Ten Things About Me That You Probably Don’t Know

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1. My real first name isn’t Jim, or even James. It’s Alan.

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2. I always told my students on the first day of school that I really disliked lying. I have to admit, though, that when students asked me why the book order wasn’t in yet, I usually blamed Scholastic Books. The truth is, most of the time I hadn’t placed the order yet.

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3. I got used to being called Mr. Sack, but I never really liked it and almost always signed notes home, student agendas, etc. with Jim.

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4. To be honest, I wasn’t a very good student from sixth grade on. 

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5. My favorite wild animal is the moose, although I’m intrigued by the porcupine because of the way they waddle.

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6. Some of the stories in my books are from when I was growing up. I’m not telling which ones, though, unless I’m asked at a school visit.

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7. My favorite food is cheese. I actually drool when I get near a cheese platter. As a matter of fact, if I’m at a party and there is cheese out, I simply continue to circle back and forth, hoping that no one realizes that I haven’t left the food table.

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8. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. If I open a Mounds bar (my favorite), it’ll probably take me weeks, if not months, to finish it. I’m not kidding.

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9. Growing up, I wanted to be a veterinarian. Although I still love animals, I was a terrible student in math and science and knew I’d never be a vet.

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10. Another reason why I knew that I’d never be a vet is the “grasshopper story”. It’s too long to share here, so for that one, you’ll have to have me in for a visit!