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
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
Connecting the Dots
When my daughter was young, many connect the dots pictures were part of our story. She started with simple pictures that I could recognize the image immediately. The pictures became more difficult as she needed more of a challenge to the point that we were completing pictures with hundreds of dots. The fun of the … Continue reading Connecting the Dots
The Teacher Crunch
Achievement testing week. Senior trip week. Week before spring break. Snow day on Monday (yes, in April). Covering classes for teachers that are absent. Year long projects coming due. Many things to finish in our classes. Limited number of weeks to complete those things. Kids that needed spring break three weeks ago. Teachers that needed … Continue reading The Teacher Crunch
Happy Blogging Anniversary!
This week my website host notified me that I have been blogging for a year! When I started, I was a bit unsure about the endeavor, quite timid in this arena , but following a powerful prompt that I felt from my Lord. While I am not the best blogger or the most convincing writer, … Continue reading Happy Blogging Anniversary!
Teaching Beyond the Norm 