29/180

Balancing has been challenging.

It's hard to keep tabs on someone who doesn't want to be kept.

But-I-don't-trust-him.

We changed the workroom around last night.

Let's hope it helps.

I'm trying to change my mindset.

Positive words...

We played Bingo today.

Well sort of.

Not sure if they understood what to do,

but it was an introduction

to matching

and we had a nice Bingo announcer.

I love science.

I wish we were using our science lab.

I wish I could teach them in person.

This will have to do for now.

#observations

Some people you just connect with.

Some people you just like.

Martha was one of my first friends at Belvedere.

She graduate from Sacred Heart of Jesus.

They produce amazing women there.

She's my second dear friend that graduated from SH.

Today was Martha's last day.

She "retired" today.

I am going to miss her.

Enjoy your next adventure

young lady and visit often!

Thank you for being my friend.

Thank you for the treats and yummy foods.

I'll still be around in case you want to bring some more!

#Iloveposolenopata

Congratulations!

28/180

Weekends are not really free days

when you are a single parent with two 

boys/men who have very different needs.

But yesterday (Monday) we had the day off.

A two hour walk along the beach

with your dog

and good friends

is time well spent.

It's Tuesday!

OT Day.

I always learn something new from our occupational therapist.

Activities I will definitely use again next year in class.

Today, Ice Break Challenge!

Sensory play and fine motor skills.

I love this age!

#determination

I saw this post today.

It says all there is to say about the amazing

parents in my class.

#grateful

#Iamanimmigrant

#myfamilystory

#memoriesofmom

27/180 Heroes Assemble

It was Yellow Day!

We wore yellow.

We bounced, jumped, threw, and caught.

We surprised and celebrated a dear friend,

who has spent 22 years as the gatekeeper

at the front desk

of the office.

She was one of my first friends at Belvedere.

Patient and kind

and my go to gal.

What will we do without her?

Enjoy your retirement Martha!

You can't stay away for too long...

we know where you live!

I got to see and chat with my former student T 

and his brother Little T today.

They lost their home and belongings in a fire

a little over a week ago.

I met up with their mom to give her donations

I had gathered from family and friends.

I can't imagine.

She was strong and on her way with her 4 children

to their next lodging location.

She had called an XL Uber to take her from her motel

to the school.

T and Little T were as charming as they always are.

Happy, beautiful boys with long curly hair pulled back in a ponytail.

T was excited about the legos.

Little T told me about a toy Spiderman he had in his home.

He doesn't have it anymore

but he was excited that someone dropped off a Spider costume.

Next time I see him, 

I will have a Spiderman.

Just in case...

Bryce went with me to the RBG exhibit at the Skirball several years back.

Daniel went with me to see the film: "On the Basis of Sex."

Today he went with me to pay respects to an American Hero.

No matter what your politics are

She stood for justice for all.

Rest in Power dear RBG.

We thank you for your service to others.

26/180 Being D's Mom Part 3

My students constantly amaze me.

Even though we are teaching remotely,

and we can't be there to monitor them closely,

I can still tell they are learning and growing.

It's Day 26 and small groups are one of my favorite times.

I get to interact more with them and check for understanding.

Today we made patterns.

They were on task and working independently. #teachergoals

Teaching comes natural to me.

Parenting, not so much.

Or maybe I should say,

parenting is more challenging.

But this week was a good week.

D called to say he got a job!

It's been a tough 6 months.

Trying to get through a pandemic is hard.

It's even harder when you are a 19 year old, 

socially awkward, young man with a disability

trying to find your way in the world.

Online learning wasn't for him.

So he quit school.

Staying cooped up at home with your mom and brother

was even more challenging,

for all involved.

He moved out in July to an assisted living arrangement.

It was tough at first

but he's gotten the hang of it

and enjoys the freedom of being on his own.

And this week, 

he got a job offer!

Small steps celebrated.

#Parentinggoals

25/180 Cows, Dinosaurs, and Home Deliveries

This morning we had our first class virtual field trip.

We visited a dairy farm.

We saw cows.

We learned from farmers.

Then we logged out of that zoom and into our class zoom.

Everyone made it safely back.

Today I learned that we can all go to Dino Fest together.

We watched it live for the most part.

But when there's a lot more talking than puppetry

it was enough.

Four year olds online for over 2 hours really need a break.

So do their teachers.

When you are teaching from school

and your students are at home

you want to bring school to them.

At least I do.

My team and I have been working hard 

to make learning from home as much like learning in school.

I look around our classroom and I see stuff all over the place.

Stuff students NEED to use to learn

and experience.

