The first six weeks of school have been filled with busy and hurry. I found myself moving so fast without really thinking. I knew I needed to carve a bit of time out for myself, so my husband and I took a long weekend to head to the mountains. Every October we head north to New Hampshire to take in the splendor of autumn leaves turning into their full golden glory. I cherish this time away and feel myself relax immediately as the mountains rise on either side of the road, enveloping me in their sloping arms.
Month: October 2026
Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th Grader
During the first week of October, I continue to make strong connections with our students. It seems that there is sometimes an overwhelming sense of stress woven through our days at school. The pace picks up, world news seeps in, and there is a general sense that all is not right with the world. I want to keep school as a haven for the children, so I make sure I reach out and check in with them when I can.
Safe, Seen, and Heard: Why I Teach for the Stories
I look forward to September because I anticipate school starting and connecting with students. As a learning specialist, my number one job isn't teaching a curriculum—it’s building trust. I know that connection is key. So, from day one, I seek to build connections that make them feel safe, seen, and heard. We have over two hundred students in our elementary school, and I try to remember each and every name. The tool I use to help me remember is to connect their names with their stories. When a student tells me a story about herself, I can more easily remember her name. These stories become the connective glue of the relationship I build with them and their parents.
