Celebrate This Week-January 20, 2018

Each Week Ruth Ayres hosts a platform where she writes about something to celebrate from the week and invites others to celebrate with her. Visit her blog, Ruth Ayres Writes to read more. 

This has actually been a tough week. Within the last week or so I have had 3 friends lose close loved ones and it has just been sad. While I have reached out to my friends and attended one service so far, I can't help but feel that I should do more. 

My hubby has also been sick and work was pretty tough this week. 

Still, even in a hard week, there have been small celebrations. 

*I had a lengthy chat wth my mother in her kitchen early in the week. 

*I was able to sit around a table full of lifelong friends to reminisce with a friend who lost her father.

*I celebrated with friends at an impromptu party at school for a colleague with a "significant" birthday.

*Today I meet with my Maine State Book Award Committee to create our "short list" of 100 books. 

I hope you were able to celebrate things big or small this week friends. 

Celebrate This Week-Embracing Change-January 13, 2018

Each Week Ruth Ayres hosts a platform where she writes about something to celebrate from the week and invites others to celebrate with her. Visit her blog, Ruth Ayres Writes to read more. 

I have not written a celebrate this week post for a very long time, not because I don't have lots to celebrate, but time just seems to get away from me. 

This is more of a cumulative celebration than specifically just this week. 

This school year I left my position as a 4th grade teacher, which I held for 14 years, for a position as Lead K-2 RTI teacher in the same building. Not only was it a change in position, but also a drastic change in grade levels. I work with the younger population who are initial and striving readers. I went from feeling very confident in my abilities and knowing my job well, to feeling like a fish out of water. 

So this week I celebrate change and growth.  Change is rarely comfortable at first. There are new routines to learn, systems to navigate, and expectations to meet. I have keenly felt the uneasiness of change and uncertainty this year and instead of fighting it, I decided to embrace it. I ask LOTS of questions and continue to make more than my fair share of mistakes. But, with each passing week, I learn more and I do better. 

It is January and I am starting to feel more comfortable, all thanks to the RTI teachers that I am so lucky to work with. The team consists of 6 other highly trained and experienced teachers and each one has helped me in so many ways. They continue to answer my questions and show patience when I forget to do something or when I do something differently than the previous teacher who held the position for many years

. 

This change has improved and deepened my knowledge of early literacy and allowed me to get to know many colleagues in ways I had not before. It also has solidified, 2 things that I already knew. First, no matter how much we know, how many degrees or professional experiences we have, there is always much more to learn. And second, we are better when we work together. 

I am looking forward to continuing on this messy and exciting journey of learning and change with my amazing colleagues.

NCTE '15 Highlights!

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

Thanks to Ruth for providing a platform for me to share my big and small celebrations. 

This year's NCTE convention was a whirlwind of activity as usual. 




I was thrilled to be able to have two of my colleagues, Anna Sedenka and Lynne Walsh with me. We had so much fun learning and talking together!

But I missed my friend Susan Dee who brought me to my first NCTE 3 years ago, so I decided to bring her along with me. Flat Susan met many new people and connected with old friends.

Pernille Ripp and Jillian Heisse

Gordon Korman

I had many fangirl moments meeting authors I admire. 

Linda Urban

AVI

Kwame Alexander

Sharon Draper

At The Nerdy gathering with Lynda Mullaly Hunt and Nikki Loftin

Ok, so I did not meet her, but I LOVE Kate DiCamillo! Hearing her speak was a huge thrill!

 Then there are MY nerds!! I love being able to call this group of passionate educators my friends! 

Melissa Guerette, Michele Knott, Jason Lewis, Lesley Burnap, Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Of course we had Flat Susan with us! (Photo bomber, David Smith).

One inspiring session featured Teri Lessene, Donalyn Miller, Kylene Beers and Bob Probst! I sat on the floor because all the seats in the HUGE auditorium were filled!

Check out this fabulous group of authors at the Nerdy Penguin Bash hosted by Donalyn Miller, John Shumacher (Mr. Schu), and Colby Sharp. 

Finally, presenting with my panel was such a dream come true. I admire and respect each one of these ladies tremendously. 

Me with Cynthia Lord, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, and Alyson Beecher

Weekends like this keep me inspired, motivated and ready to do what is best for my students. I can't wait until next year!

Celebrate This Week-July 18, 2015

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

Thanks to Ruth for providing a platform for me to share my big and small celebrations. 

