2024-2025 Digital Scrapbook

Year 30 is finished. I'm still learning.

So... my PD has really gone down... I only presented at the IDEACon in February, and it was because I have a new passion for helping myself (and others) with the stresses that come with teaching these days. I'm also reading - and writing in notebooks - a TON more. That's been very healthy for my mind.

August

- While camping this summer, I was on a Google Hangout call with a district in New Jersey, answering questions generated after they read Shift This. Oh, how great to hear their questions and answer with brutal honesty!

- I decided to volunteer to be a mentor this year, and I was able to be a mentor to our new reading interventionist.

- I decided to do "activity bus duty" once again. I'd done it for about two years awhile back, and it has lots of benefits for my mental health.

September

- I was invited to present at IDEACon once again... yet my district wasn't able to provide me an answer (to simply approve a substitute) within the two-week window I had to accept the invite. So... less work and stress for me is my silver lining.

December

- I was accepted to join and was able to attend our district's equity committee. 

January

- I hosted a book study for Fewer Things, Better for my district.

- I was able to attend a girls' volleyball game after school.

- TikTok went dark in the U.S. for a few hours. I'm grateful for the laughs that got me through teaching during a pandemic. I'm grateful for those who enjoyed my laughs and my book talks.

February

- I was able to attend "Leading for Equity" - PD put on by Britannica at Hinsdale South H.S.

April

- I hosted a book study for White Women for my district. 

- I partook in a "Hands Off" protest in Arlington Heights, IL.

May

- I partook in a "Mayday" protest in Elk Grove Village, IL.

- I received many notes of appreciation from former students. :)

June

- I partook in the "No Kings" protest in Schaumburg, IL.

- I am in a book study for Good White People.

I'm still learning a TON. In fact... I think I might stop these digital scrapbooks. First, I'm not doing as much as I used to. Secondly, I don't ever look back on these posts, and I originally wrote them to document my learning... but I don't need to. I can take it off my plate. Third, it looks pretty darn performative, and that's no good. I've got three more years of teaching. I'm letting so much go that I really don't need in my life - and that really doesn't do me or anyone else good. This will be one step. Next step? Go learn more. I'll never run out of things to learn! :D