Inside: Easy instructions on how to make a mind jar and why it’s such an amazing calming tool for kids. With simple steps and helpful tips, you’ll want to make one right away for your classroom or home. There’s something so calming about a mesmerizing mind jar. They’re quick to make and can be a…
I teach at a Title I school (which means over 75% of our kids are on free/reduced breakfast/lunch status). Almost every morning one of my little fellows brings me FOOD from the cafeteria (an apple, pear, box of raisins…).
We must support the bully if we want to stop bullying!Bullying! It’s an ugly word because it involves ugly actions. This little word can stir the strongest emotions in people from all walks of life. Why? Because bullying doesn’t discriminate, and a substantial portion of the population have been scared by a bully.Bullying has become…
I wanted to share an amazing experience we had in the past week. My daughter attends a small private Lutheran Elementary School in Fort Wayne, IN. Last week, my daughter injured her heel and could not walk on it. After X-rays and a Dr visit, we arrived at school Tuesday morning in a wheelchair. For…
It was Thanksgiving Lunch at Maggie’s Middle school. As my son, John stood next to Maggie the vice-principal of the school came to meet him and said, “You must belong to Maggie”. John smiled and said, “Yes I do!” The vice-principal told John what a lovely girl Maggie is. That she has a wonderful attitude…
Launched on 15 July 2016, it’s been an exciting time as Nourish Network has found its feet and place in the local community. Nourish is a volunteer-based, holistic outreach program developed to help empower and support parents and guardians finding it difficult to provide for their families. Working with local schools in the area (outer…
My story is rather long. I hope that’s ok. Let me start by telling you about my son, Peyton James. Peyton James was an amazing boy. He had beautiful red hair, piercing hazel eyes that changed from green to blue, and a quirky sense of humor. He was born at 28 weeks gestation and weighed…
In September of 2005, Martha Cothren, a social studies schoolteacher from Arkansas did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with permission of the school superintendent, the principal, and the building supervisor, she took all of the desks out of the classroom. The kids came into first period, they walked in;…
In the span of about 20 minutes I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to see almost every student enter the building. Some are dropped off by their parents. Others ride their bikes to school. But most of our students take the bus to school each morning. I try to give as many students…
Gratitude … goes beyond the “mine” and “thine” and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past, I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude…
As a 6th grade teacher, I feel the necessity to teach my students about kindness, compassion and empathy.
Some children spend more of their time awake at school than they do in their own homes. That’s a big thing when you’re still growing and learning. It’s a big thing too for parents to entrust their precious ones to others, sometimes strangers, during these vital years. Especially as much of a child’s developing personality…