Today I am catching up on a few celebrations from the last couple of weeks. 

Girls Weekend
Last weekend I went to an annual "girls weekend". This is one weekend each year where I get together with friends from high school on a gorgeous lake here in Maine. The weekend was a picture perfect summer weekend with lots of sunshine and low humidity. Twelve of us "girls" spent floating on the lake and catching up on what is happening in our lives. There was talk of kids getting ready to head to college and others facing the challenges of middle school. Of course there was also much eating, drinking and laughing...so much laughing. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? 


Learning New Stuff
I spent the last 5 days in a graduate class on assessment at The University of Southern Maine. Although it is tough to miss out on some of the few warm, sunny days here, I enjoyed this class very much. I love learning new things, but I especially enjoy learning among really smart and dedicated educators. The twelve of us spent the week learning more about assessment for learning with lively discussions and challenging perspectives. It was an invigorating experience has me rethinking the ways I will teach and measure learning going forward. 

A Weekend at Home
Today I celebrate being with my family. After over a week of being gone, I am very happy to be able to hang out with my family this weekend. Today is a rainy day and I am welcoming the chance to talk, read, watch movies and just be home. 

What are YOU celebrating this week? 

Celebrate This Week-July 4, 2015

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

Thanks to Ruth for providing a platform for me to share my big and small celebrations. 

Today I celebrate this.

Although we are not a perfect country and have a long way to go in many areas, we have freedoms, rights and privileges that are not available to everyone. I celebrate the people who fought and continue to fight for our independence. 

Happy Independence Day! 

Celebrating a Special Teacher

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

Thanks to Ruth for providing a platform for me to share my big and small celebrations. 

   This week I would like to take a minute to celebrate and recognize some very special people. If you visit often, you're probably aware that I have a nine year old son who has autism. He is about to transition from his primary school to a school, where he has been for four years, to the intermediate school across town. 
    When TJ was leaving his developmental preschool to enter our public school with over 800 students, I was worried. I was worried about his safety in such a large building. I was worried that the staff would not love and care for him as much as they did in preschool. Fortunately, the transition was very smooth, mostly because of his new special education teacher, Jody Colangelo, his paraprofessionals and his many dedicated and skilled therapists. They know him very well and take every step necessary to make sure he is learning and safe. At each meeting and in every interaction with them, it is clear how much they care about TJ.  
   He has had three paraprofessionals that have worked with him one-on-one since he arrived. They have all been wonderful. Mrs. Priscilla Gilman has been his one-on-one support for the last three years. Other than my husband and myself, no one knows TJ better than Mrs. Gilman. She can get him to do things that he will not do with us at home. She works incredibly hard to make sure that he not only progresses academically, by attends to his communication needs, personal needs and safety. 

  Since he cannot tells us what he has done during his school day, Mrs. Gilman writes us a note every day in his notebook. These notes make us feel connected to the school and help us to know what his days are like. Now we have a chronicled record of his development that we treasure. Most importantly, Mrs. Gilman just loves him. She loves him when he is sweet (which most of the time), and she loves him when he hits her, shows his stubborn side or has a meltdown. The feeling is very mutual. TJ loves Mrs. G and is eager to go to school each day. It has given us great peace of mind as parents to send our boy to school each day and know that he is so well cared for. 

   Mrs. Gilman is retiring at the end of the school year. How do you thank someone who has played such an integral part of raising your child? "Thank you" does not seem like enough. We are so appreciative for all that she has done for TJ and consider her to be part of our family. 

 Thank you Mrs. Gilman!

Celebrate this Week-Special Olympics 2015

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

Thanks to Ruth for providing a platform for me to share my big and small celebrations. 

It has been quite some time since I have posted a celebration post, not because I have had nothing to celebrate, but just since life is racing at lightning speed. 

Today I celebrate the Special Olympics, more specifically my son, TJ's day at the Special Olympics. Once a year our family dons our "Team TJ" shirts and gathers to watch our boy participate in track and field events. No big deal right? Well, maybe not for a lot of families, but for us, the day is HUGE. TJ is nine and has moderate autism. He is not on sports teams or in clubs. He has even stopped participating in school concerts so this is literally the one day each year where we can watch him in any kind of performance.

The day is a celebration for individuals, school and families. Everyone cheers for each other and the atmosphere is loud and festive. These Olympians are rock stars! 

