Call it a reality check or cynicism through experience; we are doing a disservice to ourselves, our taxpayers, and even our general education and high achieving students as we struggle to make educational opportunities “equitable” for all. The ones who lose out are the most promising students in pu
As we enter the new school year of 2020, there are no doubt tensions and high anxiety among teachers and students. We are in a time unknown to all. Even with the most meticulous plans in place, there is still an underlying fear that things will not go as smoothly as anticipated. Teachers will nee
I felt like my children would never grow up, and I was okay with that. But I knew they would do just that. From the moment you look at that tiny, perfect person in your exhausted arms, you are never the same person. You become a mom, and that is a powerful love no one can describe fully or prepa
Appreciate your family. Families are not always perfect, and many are far from it. However, it a chaotic and sometimes cold world; the family can be the pillar of hope and love. Not everyone comes from the iconic American Families we see in The Waltons or on Little House on the Prairie, but that
When I think I’m at a loss and all options to move forward are stunted, a new opportunity arises. It may not be in the form of what I wish, but it is an opportunity non the less. These opportunities have happened time and again in my life. This more opportunities for growth and learning present t
We may have been worried before, but it is getting real. We have less than a month. The reopening process for U.S. schools is, no doubt, daunting. We are worse off in the pandemic than we were when we closed down in March. Though I have tried to be a voice of reason, I feel that I am losing the
Jetskiing, with my 18-year- old quickly made me realize he has about two speeds: 0 and 60! Keeping up with him was hard, but well worth it. Pushing the throttle to speeds I would never dare before, forced me to just, “go with it!” With his younger brother in riding alongside, he was certainly tr
There is something serene and quintessentially American about meandering the waters of a lake on a pontoon boat. Boats, designed for many reasons, serve different purposes. A pontoon boat was designed just for family fun.
As summer marches closer to the crisp autumn months, it is optimal to savor one last vacation to enjoy the warm temperatures. A southern lake is a great place to do such a thing! Whether swimming, jet skiing, boating, fishing, or taking a leisurely walk, a stay at a lake has a little something fo
It wasn’t so long ago that my husband and I would jampack our Jeep with luggage, essential items, and trivial things. We would carefully plan our timing and route to hit cities at non-rush hour times. Snacks, games, books, activities, and even the occasional movie can make or break an extended fa
Summer is, no doubt, a much loved and welcomed time of year for students and families. There are endless possibilities for adventure and outdoor fun! However, it is essential not to let summer impede learning and result in a regression of skills in the fall. Here are some quick ideas to keep lear
What is OCD? From experience, I can tell you it can be a relived nightmare over and over each day and night. Held in a prison of relentless worry, fear, and rituals, you feel isolated and desperate. According to psychologytoday.com, OCD is, “An anxiety disorder that traps people in repetitive th
There is something cozy and wonderous about a summer storm, in all its fury, crashing around your home. The lightning, deluge of rain and even some hail mixed in make for a spectacular show! Nestled snug in our home, it suddenly forces all of us to take refuge together and watch. So much humilit
Games teach us many things: a little fun competition is okay, to be a good sport even when losing and of course to learn resiliency when losing. So many skills come from the art of play and games are a great way to integrate sharing, turn-taking, empathy, strategy, and learning that not everyone c
As a true introvert, an INTJ, according to Myers Briggs personality tests, I can only recharge my energy level in solitude. Though I love and appreciate everyone in my life and enjoy social events, I often need and crave alone time. Social events, fun and enjoyable as they are, can often leave me f
Okay, I get it. I’m going out on a very fragile limb right now. We are all acutely aware of the devastation this virus brought to our lives, economy, and our lives as we once knew it. There is no doubt this virus has taken a terrible toll on almost all aspects of our existence. Sadly, many liv
We’ve heard it time and again, “I need a vacation from my vacation!” That seems to ring true every time I arrive home after a long trip traveling abroad or even within the United States. Hours of driving, hours of flying, hours of packing, and cleaning, then unpacking and cleaning all seem to be
It’s refreshing to hear that some schools are offering choice to parents. Unlike several weeks ago, schools are relenting on the former conviction that all schools will open for in-person learning. This was a difficult pill to swallow while in the middle of a pandemic. Both as an educator and a p
Living in a campground, even for just a day or two, was to join a community where everything involving privacy and cooperation seemed different.
The feelings of resentment and anger are always the same: A churning stomach, a mind full of things I should have said or will say, heart racing and sometimes tears. It’s natural to feel this way when someone has said or done something cold or callous to us - especially when undeserved and unexpec
It is hard. How many times do we become so busy, so engrossed in our own thoughts and to-do’s of the day that we forget to really listen to another person? I know I have been guilty of this far more than I care to admit. Taking the time to really listen takes effort, time, and attention, three t
As a mandated reporter, I have made the tough decision to call our local Department of Children and Families several times. It is not always easy to decide that a child needs social services to step in and possibly remove a child from a home. When I do make the call, it is legitimate and the situa
We tend to hear the term “mindfulness” tossed around quite a bit these days. If you asked 10 different people what “mindfulness” is you might easily get 10 different answers! Words attributed to “mindfulness” often include relaxation, thoughtfulness, awareness, meditation, and centeredness. In re
It happens every year. The last announcements of the school year are made as I frantically help young students gather all necessary belongings: books, pencil boxes, notices, corrected papers, empty Tupperware - which I hope are going to the right mom - and random gloves and sweatshirts we found as
Sitting across the conference table from parents eager to help their young first or second grader learn to read, I often tell parents that fostering a love of reading is about 90% of the battle! First, let’s start with a question: What is reading? It is basically the overlearning of repeated word
It was Friday, March 16, 2020. The virus, Covid 19, was spreading. At 2:45 the faculty crammed into a tiny office space to hear the dreadful words from our principal: “This is the last time we will all be together for a long time.” Those sobering words hit us like a wave. Staff were silent. We