Small Wins

The Monday after February vacation, we gathered in a teammate’s room for a curriculum meeting with our literacy specialist. She began by sharing a slide that read “Million Dollar Question: Are my efforts resulting in anything that matters?” I think everyone in the room probably had the same initial reaction…it doesn’t feel like it. Nonetheless,

Home

Home is Pheasant Hill Lane A white house with blue shutters It’s the love inside that matters Mom, dad and their “space shuttle girl” A little brother to adore Land Before Time marathons and popcorn kernels jumping in the kitchen Glow-in-the-dark stars that wish me sweet dreams from my bedroom ceiling Home is Pheasant Hill

The Phone Call

Rewind four months. School – my safe place. Math – a challenge. I float about the room. “You got it!” “Tell me about how. . .” “Let’s try this one again.” A persistent buzz on my wrist — one I’d usually ignore. Who keeps calling me? A glance. A skipped heartbeat. Quick steps to my

Can You Help Me Understand. . .?

There is a question that I use countless times a day. It is one that I use across all content areas. It is one that initiates inquiry. It is one that has helped me become a better listener. Most recently, it is a question that led me to notice a pattern in my students’ responses

Chasing Rainbows

I recently interrupted one of my dad’s complaint streaks to call him an Eeyore. It gave him pause and a good chuckle. Admittedly, I’m not much different. Sometimes, it takes me a tad too long to discover the positives. I have a teammate across the hall who is always able to find a rainbow. It’s

Quintessence

I pulled Jess Redman’s Quintessence from my bookshelf on Christmas Eve, and this book turned out to be everything my heart needed during winter break. It is a brilliantly crafted magical quest– one that reveals truths about anxiety and emphasizes the importance of friendship and self-discovery. Alma is an unforgettable character, and her Alma-ness might

Laughter

Tonight, I laughed. I laughed with my mouth wide open as heat reached my cheeks and my belly started to ache. I laughed in good company, and I noticed my laughter. It was particularly noticeable because I was captured on camera. I witnessed my own joy, and I wish I could have caught it in

A Festive Reflection

Over the weekend, I took a virtual flower arrangement class through Alice’s Table. Friday evening, beautiful blooms and a surprisingly small vase arrived in a box on my doorstep. There were hydrangeas, red roses, gunni eucalyptus, cedar branches, dusty miller leaves, and hypericum berries. Don’t let me fool you. I did not know all of

Siblings Are Childhood Loves

Sibling: noun. each of two or more children or offspring having one or both parents in common; a brother or sister. Michael was a childhood love. He was bright blue eyes and an infectious laugh. He was a gentle hug and plenty of mischief. Michael was a childhood love. He was a game of lava

Relationships Over Rigor

This week, in teaching about theme, a reader reminded me of a theme in my own life: “It can be hard to live in a constant state of pressure, but YOU are the one creating that pressure. It is okay to let go of your idea of what this should look like. Just give it