My heart swells as I watch him run, jump, throw and give high fives. To see the happiness and pride on his face is indescribable. Watching the way his sister, Molly, cheers for him and helps him throughout the day makes me well up with gratitude. 

I would also like to celebrate the many adult volunteers and coordinators that make this event possible. Thank you for giving our amazing children a chance to shine! 

Looking forward to next year!

Celebrate This Week-July 5, 2014

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

Thanks to Ruth for providing a platform for me to share my big and small celebrations. 

On Tuesday my husband and I celebrated the anniversary of the day we met 15 years ago. It is easy to remember because we had our first date on July 4th. We went back to the pub where we met, The Great Lost Bear which has become a Portland landmark. It was a great night out alone.

On Thursday I finished the summer session of the Summer-Fall Institute for the Southern Maine Writing Project. This session consisted of seven days in class, learning, collaborating, sharing and, of course, doing lots of writing. I really enjoyed it and I am happy I decided to do it. I enjoyed writing my learning autobiography, reading professional books and even writing my first poem-EVER! 

Here it is.

Cliffs of White Head

by Gigi McAllister

Early morning mist creates a hazy lense through which I view the island.

Smooth.

Calm.

Quiet.

Perfect.

Treetops reach high above..

Like old friends shielding me from the rising sun.

My footsteps tramp the familiar muddy path.

With the approach of the clearing, my heartbeat quickens.

Trees thin, letting more of the greedy sunlight touch the ground.

Cool, salty wind swirls around me like a welcome embrace.

Greeting me as I step out of the trees and onto the high, gray cliffs.

You’re back, the gulls call.

We’ve been waiting for you.

Come, sit here in your favorite spot on the ledge.

Looking over the churning ocean.

Resting on the warm rock I exhale again and again until my breathing becomes one with the wind and waves.

What Are YOU Celebrating Friends?

Celebrate This Week-June 28, 2014

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

My Family is All Here

You know it's summer when my 18 year-old step-daughter and my mother-in-law arrive. My step-daughter stays with us until the beginning of August and my mother-in-law (Laney) stays for much of the summer as well. The house if full, it's noisy and you have to get in line to shower, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Writing

For the last three days I have been in a writing workshop for The Southern Maine Writing Project's Summer Institute. When I signed up, I thought it was a good idea. I'd get to write and learn from others uninterrupted. On Monday morning as I got up and ready to leave the house.  It was a warm, sunny day I began to think that signing up for a class in the summer wasn't such a great idea. I was wrong. The three days we have had so far have been terrific. I have vacated my comfort zone several times in the past days as I write and share with my new friends. The class is filled with such talented writers. I love listening to their writing and furiously write down amazing words and phrases they use. I am learning a great deal about myself as a writer and learner and I'm LOVING the writing time. We have four more days next week. I plan on writing a recap of the week and my learnings next Saturday. 

A Celebration Dinner

Last night we went out to dinner with the whole family to celebrate the successful completion of another school year. As many of you know, my eight year-old son has autism. Taking him out to eat at a "sit down" restaurant is not usually easy.  Last night was no exception. To make a long story short, TJ did not want to sit where we had planned to sit (downstairs away from everyone). He wanted to be in the middle of the action and where he could look at all the interesting decor they have on the walls. After some whining and then escalating to hitting me, the nice people at Buck's Naked BBQ rearranged tables upstairs and moved our party of eight to where he was happy. There were also nice customers who didn't seem to mind that he would stand up and get close to their table to look at something on the wall. I'd like to celebrate this establishment, its waitstaff and customers for their compassion. We had a lovely time. 

What Are YOU Celebrating Friends?

Celebrate This Week-June 21, 2014

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

As I write this, I am sitting here in my glider, feet up with a hot cup of coffee. It is Saturday, but right now all days feel like Saturday because IT'S SUMMER!! 

I'm sure I join many teachers in celebrating the start of summer vacation here in New England. The weather has been beautiful for the last 3 days. It's chilly in the morning (think 40's) and climbs to the seventies with a nice breeze. This may not sound like summer where you live, but believe me, in Maine we'll take it. 

