Hello, hello! Nice to meet ya!

Hi all! Welcome to my blog!

My name is Sylvia Gacek, and I am excited that you are here to read all about social media in the educational world!

    Just a little bit about myself: Teaching is and has been my passion ever since I was a little girl (so cliche, I know!). I graduated from Illinois State University in 2017 (Go Redbirds!) and was able to sub long-term for a semester at Central High School in Elgin, IL. Following my subbing, I found my now 2nd home, Morton East! I am an English teacher at Morton East High School in Cicero, IL. This is my 3rd year teaching here and I absolutely adore it. Fun fact: I was hired in the middle of September, a month after school already began. It was definitely an awkward transition at first, but it all worked out, and had an amazing first year teaching despite the challenges. I recently completed my ESL endorsement as well, so I am super excited to work with our ELL population to help them develop their English language in the classroom!

    When it comes to social media, I am not the most engaged with it. I am on platforms and I use it from time to time, but I am not one to spend hours on my phone scrolling through the feeds.

    The one I use the most would be my FaceBook page. Here is where I publish moods, accomplishments, and just updates in my life for those who care to read can engage with me! Like many other teachers, I use a different name to prevent my students from finding me. Silvia is my former spelling before realizing Sylvia was actually the proper spelling (long story) and Joann is my confirmation name (I don't have a middle name!). I recently also "cleaned out my friend list" from the people who either always annoyed me with their posts, or simply people I do not talk to or know very well. My profile picture is my favorite photo from my fiance and I's engagement shoot! The cover photo I use is a close-up of my shiny ring hehe. One thing you will also note is that I always say I am a CF warrior and an optimist in my bios. CF stands for cystic fibrosis- a genetic condition that I battle on a daily basis. Despite everything, I always remain strong and look at life in an optimistic way! Feel free to view my FaceBook page! 

Image source: screenshot from Gacek's FaceBook page.

    Instagram would be the next social media platform I use the most. Here is where I simply post photos and updates where my followers can also see if we are not friends on FaceBook. Again, not a large following because I only like to connect with people I know or are close with. I also mainly use it to follow influencers and businesses I want to support. At times I like to watch the reels and enjoy dog or baby videos! I have a corgi named Snickers (I show her off way too much...oops) I use the name Pumpkin because that is what my fiance calls me.. (laaame I know). I also like to say I am a proud Polak, since I am 100% Polish. My profile photo is just a mirror selfie of me I recently took for a positive body image post! I am more open to followers on IG than FaceBook so feel free to follow me on my personal Instagram account! 

Image source: screenshot from Gacek's personal Instagram account.

    I do also have a "professional" Instagram account for students to follow me and I try to post things on occasions that my former students will see to update them on how I am doing. I also like to use it to keep in touch with my former students. I may open this up to my current students. I don't use this account AS much since I am not a huge social media user. It's nice to have for those moments. If anyone has any ideas on how I can use my school IG account to engage with the school community, I'd love to hear your ideas! My profile picture here is me in my classroom: classic! the sgacek241 is my first initial, last name, and room number at Morton East! I would love it if you would all follow me on my teacher Instagram account so we can share ideas!

Image source: screenshot from Gacek's teacher Instagram account.

    So, I actually do not use Twitter at all. I have a teacher account, but it's pretty baren with activity: Gacek_Meast (Gacek for me and Meast is short for Morton East). I follow mostly news companies for Journalism (I teach it!) as well as the official J Sterling Morton 201 Twitter account. My profile picture is the same as my teacher IG, and the cover photo is of an elephant dunking its head into the water: because 1) I love elephants, and 2) this is just a current mood I am sure all of us are in! I have never gotten into Tweeting- I know it's a popular way for teachers and schools to engage with the community. Maybe I should open up to it! Any thoughts on this? Would love some feedback about how Twitter has helped you all: so, let's Tweet together!

Image source: screenshot from Gacek's teacher Twitter account