited to check out the links you posted. Although I've been to Springfield and Minnesota both places you mentioned are new to me. I'm looking forward to learning with you this fall.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pete DrinanSeptember 1, 2023 at 1:39 PM

    Hi Daniella! Congratulations on nearing the completion of your degree! I am about half way through my program and this is my first experience with blogging as well. I also come from a large family, but we are spread out across the country so we only get everyone together about once a year. I have never read "The Inheritance Games," but enjoyed "Harry Potter" so I will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing and best of luck this semester!

    ReplyDelete
  3. JWhiteSeptember 2, 2023 at 4:39 PM

    Hi Daniella! Congratulations on making it to the finish line, it could’ve been easy! There have been many horror stories about teachers being displeased and moving among school districts. Good job finding a school and students that you like and are supported. I love reading and listening to music as well. I absolutely adore The Greatest Showman soundtrack and A Million Dreams is my favorite song. My bestie lives in Minneapolis, so I’ve been many times. The Mall of America is awesome with the aquarium downstairs and game room upstairs; it’s a massive structure. I enjoyed reading your blog post.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Judi TSeptember 3, 2023 at 4:13 PM

    Hi Daniella,
    You must be so excited to be almost done with your graduate degree this year. Congrats!
    How are your classes shaping up for this year? I have my PEL in English/LA for 9-12 grade, but my cooperating teacher thought I would be a great fit for middle school. I was always curious about how different that environment would be.
    I love Harry Potter; that love was fostered by my 8th grade English teacher who assigned the 1st volume for us to read in class. If I didn't read it in that class, I don't know if I would have. I was a picky reader as a kiddo! But now I try to read a little bit of everything. The Inheritance Games has been on my radar for a while now; I'll definitely try to push it up on the reading list.
    I'm excited to learn with you in this class, and maybe down the line share more book recommendations, too!

    ReplyDelete

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