Why I Like Kids…and their teachers

Maurice Sendak–Kids don’t know about best sellers. It’s why I like them. Liking kids isn’t very hard is it? They are cute, sweet, new, innocent, lovable, loud, ornery, mean, snotty, brats… WHOA there! What happened to the liking kids part...

Drop Everything and Read!

When I taught first grade, I gave my students 15-20 minutes of DEAR time every day. DEAR stood for Drop Everything and Read. I’ve heard this time when students sit and read called many things: SSR (Sustained Silent Reading), DIRT (Daily Independent Reading...

Kindness Matters

Spending two days with 140 preschoolers at GDK (God’s Discovery Kids) preschool is a whirlwind experience. As the director said, “It’s a day of chaotic joy” to spend time with these little people. You’ve got someone saying they have to go...

For the love of mermaids and sharks!

It’s not really Christmas until I’ve created something with my own hands to give as a gift. And I’m not one to really follow a pattern or the recipe. I like putting my own touch on things. Over the years, it’s been jewelry, knitted scarves,...

Busy and bountiful

It is the most wonderful time of the year but it’s busy isn’t it? Shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking, recitals, parties, family gatherings, cleaning, Christmas programs and on and on. In the middle of it all, we are all doing our regular jobs, walking the...