It's a lot of stuff.

  

 

The boards were ready.

I wanted to keep them simple and personal.

It will do for now.

I love material dispersement. 

I love it because I get to interact live with my students.

I know it sounds strange

but that's the kind of school year we are having.

I usually don't retake First Day of School pictures.

I love genuine first day faces.

But today I made an exception.

I use their first day pictures for role-call each day.

It is Day 25.

G's tearful first day picture didn't reflect 

who he is now.

So many changes and it's only been 5 weeks!

After class I made my usual home deliveries

to the families that can't pick up.

I know their homes well.

E's tia's front porch,

P's neighbors dog gang that is more bark than bite,

and N's friendly great abuela who answers the door.

I think I got this delivery thing down.

Maybe I can be an Amazon driver when I retire?

24/180

I love taking my students on field trips.

Last year we went on 13 of them.

This year we won't be walking or

taking the Metro or

riding in a school bus

but that doesn't mean they can't have experiences.

Experiences matter.

#DinoFest2020

23/180 Gratitude

It's been a tough year.

Not the way we expect things to be.

But we keep moving forward.

I saw this posting on someone's FaceBook last week.

It describes me.

I love to help.

Asking for help, 

well that's more challenging.

Today is World Gratitude Day.

I am grateful for so many things... 

and people.

(This is just from the past week...)

I am grateful for former students that become attorneys

and will sit in a long SST meeting just to support a fragile teen parent

looking for answers to help her kid.

I am equally grateful for her guidance in helping me raise 

and find support needed to help my young adult become more independent.

I am grateful for old friends that speak up and out

and share her expertises in a room full of professions.

I am grateful for her generosity in supporting my classroom, my students,

my sons, and my causes.

I am grateful for a teaching team

that allowed me to leave class early today, 

drive home, 

and take a last minute cancelation 

appointment with a busy doctor.

I am grateful for the recommendation

of a trusted friend,

who led me to find,

someone who would find a lower rate,

and make it possible for me

to fix my home,

and shower again.

I am grateful for the two amazing friends and coworkers

I work with each week 

who can take my crazy visions,

turn them into reality,

and make my life less stressful 

at work and home.

I am grateful to friends old and new,

who continue to give and donate

so that my students have all they need to learn at home

and I have all I need to teach them.

I am grateful for the kind and caring 

friends, family, students, and coworkers

who will come to the aid of two families in need

without asking for anything in return.

Their generosity far exceeded my expectations.

It's been a tough year.

But there is also much to be grateful for.

Thank You, and you know who you are.

I am grateful to have you in my life.

22/180 Friday Tired

It's been a tough day... week... year...

Today I was able to teach from the classroom.

It was the first time I was able to see the aftermath of the fire up close.

The street in front of my school has been blocked off for the past 3 days.

It's a bit eery, and yet calm.

The construction was at it's finally phase.

It was to be a low income housing for homeless veterans.

Now, it's a total loss.

We also lost the Unique 99.

Landmark building

that housed the quick-stop store

where I could find items for my class during lunch.

Boarded up now.

We found out one of our former student's family lost their home.

They lived behind the structure on the next street.

The back house.

Not sure if it was destroyed,

but they don't have a home now.

No belongings.

My teaching partner discovered that another one of our former students

lived in the front house.

They didn't lose all their belongings to flames,

but they can't go inside their home.

They can't retrieve belongings.

They stay outside during the day

and sleep at a relatives home at night.

Your life can change in a moment.

Rest in Power.
"with liberty and JUSTICE for all."
Some people are just that special.
She was one of them.

It was another tough night with the teen.

Spilled root beer should not be so dramatic.

I'm trying.

Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Oh,

Did I mention the earthquake before bed?

4.5

Centered in the San Gabriel Valley.

Guess where I live?

Tomorrow will be better.

21/180

Another day teaching from home.

Unstable Wifi connection.

Kicked out and froze several times.

And I upgraded my Wifi this summer.

Not a very good upgrade I guess.

I'm on the waitlist for a district hotspot.

I have students waiting too and have never shown up to class.

That's a lot of lost learning time.

But we move on.

We introduced rhythm sticks today.

We didn't have any at home.

We substituted with other items.

The kid didn't notice the difference.

So proud of my kiddos 

they are learning to write!

No need to be perfect.

Just explore.

Lines, curves, circles, and dots.

I love ECE!

First virtual Back to School Night.
We had a good turn out.

Some parents didn't want to leave.

So we hung out.

I booked 4 more field trips.

I baked 2 more coffee cakes.

Long day.

But a good day.