How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it. - Marcus Aurelius Anger is hard for me to write about. It is probably hard for most people to write or talk about. I most certainly would rather write about children, art, or cupcakes. However, the whole point of beginning again … Continue reading Anger
To begin again…
Sometimes, to begin again feels like a long hike in the summer sun up a steep slope. Sometimes, to begin again is like swimming in honey. Today, I received an invitation from Ruth Ayres to begin again, and I accept it as a gift. Now, I don't know Ruth personally, but I subscribe to … Continue reading To begin again…
The Art of Cookies
For our 30th anniversary five years ago, my husband and I returned to our honeymoon site - Montreal. Since that time, we make sure we return to Montreal every summer, sometimes twice a summer. My husband found a wonderful boutique hotel in Old Montreal - Georges Marciano's L'Hotel. Marciano, the founder and designer of Guess? … Continue reading The Art of Cookies
Ming Tao Xuan or How to Relax in Old Montreal
My travels in Old Montreal, finding peace and mindfulness
Something Beautiful
I've been thinking a lot about beauty lately. This spring and summer I was tasked with finding an assisted living facility for my mother-in-law. It has proved to be an arduous journey fraught with near-hysteria, even with expert advice from A Place for Mom, which I cannot recommend more highly! But I digress. I want … Continue reading Something Beautiful
Poet Found: Ross Gay
Back in February, I bought a slim volume of poetry because I loved the cover - a bright floral abstract and the title, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay. I flipped to the first page - a poem about figs. Figs - my Grandpa Charlie's favorite and my favorite too. I often splurge and buy … Continue reading Poet Found: Ross Gay
Write the Poem
I used to take long walks in the woods and a poem would pop into my head effortlessly. The flow of my steps would jog something in my brain and images and ideas would come to me almost like magic. Lately, my life has been filled up with mundane things: weddings, newborn babies, elderly relatives … Continue reading Write the Poem
Write What You Notice
I recently attended a teacher's workshop presented by Penny Kittle at Rutgers University sponsored by Rutgers Center for Literacy Development. I've seen Penny many times. Usually, she talks to teachers about creating reading and writing workshop spaces in high school classes. Penny was a high school English teacher in New Hampshire and her mentor was … Continue reading Write What You Notice
Being Present to Joy
My colleagues worry about not having time enough to teach. They have so much content they need and want to cover. As a curriculum coordinator, I create tons of documents - benchmarks, scope & sequences, lists of standards by grade level to make sure we don't miss teaching one single skill or strategy. This is … Continue reading Being Present to Joy
Seeing Possibility
This post centers around seeing students' possibilities instead of their deficits. When teachers and parents can do that, a student's motivation increases and they are able to become more successful, seeing themselves in a strong and positive light.
