Saturday, May 27, 2017

My Big News

Today was my last day of year 23. Like many teachers, I'm appreciative of a chance to breathe, while at the same time, I'm looking ahead to where I want and need to be in my profession. 

My very near future is an exciting one, and I've been quietly anticipating it for nearly four years. In fact, it's kind of a big deal. I'm publishing a book for teachers, and I hope to have it in my hands by mid-July at the latest. I've never given birth, but I feel like an expectant mother. I have high hopes for this book and yet wonder if it will live up to my expectations. Even though I haven't seen it yet, I know it inside and out but hope that the final product feels as exciting and fresh as it did when I first started this journey.

If you're interested in reading an excerpt, check out this link where my superintendent shares a portion of my book in the local paper. 



Keep an eye out for my book release blog post. I'm looking forward to sharing it with you all.

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Kindness Mantra


This has been on my board for the last few months. Obviously it needs no explanation. It's one of the smarter sentences I've created, and it's certainly one of the most repeated in my classroom, as any first grade teacher can imagine. 

I understand this phrase requires a lot from little people. Let's be honest. It requires a lot from adults, me included. That's all the more reason to provide our youngest citizens the opportunities to regard kindness as a crucial, even more important than their own way.

It doesn't matter if you only have a few days left with your students. I invite you to write this on your board now and repeat it often.