I don't actually consider summer to be a vacation. Sure, I don't go to school every day, but I work hard in the summer. I change from a teacher-mom and a stay-at-home mom and that is a tough job. With a visiting grandmother, an 18 year-old step-daughter, a 12 year-old and an 8 year-old, we are pretty busy. Preparing meals, packing, delivering kids to activities, and traveling together is a lot of work and I would not have it any other way. I have missed my kids. They are growing so fast and I look forward to connecting with them more this summer. 


I wrote a long post of reasons why I love summer, but I deleted it. I decided it might be fun to write a "top ten" list instead. 

10. An extra cup of unhurried morning coffee.
9.  Being able to wear sandals all the time.
8.  More writing time (Teachers Write).
7.  Connecting with friends.
6.  No dressing up (and many days, no make-up).
5.  Having a full, noisy house.
4.  Nana's pool.
3.  SUN!
2.  Reading time (#bookday)
1.  Extra snuggles, laughs, stories and play time with my family! 

As summer officially starts, what are YOU celebrating?

Celebrate This Week-June 7, 2014

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

I have been away from regular blogging for about a month now. I am increasingly unable to balance the end-of-the-year-craziness at school with my own children's extracurricular activities and blogging, so something had to give. I am hoping to get back in a blogging groove soon. 

I hope you all have many things to celebrate from this week. Here are a few of mine from this and recent weeks. 

A Nerdy Announcement
I am not sure I have officially announced it yet, but a few weeks ago I learned that a proposal I submitted to NCTE, on behalf of my panel, was accepted! We will be presenting at NCTE this fall. I am still pinching myself and get nauseous just thinking about it. I get to present with my dear friend, Susan Dee and amazing authors Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Jennifer Neilsen and Leslie Connor! I KNOW RIGHT?!! Being able to work together with these incredible ladies whom I respect and admire is just thrilling to say the very least. Our session focuses on using literature from K-middle school to foster the development of resiliency and empathy in children. I am beyond excited!

It's About Time
Here in Maine it was a terribly long and exceptionally cold winter. Even though there are still mornings when we kick on the pellet stove, it seems that spring is finally here. Yes, I know it is almost summer, but Maine doesn't seem to realize that. The trees finally have leaves and there are flowers popping up in my garden. My family keeps a small vegetable garden plot at our town's community garden due to our yard's lack of full sun. We were able to put the seeds and seedlings in the ground and some are starting to peek out of the ground. 

Teamwork and Togetherness
Although we have a week and a half to go, things are in "wrap-up" mode at school. Yesterday was our 4th grade field day. This is an event the students and I look forward to all year. It was such a nice day to just be silly and fun with them and to encourage and congratulate each other. My voice is hoarse today from screaming so loudly during the tug-of-war. I love watching them together as they have become a tight-knit group who look out for one another. In the afternoon the students (and teachers) are so tired that all we can really manage to do is to watch a movie. We watched Disney's Frozen. Let me tell you that you have not lived until you have heard ten year-old boys belt out "Let it Go". 

Just Too Sweet
Lastly, I celebrate this special reading moment. I posted this video on Facebook earlier this week. My eight year old son, TJ, has autism and he loves certain books. He has a few he loves to read, but he seldom reads to anyone. My husband filmed TJ reading one of his favorite books, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight. You can't make out many words, but I think you get the gist. I am so glad that we have technology to capture sweet moments like this. 

What Are YOU Celebrating This Week?

Celebrate this Week-April 26, 2014

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

I hope you all had many things to celebrate this week. Here are some things I am celebrating as I look back on my week.

Staycation

This week we were on vacation here in Maine. Our family is so fortunate that we all get to spend our vacations together since both my husband and I work in schools (he is a school secretary). We stayed put this week and it was SO great! We did some much needed cleaning and organizing in our home, watched movies, read, did errands, played outside and just hung out. It was exactly the vacation I needed. 

Easter

Our family was able to get together on Easter at my sister's house. The cousins have an egg hunt and we all have a huge Easter dinner and talk at the table. TJ got alphabet letters in his eggs since he doesn't like candy, but he LOVES letters. here is a video of him reenacting Chicka Chicka Boom Boom in a tree outside. 

An Unexpected Meeting

On Wednesday morning my husband and I were dropping the kids off with Nana so we could go back home and clean the basement (romantic, I know). We ran into some dear friends when we stopped for gas and after chatting, we decided to meet at a local restaurant to have breakfast with them. It was so nice to get to talk to my friends and have grown-up conversation. Definitely a highlight!

Mother-Daughter Day!

