This week, the first week of my summer vacation, I have been thinking about embracing small things in life: small moments of joy, small moments of beauty, and small moments of gratitude. E.F. Schumacher, a British economist and writer, best known for his book, Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as If People Mattered, … Continue reading Small is Beautiful
Tag: inspiration
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.
Seaworthy Summer
These few days by the sea are important part of my school life. I need these days, I long for these days, I use these days to ready myself for a summer filled with travel, reading, art, and self-reflection.
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
Walking Towards Summer
The third week of May is approaching. For school that means spring testing is done, spring conferences are coming, children are restless, and teachers are restless. We see the end, but it isn’t quite here. It’s not that we don’t enjoy learning and teaching. It’s purely that we are tired. We need a rest. We need to rest our bodies and our minds. We need that warm summer sunshine, not this rainy spring.
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.
You’re Invited to a Poetry Party!
his year, I will be published in three anthologies, so I thought, "It's time to read in front of an audience." I chose well. I chose our 2nd through 5th grade students. Deb, our school librarian, was encouraging, and we set a series of times in the library when I can be the guest poet.
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.
Celebration: Women’s History Tea 2.0
I love March and April because they signal the beginning of spring. All around us are signs of rebirth: budding trees, unfurling blossoms, birds gathering in song on still bare branches. Every spring, I celebrated the accomplishments of women with our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. I gave them a packets of ten women … Continue reading Celebration: Women’s History Tea 2.0
Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education 