I am not an artist, but I like to create. What I wear each day is like my way of being creative. I like to pull items together and build new outfits that I may have never worn in the past. I would like to think that I look decent each day, but what you [...]
It was my first year teaching. Fresh out of Dordt College, transplanted to sunny California. I had this wonderfully diverse and eager-to-learn first grade class. After the first few weeks of “what am I doing here?!” I was finding my rhythm as a primary teacher. I was connecting with the students, explaining things at their [...]
My father turned 70 recently and Heidi and I were able to travel to Ontario. The reason for our trip was to spend time with my dad, my mom, and all of my siblings and their spouses for a wonderful weekend of reminiscing and celebrating a man that we love and honour.My dad is a [...]
I remember waiting for my 16th birthday with a mixture of fear and anticipation. I knew my life was going to change drastically. Freedom and independence were calling my name and it all hinged on whether I could pass that formidable test…the driver's test. I hopped into my parents’ big blue suburban and off I [...]
Recently, we have been receiving resumes and applications for the position of Educational Administrative Assistant in the secondary office. The other day, I planned to meet with the current admin assistants to go through all the resumes and decide on whom we should interview for the position.But before the meeting, I went into my staff [...]
Ah, report card season. Every last item is finally marked, and entered into the online grade book. Time to carefully consider each letter grade, select a 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 for every outcome, and begin the intense program of writing meaningful comments for each student.What is going through this teacher’s mind? My [...]
I settle into my chair, a fresh cup of coffee on the arm, my laptop actually on my lap and I begin reading. It’s the Monday morning when report cards are due and each one has to be read by an administrator, so I stay home so I can read without distractions or the inevitable [...]
My mom had a plaque hanging in her kitchen that read "This house is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy." It is one of my favourite sayings and one I quickly adopted as my motto after getting married and having a home of my own.When life gets busy and I [...]
A big part of who I am has been developed through my experiences with soccer.I started playing the sport at the age of seven and continued until I finished high school, ten years later. I was lucky enough to have my dad, Pat, as my coach for nine of those years and I learned so much from him. He [...]
Have you ever noticed how many acronyms we use? I mean, my kids are so adept at using all the texting short-hand and it has in many ways, become second nature to use the abbreviated form for so many things. We all know the basics (lol, btw, r, ru.…).I have tried to make up my [...]
