I have a new puppy. I put it off as long as I could, but the pleadings of my daughter convinced me to follow my heart. I haven’t owned a dog since I was in Second Grade so I am certainly not an expert on any part of dog ownership. The books, blogs, and advice… Continue reading Observations: Puppy Style

Leaving a legacy on hearts and minds. . . sounds like a mission statement for teachers! Educators’ work is tough and challenging and filled with eager learners for whom learning comes easily and with students for whom school is something that they have to do. Classrooms are filled both with children who innately know how to… Continue reading Imprints on Hearts and Minds

It is easy this time of year to skate through the weeks leading to vacation, thinking that the days are wasted. True, the days are filled with interruptions, holiday program rehearsals, and students with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, but I do believe that deep learning can occur. Often, teachers pull out word… Continue reading ‘Twas the Days before Vacation…

About a month ago, I used  one of the new restrooms at school. The toilet flushed on its own as I left the stall. I placed my hands under the soap dispenser, which automatically delivered an appropriate amount of soap to clean my hands. As I lowered my soapy hands under the faucet, I waited… Continue reading Lesson from the Restroom!

The past few weeks, I have met with every grade level. For the Second Grade students, my objective was to learn their names, tell them what to do when I forget their names, explain the uniform expectations in UED, and read an entertaining book with funny voices. For the other grades in the Upper Elementary… Continue reading The Power of Yet

I am a “To Do List” kinda gal. I like adding items that are sure to be crossed off soon as well as organize bigger to-do items on the list. The act of crossing things off provides me with a feeling of accomplishment and order. This matters to me. Grief does not work this way.… Continue reading A Circuitous Journey

I read Make Just One Change by Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana in June because the idea of making one change seemed compelling and doable to me. The book not only served as summer inspiration, but it also caused me to reflect on the types of questions that I have routinely asked students in my classes.… Continue reading Leap of Faith

I feel a little like a contestant on “Beat the Clock.” For those of you who are far younger than I, it was a game show in which couples tried to complete a stunt in less than 60 seconds. Today, I have not completed any stunts – at least none that were memorable! Instead, I… Continue reading Beat the Clock