I have been spending a lot of time evaluating this school year and my work as an educator through this pandemic. I have been teaching for a long time and normally have my prep work down to a science;  but this year I find I am spending many more hours trying to prepare lessons for my classes. There are a lot of reasons for this.  So many … Continue reading Learning and Leading Through a Pandemic

Being a teacher and a parent right now in our country has taken on a whole new meaning.  This is my 23rd year in education and I have to say I have never seen nor imagined anything like what we are experiencing right now.  The emotions I am experiencing are so hard to explain.  I am the mother of a senior in high school.  My … Continue reading Looking for the Rainbow 

If one thing is for certain, we are all different. From the people you live with, work with, pass on the street, interact with on social media, view on television, we are all so vastly different. However, I am convinced that we all have the desire to be happy. I can’t imagine anyone waking up wishing to have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad … Continue reading The Road to Happiness

I have yet to meet a teacher who doesn’t wish to perfect their craft. Reflection is an excellent way to critically examine your teaching. Even though I consider reflection to be a vital tool to make more effective educators, I propose that excellent educators take reflection a step further – great teachers own and evaluate their impact. Teacher Ownership   Taking ownership is a difficult but … Continue reading Own Your Impact

As I reflect on things I’m thankful for, of course, the first things I think of are my family and friends. They are the most important things to me without a doubt. At this time of year however, I find myself stopping to consider why I am so grateful to have made the choice to be a teacher. I am currently in my 23rd year … Continue reading Grateful to be a Teacher

This is the fourth post in a four-part series around our Sticky Core Values. This blog is co-written by Jordan Greene, currently a Taylor Mill Leader and 5th grade teacher, Holly Roth, currently a Taylor Mill Leader and special education teacher, Kelly Savicki currently a Taylor Mill Leader and Counselor, and Melody Stacy, currently a Taylor Mill Leader and Principal at Taylor Mill Elementary. INSPIRE The USS … Continue reading Turn the Ship Around

This is the third post in a four-part series around our Sticky Core Values. This blog is co-written by Katelyn Callahan, currently a Taylor Mill Leader and 4th grade teacher, Brittany Starnes, currently a Taylor Mill Leader and 1st grade teacher, Jan Kane, currently a Taylor Mill Leader and Music teacher, Natasha Greis, currently a Taylor Mill Leader and 1st grade teacher. INSPIRE In the opening … Continue reading Just Like Roosevelt

This post is second in a four-part series around our Sticky Core Values. This blog is co-written by Jordan Greene, currently a Taylor Mill Leader and 5th grade teacher, Kim Laughlin currently Assistant Principal and Taylor Mill Leader, and Melody Stacy, currently Believer-in-Chief at Taylor Mill Elementary. INSPIRE In the 1930’s, during the height of the depression, the University of Washington put together a rowing … Continue reading Mind in Boat

This is the first post in a four-part series around our Sticky Core Values. This blog is co-written by Blair Hicks, currently a 5th grade Taylor Mill Leader, Erik Larson, currently a 3rd grade Taylor Mill Leader, Kelly Savicki, currently a Counselor and Taylor Mill Leader, and Melody Stacy, currently Believer-in-Chief at Taylor Mill Elementary. INSPIRE Are you ready for a pop quiz? Yes? Ok, … Continue reading The Genius of AND

With every start to a new year, comes reflection, goal setting, and new hopes for the future.  We all do this, right? As one year is coming to an end, it’s natural for us to look back and think about the good times, the bad, and the things we swore we were going to change after the holidays.  However, when the time comes, the phrase … Continue reading Big Changes Start Small