HOW COOL IS THIS?

This is what is happening in my classroom at this very minute!! I had to peek before they are finished.  One of the guys said "you know you have the coolest Smartboard in the district, don't you?".  You bet I do! I am so grateful for the folks at Smart Technologies and their commitment to the National Teacher of the Year program.  Each of the 53 national candidates were awarded a new Smartboard.  I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.  Oh the possibilities.......

Spring Break Highlights!!

Hanging out with the fabulous baker boys!

Catching up on some reading!

Chillin with some old friends!



Starting a recorder garage band! We rock!!

You Know It's New Ulm When....

You are greeted by one of three daily Glockenspiel shows.  I was charmed to the core! And...

You order the German Sampler and the waitress brings this AND a salad AND German Chocolate Cake!  And....

You get to enjoy all of that with some really nice teachers from New Ulm, Mankato, St. Peter and other surrounding communities! It was a really great day to be on the road and watch spring come out of it's shell. It was also a great day to drive home alone....did you look at that meal?! Thanks for the invitation and the generous hospitality!!

Lobby, Rally, Repeat. Lobby, Rally, Repeat.

 I have spent the last few days in St. Paul at the Capitol. These are interesting times politically, indeed. It is really energizing to show up at the Capitol with thousands of fire fighters, nurses, construction workers and police officers in support of our unions. It was loud, intense and wild!  Rallies are one way to get a message heard LOUD and CLEAR.

The next day was a day for thoughtful conversations with our elected officials. We had great discussions with Representative Pelowski about schools and the importance of getting involved in the political discussion to shape the kind of Minnesota we want to live in.



It was great to meet with the new dad and  our Senator, Jeremy Miller as well.  The Senator has always been interested in having conversations with teachers in our district.  His son will start kindergarten in 2017 and will graduate with the class of 2030!  Quality teachers and excellent schools are what we all hope for little Mr. Miller and all children in Minnesota.

Thanks for a great day at the Capitol my teacher friends, Lizz, Karla and Linda. Lobbying isn't the first choice of spring break options for most teachers but we had a great few days together!

I am so lucky to work with some really great people at Education Minnesota.  Meet Paul Winkelaar. It is rare to find a person more suited for his job.  He is passionate about schools and teachers. He spends his days helping teachers get their voices heard at the Capitol and in their communities across the state. I appreciate his energy, his enthusiasm and his wicked sense of humor.



Thank You!!

Wow!  The baskets were creative and beautiful.  So much hard work and generosity went into each and every one of them.  My team here at Early Childhood worked so hard to pull it all together.  I am so grateful to everyone and so happy for the lucky winners!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Bluffview

Parents, teachers and administrators had a great conversation last night at Bluffview here in Winona.  We took on the topic of Simplicity Parenting inspired by the book by Kim John Payne, a favorite of mine! We spent a good amount of time talking about how much stuff kids have and the influence of media in their lives. I think the only way to save childhood is to have lots of community conversations about what is best for kids so the adults in their world can redefine what "right looks like". Pictured above is Stephanie, the new director of Bluffview and Stephanie, a classroom assistant and ECFE alumni. I am holding the flowers that Stephanie got for Stephanie for organizing the event and feel just awful this morning because I just walked right out of the building with those flowers! Nice move, Mrs. Smith! Thanks Bluffview!

The Monte Way!

I loved my time in Montevideo! Meet Allison, the instigator, who asked me to come to Monte last fall at the Political Conference.  Allison is a childhood friend of my friend Karen (more on her later) and the link inspired me to take the road trip.  Next to me is Amy, the ECFE Coordinator and Kris, the parent facilitator and PTSA President.  Thanks to all of them, I was able to speak to the teaching staff, take a tour of the Early Childhood facilities and present to the community. If a great teaching staff is an indicator of a healthy community, Montevideo must be a great place to raise kids. Too bad it is so far away which brings me to my Monte Entourage.....

It just made sense to  invite my friend Karen to visit her home town and when you invite Karen, you invite an adventure! Meet a few of my gal pals who joined me on the road trip.  We loaded up the Malibu and headed west to see for ourselves this town we have heard so much about. I closely follow the girl gang code of "what happens in......stays in.....".  I will just tell you this, the Monte Way is about laughter, connecting and creating new memories.  Thank you Kathy, Karen and Nancy for taking the trip with me.