Choosing Gratitude...

It’s the end of July, and I’m tired. I want a vacation.  I want to squish my toes in the sand.  I want to hear the waves crashing, smell the salty air, and think about nothing else.  Oh yeah, I want to eat fresh crab legs. Well, that’s not happening, at least not this summer.  I haven’t had a week off yet, and I’m feeling it. Big time.  My summer days have been filled with... wait for it... work!

It has been an exhausting summer, but a great one!  I have worked with my eLeaders throughout the summer months, as we traveled to several tech conferences in which they taught teachers techie tools!   What a blessing to be a part of it! I will save those details for another post, because there’s just so much to share about those amazingly talented kiddos... I’m thankful those kiddos are supported by a group of parents whose energy is boundless, as they never stop asking, “What can we do to help?” It still overwhelms me. 

Today, despite my exhaustion, I’m choosing gratitude. I have several hours of work staring at me in order to prepare for the next conference - #GCCC13 - in two days, but I’m thankful.  I’m thankful that my summer has been full of purpose - full of new learning, new connections, new tech tools, (a Chromebook and a Windows Tablet!) new adventures, and I’m grateful for that. 

Saying “thank you” has been on my mind a lot lately. I think it’s because I’m reading Gary Vaynerchuk’s, “The Thank You Economy.” I love his forward-thinking analysis of the social media platform and where it’s forcing us to go.  We really don’t spend enough time or energy on “thank you,” do we?  I know I sure don’t, but I’m working on it.

Tonight, as I stare at the endless list of tasks that await me, I choose to be thankful.



I’m thankful for my mom and dad, who are blessings far beyond what words can describe.


I’m thankful for special friends to whom I can “vent,” because sometimes, I just gotta do it!

I’m thankful for Caleb, and for Photobooth silliness! 

I’m thankful for a principal who listens to me and supports me in all my wacky, outside-the-box thinking!   She knows I like to push the envelope and it's okay.


I’m thankful for Gary Vaynuchuk and YouTube. Together. 

I’m thankful for chocolate. Nuff said. 

I’m thankful for my gifted students, who let me learn from them every day. I sure don’t feel worthy to call myself their teacher, but I go with it anyway! 

I’m thankful for the comic relief that Sheldon Cooper provides. 

I'm thankful for my PLN in the Twitterverse.  Every single day.

I’m thankful that this list could go on and on... 



What are you thankful for?

My 4th Grade Teacher Met My 4th Graders...

I always love eRev...
It's always a highlight of my summer of elearning!

This year was no exception.  My eLeaders just knocked it out of the park again in the Digital Playground!  We love teaching teachers!  I'll share some fun stories during eRev13 in another post.  Stay tuned!

In all my years of teaching, I've taught all grade levels K - 8th.
Since I've been at Oak Hill, I've always felt so blessed to teach 4th graders!  Nine-year-olds are just a blast!  I love watching them grow, change, and mature throughout every school year.  I love their honesty, and I appreciate the fact that they challenge me and push me to me better than the day before.  If I'm not - they definitely let me know.

While we were playing in the Media Center/Digital Playground during eRev13, my 4th grade teacher, Mr. Richmond, came in to visit!  Imagine my surprise when I saw him!  Wow!  He shared with me that he will be entering his 42nd year of teaching!  Wowzers!  
Of course, I had to grab him and my kiddos and take a picture!

My 4th grade teacher, along with my 4th graders!!!
7.11.13

What a magical moment!  How many teachers today get to introduce their teachers to their students?

Thanks, eRev!  Just another blessing among many that occurred this week...