This past summer, I joined one of my community’s Rotary Clubs. For years I had gone to Rotary as a teacher and requested funds for this or that project or to share this or that school update or student success.
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Spreading Kindness
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. -Dr. Maya Angelou Think about the emails you get as part of the school staff every day. Now, think about the emails you send every
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Putting Our Whines in Perspective
Hang around a group of teachers and it won’t belong before you hear one say something like, “Only a teacher is expected to grade 135 papers on their days off.” There’s always some truth to the complaint, but whenever I
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Lessons in Loss, Failure, and Apathy: The Dysart Override/Bond Election
Our bond and override election didn’t pass. Initially, I didn’t know what to say when everyone asked me in an incredulous tone “So…what happened there?” I’m trying not to be bitter about my hours of door-knocking. I’m trying to ignore
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Chaos or Calm? You Have Control
There’s a funny teacher shirt that always makes me smile. It has the words “Chaos Coordinator” blazon across the front in fancy glitter writing. Being a teacher sure feels like that, right? (especially if you teach preschool or kindergarten!) But
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School Buses and Sea Horse Chariots
It is the 30th (gulp) anniversary of The Little Mermaid this week. I want to describe a scene to you that copyright law precludes me from simply displaying. In Ursula’s lair, there are dozens, nay, hundreds of creatures that with
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Saving Seeds
The weather was gorgeous over the long holiday weekend, mid-80’s, and clear with a light breeze. I finished painting our chicken enclosure, disentangled armfuls of the overgrown bermuda grass from the asparagus patch, and peered at the hopeful sprouts of
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Find the Power of Discourse
I cannot believe that we are into our 2nd quarter & it is now November. It seems like yesterday I was planning professional development to welcome back staff. Now we are moving into the winter where there is cooler
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Surviving the Second Quarter Slump
Is it just me, or is the second quarter the most difficult quarter of the year? Students pushing boundaries, a never-ending to-do list, the pressure of reaching all of your students so they learn and grow, collaborate with your team,
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