All About Mrs. Rombach

Hellooooooo.

I’m Mrs. Martha Rombach (pronounced Rom – Bok), and I’m an eighth-grade English and Communications teacher in Northern Virginia. After a three-year hiatus, I’m back in the blogosphere with my 8th grade Raven Rockstars! To provide a glimpse of who I am in and out of the classroom, here are SIX things that make me “me.”

(1) I’m a mom of five really cool humans. I’m super proud to say that they all made it successfully through 8th grade. There’s Shelby, 25, a tech sales rep and adventure-seeking dog mom based in Denver, CO. Then Cullen, 23, a local software developer who’s mega into Magic the Gathering. Middle child Bryan, 21, is a UVA fourth year (senior in UVA speak), a hardware engineer, and a triathlete. Cady, 19, also at UVA, is a kid-loving writer and fearless world traveler. Sean, 16, runs year-round for Loudoun County HS and spends a large swath of time bike riding or playing Frisbee. Okay, so truth telling here. Being a mom is a big part of who I am, so please understand if a occasionally sound like your mom. We moms have a lot in common.

 (2) Music was my matchmaker, and it’s still uber essential to my emotional well-being. I met my husband, Mike, on the dance floor at a college party. Still today, you might catch me busting a move in the kitchen or classroom. I may look goofy, and–if I’m singing–it’ll definitely be off key, but this is me. Music is my jam. That’s why every class will have its own playlist. “That’s the way, uh huh, uh huh, I like it.”

(3) I’m an outsider. While I’m fearful of heights, I like to climb mountains. I’ll skip swinging my legs over the edge, or even getting within 10 feet of the cliffside, but I’ll scramble over rocks or hike long, winding trails to experience the views that no photo can emulate. (Sorry, iPhone!) I just love being outside. Whenever I need a pick-me-up, it’s outside I go to watch the butterflies, listen to birds, or watch the clouds tumble overhead.

(4) I’m a book nerd. I will always have one book in the hand and one at the ready. I’ll read anything that’s well-written, but especially clamor for the latest and greatest YA titles. If you don’t love reading, um, let’s talk. I’ve got a book for you! Why do I love reading? It’s an escape into someone else’s world. It’s the chance to meet people who don’t look like or think like me (key for understanding others). Plus, what’s better than stretching out, iced Starbucks Sweet Cream Cold Brew in hand, and forget everything except the story that’s unfolding on the pages between your fingers. Pure bliss.

(5) I’m a word collector. I pay attention to vocabulary. I’m fascinated by how authors and musicians create a living tapestry with the words they choose. When I don’t know a word, which happens quite often, I look it up. Thank goodness Siri knows everything.

(6) My past careers inform my present one. Before I was a teacher, I was an illustrator, photographer, copywriter, promotion manager, and public relations professional. I worked at Richmond Newspapers, People Magazine, Yankee Magazine, and a pharmaceutical company. I’ve been writing since I was in elementary school, and, even today, I come alive tapping out words on a keyboard. I’m passionate about helping my students find their voice, knitting together technically sound copy with a young writer’s personality and passions.

Thanks for stopping by my classroom blog to read a little bit about me. Leave me a comment and a link to your blog, so I can return the visit! 🙂

 

Mrs. Martha Rombach

Eighth-Grade English & Communications Teacher

Print Friendly, PDF & Email