The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Wanted to put something pretty up for those of you who have this blog on your feed. I apologize for keeping the signature up for so long! Happy Fall!

Find Me On FACEBOOK....gulp!!

I know, I know! I have been avoiding Facebook for several years for lots of reasons......

1. I can't even keep two bathrooms clean at once, how would I ever find time to check Facebook?
2. It's for kids! I like the thought of letting my kids have their own clubhouse, a place to call their own, a place that I am not invited.
3. At the end of the day, I like to hang up my parent ed hat. In all sincerity, I take pride in being very available to my students.  I worry that if I come out on Facebook, that I will be doing parent education in my jammies at all hours of the day.
4. I do NOTHING in moderation. Not. one. thing. I am attracted to bright shiny things and have to force myself to be a grown up sometimes. Does Hazelden have a program for Facebook addicts yet?

With these concerns in mind, I did a thorough investigation about a possible future relationship between me and Facebook.  I asked friends who know me well.  I asked my kids.  I asked small business owners.  I hemmed, I hawed, and I stewed...... Eventually, I sat down between two twenty somethings that held my hand as they walked me through privacy settings and administrative details to my new place.

I am happy to announce that you can find a small part of me on Facebook beginning today!  I have a business page so that all of you who love to know what I am doing and where I am speaking next can keep track of me. I am working hard at making my classroom bigger than the one I occupy in Winona and I am very serious about engaging Minnesotans in a conversation to save childhood.  I am looking for champions of childhood.  I hope you are with me!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katy-Smith/501711756519108

Flipping for Books

I am so excited about Jon Klassen's new book! I will read it to you all on Saturday at the high school at 10:00am!

Time to Say "Goodbye"

 

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” 

― A.A. Milne


I think I have it.  I have been obsessing for awhile about how to say goodbye to my blog.  It is time.  I don't want to say goodbye until I have a place to send you, my loyal readers, to though.  I will have that new place next weekend.  For now, for you and for me, it seems like a great time for some reflection and gratitude. I am truly grateful for the life and career changer being named the 2011 Minnesota Teacher of the Year has been.  I think I just might spend the rest of my life thanking people for the great opportunity to make my classroom so much bigger than I had ever imagined it could be. I have always been curious about limits, especially the ones we put on ourselves.  I had no choice in this but to embrace the advice from Dr. David Walsh.  He told me to "walk through every door that opens for you" and I did.  I am a better person for it and braver indeed.  I have been given a new sense of confidence in the work that I do.  Thank you for that!

Anoka, The Halloween Capital of the World!

I spoke last night in Anoka, MN the Halloween Capital of the World! I didn't mean to take a spooky picture but it fits.  I got all caught up after my talk to a house full of parents with a fellow Winona State University Alumni. By the time I remembered to take a picture for my blog, I was outside laughing with my new pal.  She agreed to let me post whatever showed up on my camera! I love spontaneous, fun folks and Minnesota is full of them. I am so honored to spend time with parents talking about what kids need from the grown ups who love and care about them.  My youngest audience member to date is little Elin, she is ten days old today and I was happy to be the first keynoter in her life! Thanks to Miscelle for organizing a great evening.  I hope to see you all again.

Thank You Aldrich!

What a pleasure to spend the evening with parents, teachers and staff at Aldrich Memorial Nursery School last night.  Some of the teachers had heard me speak last fall in Pine Island and worked hard to make last night happen.  Aldrich is a beautiful facility in Rochester, MN.  A warm, inviting place full of nice people....just the kind of place you would want your child to be. I was thinking on my drive home that I ought to be taking names. When I think about how many people I have asked to be champions for childhood in the last 18 months or so, the list would be impressive.

 

"I Want My Hat Back" was a big hit.  I am starting to feel like that old bear is my friend.  I took the time to find an email address for Jon Klassen and told him how much I love his book and how many Minnesotans do too.  I got the nicest email back from him. I love to read to kids. I believe that parents who love to read pass that love along to their children through hours of lap time and piles of books. It's cuddle up season in Minnesota, a perfect time to snuggle in with a child and a great book.