Category Archives: Uncategorized

What a Tractor Taught Me About Living, Loving & Learning

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Be Strong. Be Courageous. Be You

“That acre needs mowing,” my brother said to no one in particular. He’d been under the weather. I was visiting him at his house in Iowa.  We’re twins but it had been years since we’d spent any real time together. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Let’s talk about Pokemon Go!

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Be Strong. Be Courageous. Be You

Educators are always looking for an in. Here are a few reasons we need to know something about Pokemon Go! before our students return to school this fall. The technology!  This is Google Maps and Google Earth, coupled with a … Continue reading →

Posted in games, Students First, Teaching, thoughts, Uncategorized, Yes | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Questions, Cards & Alarms

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Be Strong. Be Courageous. Be You

Girl home from college on Spring Break this week. Our first night together. Dinner ordered in.  Pizza. Kid still likes pizza.  We small talk about her day. She’s resourceful. Motivated. She’s been up the coast applying for jobs. Two interviews … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

Mom

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Be Strong. Be Courageous. Be You

“Oh, I can’t believe I have all my girls here together,” she wells up. Hands rise to her face. Tears come. Hand to her shoulder. I reach out to stroke her long dark hair. Hug her a little closer. Sister … Continue reading →

Posted in celebrate, Family, Mom & sisters, SOL2016, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Got Water?

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Be Strong. Be Courageous. Be You

I drove up the Coast Highway toward a short getaway in Cambria, California last year between the NCTE conference in Washington DC and Thanksgiving Break. XM Radio playing my favorite music, my thoughts ran between events of the past week … Continue reading →

Posted in History & Social Studies, SOL2015, Uncategorized, water usage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Thinking About History & Hamilton

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Be Strong. Be Courageous. Be You

So, I’m getting ready to go to this reunion a week from Saturday. (Well, I’m thinking and talking a lot about it.) Today a colleague showed me this video. featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda doing a rap. It’s cool. But what’s cooler … Continue reading →

Posted in History & Social Studies, SOL2015, Songs that speak, Step up, lean in, lead., Teaching, video text | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Writing and Social Studies Collide

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Be Strong. Be Courageous. Be You

Working to plan for a unit of study is always challenging and exciting.  This week I planned with the kindergarten team at President Avenue Elementary for their unit in opinion writing.  Each time I plan for a students to enter … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Beautiful Truth in Song

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Be Strong. Be Courageous. Be You

A life long friend shared this song along with her heartfelt words, “This reminds me of us”. The sentiment spoke to years of caring and connection mixed with growth and on occasion, hurt feelings … of mistakes and missteps. How do … Continue reading →

Posted in Songs that speak | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Gate to somewhere 

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Be Strong. Be Courageous. Be You

It’s late tonight.  I’m returning home after a very long week; Friday night nearing 10 pm. I left this morning about 6:45 and haven’t been home since then. Too busy doing good work across such a full day, then an evening … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Know Thyself, Reader

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Be Strong. Be Courageous. Be You

On the plane home from NCTE last November, I read many of the pieces on written by some of my favorite authors in Open A World of Possible: Real stories about the joy and power of reading. There are so many … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments