Nominations for the 2012 Really Good Education Blog Awards are now over and for the next few weeks some amazing educators will look through the nominated blogs to pick the top five in each category.  We are pleased to introduce you to the 2012 Really Good Education Blog Award Judges who are listed alphabetically below.  Watch for the final, public voting to begin on June 18th!

Jennifer Ayers

Jennifer Harness Ayers, Ed.S. has been teaching for 17 years.  She has taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades and has worked as a reading interventionist in grades 1-5.  Jennifer loves developing activities and building on curriculum and has presented professional development at various locations in Tennessee.  However, she feels that her biggest accomplishment has been marrying her wonderful husband and becoming ‘mama’ to her daughter and son.  Find her blog at BestPractices4Teaching.com.

Denise Boehm

Denise Boehm is a veteran teacher who has taught in the sunny state of Florida since 1994. She’s taught just about every elementary grade level and has loved (just about) every minute of it! She is the author of SunnyDaysInSecondGrade.Blogspot.com.

Dawn Braddock

I’m a lucky wife to Bob and SAHM/homeschooling mom to Jarrod (9), a Trekkie and Jericho (TV) Ranger who wishes for more time for my own reading and for scrapbooking. I prefer homemade to store bought, mix technology with Little House/Waltons ideals, love astronomy, animals, history, science, baking and cooking. We live a “be the change you wish to see in the world”, “treat others as you would like to be treated” type of life and hope to find, inspire and surround ourselves with those that feel the same way. Our homeschool is a classically eclectic leadership education where we find materials that are right and work for our son on an individual basis, recognizing that each person learns differently. As accidental homeschoolers, we hope to inspire a love of learning throughout life for our son and to share our homeschool experience and fun with others.  I blog at  http://amomseverydaylife.blogspot.com/ and can be found on Pinterest at  http://pinterest.com/stargazingmom/.

Wendy Cushing

Wendy Cushing is a veteran educator, who, this year, began teaching an enthusiastic group of 3rd graders after nearly two decades in kindergarten and first grade classrooms.  She is the proud mother of two wonderful daughters:  a second grader and a college sophomore at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan.  Wendy is back in her second year as a monthly columnist here at the Teacher’s Lounge and serves as a freelance writer for Really Good Stuff’s product development department.  She also blogs about teaching, parenting, and international adoption at www.lilybelles.blogspot.com.

Rachel Friedrich

Rachel Friedrich is the creator of Sub Hub. The blog offers advice, tips, and resources for substitute teachers and classroom teachers preparing for a sub. She is a certified teacher, and has spent the last five years substitute teaching.

Barbara Gruener

Barbara Gruener is a bilingual educator who was raised on her family’s farm in Wisconsin, Barbara Gruener has been the counselor and character coach at Westwood-Bales Elementary School in Friendswood, Texas for the past ten years. She’s also a motivational speaker and loves to influence and impact workshop participants in her signature Sing, Dance, Laugh and Build Character sessions. When she’s not at school, Barbara likes to write, read, knit, bake, and spend time with family and friends.  Check out Barbara’s uplifting blog, Corner on Character, to read her inspirational stories about positive people and elevating experiences.  Barbara’s inspiring articles appear monthly on The Teachers’ Lounge.

Brian Hopkins

My name is Brian Hopkins and I have lived in Brevard County, FL my whole life.  I taught the last 8 years in Kindergarten and 2nd grade at 2 different schools.  I wasn’t happy at the 2nd school and decided to sub while I look for a new job.  I run the blog Hopkins’ Hoppin’ Happenings and always share positives in my Positive Friday posts.  My hobbies include country music, reading, reality tv shows, and now blogging and blog stalking.  I can be found on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Darin Johnston

Darin Johnston, currently an upper elementary teacher in Iowa, has a wide range of teaching experiences to draw from. He’s taught all grade levels and subjects ranging from the alphabet to world history along with earning his Bachelor’s Degree from Winona State, and Masters from Viterbo University. He resides in northeast Iowa with his wife, a Head Start Professional Development Specialist, and two middle school aged daughters.  When not teaching or Tweeting (@AnIowaTeacher), he can be found battling weeds in the garden, on the bike trail, or enjoying the quiet of the area.  Be sure check out Darin’s blog, The Life of a Conflicted Teacher.

Jeanette Moreau

Jeanette Moreau is an elementary school counselor who is learning the value of connecting with other counselors via social networking. She blogs at Ms. Moreau’s Musings, where she shares her school’s guidance activities with the school community. Follow her on Twitter at @MsMoreau_Guid.

Louise Morgan

Louise Morgan is a 2nd grade teacher in Fort Worth, Texas who loves using technology and connecting with classrooms around the world.  Her 7-8 year old students hone their writing skills on their class blog and they have participated in Global Classroom projects by collaborating with classrooms around the world via Voicethread and Skype. Louise has built her PLN (Personal Learning Network) by participating in Twitter chats like Really Good Stuff’s #teachchat.  Louise was named Teacher of the Year by her peers for 2011-12. She credits this accomplishment to the many hours she has spent networking with and learning from teachers around the world.  You can find her at The Frugal Teacher, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and The Global Classroom Project.

Charity Preston

Charity L. Preston is an author, teacher, and parent.  Most importantly, she is an educator in all roles.  The ability to teach someone something new is a gift that teachers truly appreciate.  She is the founder and creator of The Organized Classroom Blog, Classroom Freebies, Teaching Blog Traffic School, and Teaching Blog Central.  See you there!

Danielle Schultz

Danielle Schultz is a K-12 Certified School Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and blogger at School Counselor Blog, a blog where school counselors can share creative lesson plans, innovative ideas and quality resources. Follow her on Twitter at @sch_counselor.