Happy Birthday, Mara!

Mara has become a dear friend of mine and it was her birthday today! Mara passed away in September from DIPG, an inoperable brain tumor. She was a student at AJ and was in my class up until her death. She was there on Friday, September 19th and passed away Monday, September 22nd. As her mom shared today at her birthday celebration, "Mara didn't come to school because she had to, she came because she wanted to."

The birthday party was grand in my eyes. My students have been anticipating this day for a very long time. They made butterflies and posters to decorate the gym. Family and friends added balloons, pink tulle netting, a banner....add some children and you have a birthday party! It was a beautiful sight.

The family dedicated a plaque to our school. It is amazing. If you are ever in the area, stop in to see it. It is worth the trip! A cherry blossom tree will be planted in Mara's honor on the school grounds. Under the tree, "forget me not's" will be planted.

An amazing day for an amazing child. Happy 7th Birthday, Mara!

3.2.09

March Already?

• STILL working on National Boards. I wonder what I will blog about when I am DONE?!
• Tuckered out because I have been working on National Boards so much.
• Still buying books for National Boards.
• Still need to video tape my classroom setup for National Boards.
• I will be taking my National Board exam in May.
• ACL being replace the day after I turn in my National Board portfolio.

Can you tell what is on my mind?

2.8.09

Quick Notes:

• I am STILL working on Nat. Boards as much as possible. March 31st is right around the corner. Eeek. I have to turn in my portfolio by then. Type, type, type.
• I am taping myself teach several times a week. This is a rough process. I sound like a man on every video. Great.
• I injured my knee in a mean kickball game in December. I will be having surgery in April. Not happy.
• I have one week of teaching left before mid winter break. One week off. Thank goodness.
• I had breakfast for dinner last night and again this morning. This makes me happy.
• I am looking forward to doing some small craft projects when I have time.
• I just signed up to be a captain for Relay for Life again this year. We will walk in memory of my student, Mara Adams.
• I need to get a haircut. Maybe mid winter break.

1.24.08

I am almost positive that other blog posters have more exciting news to share than what I am about to share, but please consider reading on in order to get up to date with the Jackson household....

As usual, time is flying by. I still can't remember the last time I was actually "bored." I can't wait until the day I get to post about being "bored."

I am constantly working or thinking about my National Boards. It doesn't seem to get any easier as the days past, but only more worry-some. After a day of teaching it is hard to come home to work on papers, videos, etc. On the weekends, I concentrate on getting work done, but weekends like this make it difficult. I had a district training today and am meeting with my cohort group tomorrow. This does not allow time to be "bored."

Thinking back, I don't recall Richard being bored either. He is busy with work and keeping tabs on the tenants. Recently, he has been working on site Mondays and Tuesdays and working from home the following days. I take him to the bus on Mon. and Tues. which always is a time crunch, but we seem to manage.

Looking forward to the day I am bored,
April

Office Door

Below are a few pictures of the shoe holder I am using for organization. I punched holes (using my new "BIG BITE" tool), inserted large eyelets, made tags and threaded ribbon throught eyelet to label each pocket.

1.2.09 Photos

Richard and I at Zoo Lights

Christmas lunch at Shari's...oh, the decisions!

Dinner at the Crab Pot in Seattle

Me, trying to escape....I'm okay.

Mom and Dad in front of tree at Zoo Lights.

Snow! 12.22.08