Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education

The first six weeks of school have been filled with busy and hurry.  I found myself moving so fast without really thinking. I knew I needed to carve a bit of time out for myself, so my husband and I took a long weekend to head to the mountains.  Every October we head north to New Hampshire to take in the splendor of autumn leaves turning into their full golden glory. I...

During the first week of October, I continue to make strong connections with our students.  It seems that there is sometimes an overwhelming sense of stress woven through our days at school.  The pace picks up, world news seeps in, and there is a general sense that all is not right in the world. I want to keep school as a haven for th...

I look forward to September because I anticipate school starting and connecting with students. As a learning specialist, my number one job isn’t teaching a curriculum—it’s building trust. I know that connection is key. So, from day one, I seek to build connections that make them feel safe, seen, and heard. We have over two hundred students in our elemen...

As this first month of school quickly comes to an end and October looms over the orange horizon, my mind keeps turning to comfort. I’m still adjusting to getting up early, cooler mornings, and the rapid pace of the school day. There is no time to slow down.  I run until I’m exhausted, but there must be a better way. My younger colleagues look to me for sage advice.  How ...