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History,Life,Reflections

Ancestral Reckoning

posted on : July 8, 2021 0 Comment

Rose. Mary. Rhoda. Say their names. Recently, I discovered I am a direct descendant of slaveholders. It started when I stumbled across a slave schedule from the 1850 US census. There were only two listed, but there they were. Written in black ink on white paper. No names. Simply their…

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Teacher,Travel

How Conferences Can Be a Foolproof Way to Travel

posted on : April 11, 2021 0 Comment

I love to travel. As a teacher, however, it can become difficult to plan trips throughout the entire year. Yes, teachers get summers off, but what about traveling the other 3/4 of the year? Early in my career, I discovered how conferences can be a foolproof way to travel…

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Goals & Resolutions,Life,Reflections,Thoughts

Finding My Voice in the New Year

posted on : January 3, 2021 0 Comment

Let me preface by saying…I love New Years. I love all the possibility that comes with a new year. I love setting intentions, goals, resolutions…all of it. I love to daydream about what my life could be over the next 12 months. I usually write down…

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Goals & Resolutions,Life,Running

Running the Race of Life

posted on : November 27, 2020 0 Comment

“Running a race is a lot like life.“ “Running a race is a lot like life.” This was the thought that kept playing in my mind as I was running my most recent half marathon (virtually, as is 2020). Sometimes the goal is not to be…

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Home,Life,Oklahoma,Reflections,Thoughts

I Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day

posted on : October 13, 2020 0 Comment

Back in August, I got a tattoo on my forearm. It was something I’ve wanted for close to 10 years, and finally, just before turning 32 years old, I decided to go for it. The tattoo is of an arrow with the word, “nchitanisi” in it. A Lenape word…

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Running

My Favorite Items for Half-Marathon Training

posted on : June 16, 2020 2 Comments

Today is officially day one of my half-marathon training for the fall. I can hardly believe it’s already time to start training for a race that isn’t scheduled until October, but such is training life! As training amps up, I’m reevaluating my favorite…

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Life,Reflections,Teacher,Teaching

Dear White Parents: A Letter from a White Educator

posted on : June 10, 2020 0 Comment

Dear White Parents, Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve seen an abundance of resources appear for how to address the current racial crisis in our nation with our children. There are books you can read to your child, tips for how to handle conversations about…

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Life,Oklahoma,Reflections,Teaching

May is Not My Favorite Month, Part Three

posted on : May 20, 2020 0 Comment

The last few days I’ve been recounting my story of surviving the May 20, 2013 Moore tornado.  Today is the seven-year anniversary, and I wanted my post to focus on my experiences and struggles with PTSD, my recovery process, and me now.  As I say…

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Life,Oklahoma,Reflections,Teaching

May is Not My Favorite Month, Part Two

posted on : May 19, 2020 0 Comment

Yesterday, I began sharing my story from May 20, 2013.  I was at work at a junior high in Moore, Oklahoma when an EF5 tornado ravaged the community.  I have not shared my story in depth since 2013.  It is my hope that by sharing my story…

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Life,Oklahoma,Reflections,Teaching

May is Not My Favorite Month, Part One

posted on : May 18, 2020 0 Comment

Here’s what I know about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and trauma:  just when you think you’re “cured,” that you’re “over it,” that it no longer has any kind of hold on you…you’re wrong. I do…

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