On Friday my 12 year-old daughter Molly and I spent the day together. We had our hair done and went clothes and shoe shopping. Then we watched a girly movie together.  It was so nice to spend uninterrupted time with her. 

Molly loves her new do!

Generous Donations

This week I have felt the generosity of my community in two ways. First, I had a Donors Choose Project funded! My partner teacher and I submitted a $550 project for books (of course) and it was funded this week! I can't wait for my kids to see these new books. 

If that wasn't enough, my family is participating in the Walk for Autism to benefit The Autism Society of Maine tomorrow. Our friends and family have helped us raise over $300 so far! We are looking forward to walking together. I'm sure it will be in next week's celebration post. 

What are YOU celebrating friends?

Celebrate this Week-April 12, 2014

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

Here are some of my recent celebrations.

A Patriotic Little Boy

I talk about my son TJ quite a bit in my celebration posts. He has autism and never ceases to amaze me. This week he learned how to recite The Pledge of Allegiance in his own special way. He gets some of the words and some is of his own creation. He puts his hand on his heart and it is beyond adorable. He is even saying it loud and proud with his class. 

The Magic of Harry!

It is no secret that I am a huge Harry Potter fan. You can imagine my excitement when a child in my class discovers JK Rowling's magical series. Some years I have a class that loves these books and others they just don't. It has been so wonderful for me to watch this year's class slowly become Potter Heads. The best part is that none of it (well not much anyway) has come from me. They have watched each other devour the books and decided to give them a try. Now I really need to replace the series in my room as they are becoming quite worn. The kicker came for me this week when a student who has vehemently, flat out refused to read the books picked one up off the shelf. I did a silent celebration because if I had made a fuss he would have put it back. He is on chapter two so I am holding my breath. I love these books and what they do to help create engaged, motivated readers. 

Let's go to the Movies

This event actually will be happening today so I will probably write about it next week, but I am really excited about it. Today our whole family gets to go to the movies together! A local Rotary Club sponsors a "sensory friendly" movie for families affected by autism once a year. Today it is Rio 2. It is so nice for the four of us to be able to go together. Here are some pictures from last year. 

What Are You Celebrating This Week?

Celebrating this Week-March 29, 2014

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

This will be short because I am getting ready to leave for a long weekend away with my hubby! so, of course, that is what I am celebrating. After the last few weeks of parent-teacher conferences, report cards and my daughters play for 3 weekends, my husband and I are heading to North Conway, New Hampshire. 

The White Mountain Hotel and Resort

This is a tradition we started 5 years ago. Like most busy, working parents, we get very little time together. This makes it hard to stay connected as a couple. We don't go our on many dates because our son has autism and only a few family members are prepared to care for him. So this is the one weekend a year we spend together with NO KIDS! Don't get me wrong, obviously I love my kids, but I am also human and need a break every now and then. 

We spend 2 nights in NH. We shop the outlets, soak in the hot tub, talk, eat and sleep in. It is a wonderful weekend of relaxing and connecting. Of course the conversation always seems to drift back to the kids, but that's ok. 

I apologize that I won't be able to read or comment on blogs today, but I gotta go pack!!

Enjoy your weekends friends!

Celebrating This Week- Parents, Performances and Publications

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week.  Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration. 

Again, I have had to take a break from blogging due to a very school and family life. This week I have many things to celebrate. 

Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
This was conference week at school. Although it is a crazy, busy week, I really enjoy talking with families. Together, my partner teacher and I hosted 48 conferences! It is so nice to discuss the students' progress in school and just to look back on our year together so far. 

My Daughter's Play
Molly is in the cast of Beauty and the Beast Jr. performed by Windham Center Stage Theater. She is the Old Beggar Woman, a wolf and a townsperson. I love watching her up on stage. When she is performing with her friends she is so happy. She displays a wonderful confidence that I love to see.  

My First Article for Choice Literacy
I was thrilled to have my first article published for Choice Literacy this week. It is about using your own reading to model reading strategies. I was also fortunate to have Brenda Power from Choice Literacy visit my classroom on Monday. She is such a smart and respected educator and it was so nice to have her with us.

Sticking With It
I am happy to celebrate nearly three weeks without having any sugar. I began the Whole30 Challenge three weeks ago and really can't believe I have managed to stick with it. I am rather proud of myself and I feel great! 

What Are YOU Celebrating This Week?