Teaching
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An Interesting Dinner With My Teenage Son
I put the following quote on the board and asked the 6th graders what it meant. “Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and keep it lit.” Mary Lou Retton Most of the students were unsure until I asked them what my purpose was. Then hands went up and I received answers of writer, teacher, and mom. They could see my purpose but not their own until I asked them what they like to do. The room buzzed with everything from singing and soccer to baking and dance. I explained that when I was their age I enjoyed writing stories. I suggested…
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Why I teach
“…until one sees with one’s own eyes and comes to feel with one’s own heart, one will never understand other people.” Eleanor Roosevelt “When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.” Eleanor Roosevelt I’ve been watching, The Roosevelts, a Ken Burns documentary on PBS. Several years ago, I spent time in Hyde Park New York and toured their houses. In fact while we ventured the grounds of Val-Kill, we were asked to keep silent because Ken Burns was filming. I learned of Eleanor Roosevelt’s commitment to helping others. I brought home a book of Eleanor’s quotes and a bookmark. Both sit on my desk as reminders that as I go through daily life I must be conscious of my responsibility…
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Random Acts of Kindness on May 7th
May 7th is my birthday! Yay! At first I thought I was going to sit around in my yoga pants and read all day and then I thought of something else I’d like to do–surprise people with random acts of kindness. I saw this awesome letter on Pinterest that one couple had written to another couple in a restaurant…. Let me see if I can find it…Yep, here it is. I thought the letter was adorable especially because there have been many times I’ve wanted to offer help entertain people’s children but I’ve never offered for fear of being viewed as a stalker too. Duh…just buy their meal. Why didn’t I think…
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What Makes A Good Teacher?
What makes a good teacher? The answer is simple. A good teacher knows the importance of creating a desire for life long learning. A good teacher knows the value of an education. My Story I didn’t grow up wanting to become a teacher. I had no interest in school and no desire to go to college. Both my grandmothers and my mother were all stay-at-home moms. There was no talk about my future and what I may want to do after I graduated high school. I had no idea what college was like or why I should go. I was taught that it was bad to be a working mom because then…
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A Healthy Snack and Healthy Laughter
A Healthy Snack and Healthy Laughter Whether I’m writing or substitute teaching, I like to eat healthy snacks throughout the day. This one is super easy to make and delicious. I found the recipe on: A Spicy Perspective. Yum! Laughing is just as important as eating healthy! Here’s one of my favorite comedians. Gabriel Iglesias! Fluffy!
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I love, love, love, this video!
I love, love, love, this video! If you’re a writer, teacher, parent, student or coach I highly recommend watching this video. It’s 13 minutes and twenty seconds of inspiration. Lessons To Remember Repetition, repetition, repetition. Persistence, persistence, persistence. How do we get good at anything? Practice. Whether it’s writing, athletics, teaching, parenting, or learning to be a successful student, we must be willing to fail and try again…and again, and again! Our thoughts influence our actions. Several months ago I joined a spin group at our gym. For the holidays our instructor bought us all wristbands that say: I Can And I Will. This has been her mantra especially when challenging…
