What Was I Even Worried About?

About a year ago, I was blessed to attend the ECET2-KS (Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers in Kansas) Conference in Overland Park, KS. One of the events that took place during this conference was a Q & A session with the State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Randy Watson. I was challenged by my table-mates to ask Dr. Watson what he saw full-day preschool looking like. Here's how that conversation went:

Me: “Can you please tell us what your thinking is on moving to a full-day preschool program in the

state of Kansas?”

Dr. Watson: “Why do you ask?”

Me: “Because I was teaching half-day kindergarten when that moved to a full-day program and I have

really strong feelings about shoving developmentally, inappropriate academics dow the throats

of my little people.”

Dr. Watson: “Who said anything about more academics?”

Me: “That's what happened when kindergarten went to full-day.”

Dr. Watson: “Listen. I believe that every child under the age of eight should have a play-based

education. Young children learn best through play.”

He received a standing ovation!

Fast forward to this school year. Many of you know that I changed districts. The one I moved to, Nickerson/South Hutchinson School District, also went to a full-day preschool program for their four year-old class for the first time. Let me tell you: I don't even know what I was worried about. Full-day is fantastic!! There is so much more time for relationship-building. I am able to get to know the kids and their families so much better! The students have much more opportunities for play! The students are able to go to “Specials” (PE, Computer Lab, Music, Counselor, Library). They can learn from other adults in the building. The students have more time to make friends and bond with one another! Full-day preschool is simply an amazing opportunity for children and for me!

Surviving Domestic Violence

     Today, an article popped up on my Facebook news feed.  It was about the deaths related to domestic violence being the highest they've been in the past twenty years in the state of Kansas.  As a domestic violence survivor, I felt compelled to use my blog platform to address this.
     There is quite a bit of information coming out now about mental illness, as well as generational abuse.  Some children are victims of their upbringing.  If they were abused as a child, they sometimes grow up to be abusers.
     In my own case, I believe it was the latter.  My former mother-in-law had mementoes of her physical altercations with her mother-in-law displayed in her home.  She also moved out the family's antiques in the middle of the night.  So to say the family was dysfunctional is an understatement.  If I'd only known then, what I know know, about children growing up in trauma.
     There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that, had I stayed, I would not be here to write this blog.  I remember, one time him saying to me, "You'll never leave me.  I'll kill you first!"  He was a hunter, so he had access to guns and hunting knives. So I stayed.  I remember holding our baby daughter when he punched me in the arm, so hard that it bruised into my breast.  I left, but went back.  I remember being thrown down on our bed and raped.  I was so afraid of him, I stayed.  I remember coming back from a weekend visiting family, and finding glittery pantyhose in our daughter's bed. They were not her size. That was the final straw.  It's one thing to endanger the life and safety of a grown adult.  It's a completely different story when it's the life of your child! 
     I asked him to leave and figure out his priorities.  He said, "If you want me out, file!"  I gave all the weapons in our home to  a friend for safe-keeping.  I had another friend help me move all of his stuff to the garage. I had the locks changed.  And I filed.  He could only get into the garage to get his stuff.
     I stayed in the state where we were living until the divorce was final.  Then I moved back home, with our three year old.  Because he had family in the same state, he didn't fight me on moving back.  I could tell you that the story ended there.  It did not.  I have made my own peace this relationship and my past.  There is so much more to the story.  It is not mine to share, so I will just leave it at that.
     What I will say is that I see domestic abuse and neglect on the rise each and every day.  I pray for the victims of domestic abuse and violence.  I consider myself and my daughter two of the lucky ones, but not without our own damage.  At least we're both alive, unlike the so many victims that were not as fortunate.
     If you are a victim of domestic abuse, please, seek help.  your life could depend on it.

How I Got To Where I Am (Amazing Influencers)

     One of the best educational experiences of my life! My first podcast with the authors of “Stories In Edu: Sailing With a Fleet,” in which I am a contributing author.

     Come sit a spell and listen to how I became the teacher I am today!

(I will warn you, it's forty minutes long)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG4M3Kdqs6A&t=6s

The Struggle Is Real

     Let me start by saying that I'm sorry I don't post on my blog more often.  I only blog when something really touches me deep down inside.  Today it's this:

     I'm not sure what it is, but I just don't feel like I can ever just sit back and think to myself, "I've got this handled."  Just when I do, something else rears it's ugly head and I'm behind the proverbial eight ball again.  There are so many things over which I have no control and that's not something I handle very well.

     So for now...

     This, I must believe.