Handwritten notes. Flowers picked on the playground. A birthday cupcake. Coffee mugs. Baked goodies during the holidays. Gift cards to the local coffee shop. Anyone recognize where this list comes from? Many acts of kindness have crossed my desk over my 25 years of teaching. Each gift given with joy. Each gift given with love. … Continue reading You are Important
At a Loss
I have landed here more times than I would like to count this schoolyear. Each time I find myself staring at a blank screen, will type a few words and then delete them as quickly as they came. Writing has not come easy this year. I might as well be honest with you about that. … Continue reading At a Loss
I Knew What I Had…
This will be short. My current day is full of unknowns. Life feels uncertain. My heart hurts for the pain in our world. It aches for the moments in time that have been lost. This morning I received a link to this song. I listened (and am still listening) with tears flowing. Tears that have … Continue reading I Knew What I Had…
Today is The Day I Cried
In the midst of week 4, day 25 of "remote school days", I have finally come to where the tears are falling. I know some of you might think "How is she just now getting to the point of crying?" while others will think "Why would there be tears? We are all living the same … Continue reading Today is The Day I Cried
Resources for Distance Learning
Can I just say....teachers are amazing! While I want to definitely share more of my thoughts in the future, I feel that today's most helpful information is resources. Whether your school is cancelling classes, prepping for remote learning or will stay on campus through the duration of this current virus outbreak, I want to offer … Continue reading Resources for Distance Learning
Hardest Thing I Have Ever Done
Sometimes teaching is hard. Who am I kidding? Teaching is always hard. Over the recent Christmas break, I received a very short but to the point email from one of my sixth grade students. "Thank you for being a good teacher ". While this does not seem like much, I found myself re-reading this message … Continue reading Hardest Thing I Have Ever Done
The Widow’s “Might”
Sometimes in our classrooms, we feel that we have so little to offer. Resources. Energy. Skills. Answers. Our students now come to us with more needs than we have ever had to face as classroom teachers. Students without basic needs being met. Students confused by a culture that sends significantly conflicting messages. Students facing tough … Continue reading The Widow’s “Might”
Welcome Back!
It has been a while since I shared my heart, and I wanted to take a moment to welcome you back to my blog. I know you did not leave; I did. Maybe it would be more appropriate to thank you for being here when I came back. Even though I am sure you do … Continue reading Welcome Back!
Lessons From a Roller Coaster
My 6th grade physical science class recently completed their year end roller coaster project. This is one of my favorite projects each year. Students combine their understanding of forces and Newton's Laws to create a paper coaster with the goal of incorporating as many "point earning" elements as possible. While I do love a good … Continue reading Lessons From a Roller Coaster
Encounter With a Savior
In the course of each day of my life, I have many encounters. Some are with people I see daily. Some are new faces that I am meeting for the first time. Some are positive. Some are difficult. I walk away from some encounters having grown as a person, some show me people from a … Continue reading Encounter With a Savior
Teaching Beyond the Norm 