My heritage is Italian, so naturally I love tomatoes. I’m sure there are people of Italian heritage who don’t like tomatoes, but I haven’t found one yet. My love of tomatoes surely came from my grandfathers, Charlie and Tony, who both kept their own gardens.
Category: Kindness
Small Wonders
I am constantly attuned to the little things stirring: the beetle, the butterfly, the inch worm, and the ladybug. I sit and watch them, meditating, slowing my breath, taking in all they have to teach me. I want to learn their ways. I want to be completely in their world even for a moment. When I become them, I become more myself.
Working in the Wonder Studio: Sewing up Some New Friends
The girls learn about sewing, making mistakes, and perseverance. I learn about how these students approach a task: how they plan, how they organize, and how they problem solve. I also learn how to help them when they are stuck and what motivates them. I have come to understand how important this half-hour is for them as students and for me as a teacher.
Daily Rescue – Compassion, Pass it on!
I am so grateful that the Lord’s hand guided me into being a teacher. I honestly do not know what I would do without children in my life. They have the most amazing healing power and bring constant waves of hope
The Incredible Events in the Life of a Teacher
Being open to possibility is the key to life-long learning, and life-long learning, I believe, is the key to happiness. It gives one purpose, and a sense of purpose is what keeps us humans strong and resilient.
Mentoring Gifted Readers
As Parker Palmer says, “Teaching is a daily exercise in vulnerability.” Sharing my struggles and successes with students help them to take a risk and share what is easy and difficult for them. Then, together we plan next steps to reach our goals.
Working in the Wonder Studio: Finding Our Dreams & Voices
This month, the 4th graders have taken over the studio. Some of them are painting on small canvases, some are making spring wreaths, some are learning to sew pillows, and a few of them are exploring how to turn boxes and tubes into working machines.
Tea & Empathy
I wanted to shine a light on those students who loved to read, write, and research. I wanted the girls to have an opportunity to learn about all kinds of women from all kinds of backgrounds doing amazing things.
Song of Vivian
Since this week also marks what would have been her 102nd birthday, I wrote a poem to celebrate my mother, Vivian Victoria – a talented and creative seamstress, and later an inspiring elementary school teacher.
What the World Needs Now…
This week, I’m thinking a lot about love. First, because it’s February, and Valentine’s Day leads us all to think a little more deeply about love, but also because February has a special meaning to me.
Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education 