I had the pleasure of representing all of the Donorschoose.org teachers at the board meeting in June in New York City. Here is my review on their site: Enjoy! Tales from the Boardroom P.S Be sure to comment on their site in the comment section below! They want to hear from you! CMO-Katie...
I don't know what started it but while I was in Japan and South Korea last summer, I just started taking pictures of random flowers that caught my eye. Since my focus of the trip was to see these cultures through the arts, I guess these beautiful creations didn't...
One of my educational mentors, Scott Bedley, once told me, “Genein, you can’t expect your students to do something you’re not willing to do yourself.” That struck a cord with me and I now make sure that I’m doing what I expect them to do, if not more. 'Be life...
Have you ever admired a wristwatch? Not just any old watch but a top of the line Movado that not only told time but also the date, your altitude, your heart rate AND it did with style? Donorschoose.org is like that Movado; beautiful, efficient and the top of its class...
Charlie 'Bird' Parker once said, "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Award-winning educator, Cassie Cox, cleverly connected this statement to the importance of educators "experiencing for ourselves what we hope to inspire." As Cassie headed to New York to study Duke Ellignton's contribution to...
That title was from a phrase an college friend would always say when talking about their dream of visiting South Korea. It's only fitting and proper that I label my final travel blog with it. Seoul, (which actually isn't pronouced 'soul' but 'se-uul') is a bubbling metropolitan sprinkled with art establishments,...
After flying from Hiroshima, Japan to Seoul, South Korea we embarked on a long bus ride to the east coast to Gangnuem. Though this was no Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train), traveling through this Korean countryside was relaxing within itself. The mountains during the ride from west South Korea (Seoul) to...
The cries. The wails. The sounds every parent holds their breath to hear. He's here. He's finally here! Healthy and crying with a full set of fingers and toes, they greeted their baby boy on the dawn of the morning, August 6th, 1945.Then it came.And in one second, he...
If Tokyo is the epicenter of the modern Orient, then Kyoto is like the #TBT (throwback Thursday) of Japan. Holding on to its distinct heritage, Kyoto is must see, with its cobblestone stone streets and temples galore, especially if you are on a educational cultural trek like I am.Surrounded...
Our last two days in Tokyo were completely filled. After many mentions from friends who have visited Japan (thanks Adam!), at the last minute I decided to visit the famous Tsukijo Fish Market in Tokyo. One must rise with the morning sun to be able to watch the exciting...
After many trains and subways, we finally reached Tokyo. My Hilton Ambassador, Chikoto, did a wonderful job showing us the cultural aspects of Japan but we really valued her showing us the train/subway systems! Valuable information I tell you. Valuable. Going through the Tokyo station was like going through a...
Last minute packing and moved our house sitters in. Then the alert email came in from the US Embassy: Alert typhoon headed toward Japan! Great. But even with that news, our flight wasn't delayed and we both usually reside on the optimistic side of it all. After a decent 10 hour flight...
DING! I turned my head to see the email pop up. Heart quickened, eyes focused. My first response letter from the NEH Summer Fellowship is in. I quickly scanned it just to see, ‘We regret to inform you that we cannot offer you a place for this year’s program.’ As my...
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Mr. Steven Miller was my 6th grade general studies teacher and he made me realize that it was ok to be me. It’s ok to be crazy and think out of the box. It’s ok to go above and beyond other people’s expectations of you (though they...
