The pandemic has altered life as we knew it; for me, schools and what we do for education in this new reality is forever on my mind. This past week, I had to go to the SUNY@ Buffalo campus to pick up a book. The first sign of ‘strange’ was that I had no problem … Continue reading Hallways… Hollowed or Hallowed…?
Author: admin
Bare Roots
Walking the Old Scarbuck Trail at Genesee Forestry near East Concord, NY... I found the familiar trails well worn. The pandemic has removed many typical activities from our calendars, yet one of its ‘gifts’ is that more people are taking to the trail and connecting more with nature. Maybe the paths have been this worn … Continue reading Bare Roots
One Act at a Time…
I used to offer these worry dolls to my students when a need arose. Regular little worries which would grow larger than life, leaving the children feeling defeated and frustrated. Guatemalan Worry Dolls Yet somehow just being offered a doll to "hold their worries" helped get these little ones over and through what seemed in … Continue reading One Act at a Time…
Prodigious
There are two phrases the quarantine has given us, which have gotten old very quickly for me: 'unprecedented times' and ‘the new normal.’ I get it - these are unprecedented times! But for me, these terms carry with them a sort of ‘dark cloud,’ as if there is a siren running in the back ground … Continue reading Prodigious
Be the Classroom They Need
The question occurred to me recently… What if we adults, were the ‘only’ classroom our children got for the foreseeable future…? As each day brings us closer to realizing how much we really don’t know, and tensions rise as differing views amplify the struggles, it is becoming paramount that we look beyond what we want, … Continue reading Be the Classroom They Need
If It Can Work for Children…
Flashback to 2018 when I was still in the classroom… As we each found our spot on the rug… one person deep, so that NO One was out of the circle of belonging, everyone knew this was a safe place to be their true self. Some weeks, it was simply a light exchange of “What … Continue reading If It Can Work for Children…
We Choose the Roads that Lead Us to the Lessons We Must Learn…*
Hunter's Creek, S. Wales, NY I wasn’t on the trail more than a moment, when I knew today’s adventure would offer the gift of a life lesson. Immediately, the forest promised options aplenty. Well-worn paths divided and divided again, as I was reminded of the many, many life choices we come face to face with … Continue reading We Choose the Roads that Lead Us to the Lessons We Must Learn…*
May you know joy…
Yesterday, we took a ride to Angola, NY to pick strawberries. For me, this is an activity with benefits far and wide… Outdoors, easy pickings, no thorns, intermittent sunshine with billowy clouds offering bits of respite from the heat of the afternoon. Good exercise, (I cannot kneel since my knee replacements) so it’s plenty of … Continue reading May you know joy…
Creating the Space to Grow
I’ll be honest, this week has been the hardest yet for me, since the pandemic closed our country. I have read more posts, listened to more YouTube clips, heard more heartbreak than I ever dreamt possible. The thing that is breaking my heart, is the blame. The finger pointing. The “I’m right and you’re wrong” … Continue reading Creating the Space to Grow
Essential…?
Twelve long weeks ago, I was made keenly aware of how the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine was a wake-up call. Despite the challenges, I witnessed people becoming keenly aware of their priorities, asking those important questions... what really matters? Family. How do we Protect.? What is REALLY Essential? How can I best Connect? How … Continue reading Essential…?