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I’m honored and excited to be a part of the 3rd annual College to Classroom Success Summit this year! Click on the link to learn how you can be a part of it too! college2classroom.com/summit

There have been many moments during this Teacher of the Year journey where I have paused and thought, “is this real life?!” Another one of those moments happened today when I received my official photos from the White House. ❤️ Also, Space Camp is next month! 🚀

My official sabbatical year doesn’t start until July 1, but I’ve been busy! Today I spent my morning leading a breakout session at the College to Classroom Summit, then I was off to the Department of Ed to have a purposeful conversation with our new Director.

Never have I ever been so sure of the unsure! #choosinggrace

Next up: SPACE CAMP! I’m overpacked, highly caffeinated, and super excited to spend time with my cohort ❤️ Iowa Department of Education #NTOY23 #IATOY23

Night one was so much fun! Yesterdays take aways: 🖤it’s okay to be comfortable with the uncomfortable 💛camaraderie makes the world go round 🖤be there for one another (a group of us went to the airport last night to pick up a friend who had been delayed all day!) CCSSO

Wow! What a great first day! Key takeaways: 🖤 remember what it’s like to be a kid 💛have a dogged determination to meet your goals 🖤”do the work”-inspire, motivate, and inform! 💛it doesn’t matter what your passion is, there’s a place for it! #CCSSO #NTOY23 #IATOY23

On Day 3 we successfully completed a mission to Mars and performed a water rescue mission! Key takeaways: 🖤the call to explore is always there 💛the ripple effect of action can be profound 🖤”out there begins here” 💛Space Camp is FUN!!!! CCSSO #NTOY23 #IATOY23

Day 4 update! We completed several low ropes challenges, worked on our team patch, watched a planetarium show, completed a few STEAM activities, and experienced a 1/6 gravity chair! Not a lot of pictures today because we were BUSY! CCSSO #NTOY23 #IATOY23

I believe this with my whole heart! ❤️ Every interaction matters. Every conversation matters. “The best part of teaching is that it matters. The hardest part of teaching is that it matters every day”

“Joy is a vitamin for the soul. You should have a little every day”

These two officially ended their seasons with the MVP tournament. They both had a lot of fun playing with old teammates and meeting new ones!

It was an honor to give the Back to School Keynote speech to Southeast Polk Community School District staff! My message focused on the importance and value in Choosing Grace this school year 🩷 I also threw out the first pitch at the Iowa Cubs game! Fun times 😀 Iowa Department of Education

It’s a great day when I get to spend it with Sara Russell! Not only has Sara become a dear friend, but she’s been an incredible mentor for me during my Teacher of the Year journey. Thank you for investing in me, Sara! I’m so glad this TOY journey has brought us together.

Back to school I go! #teacherleadership

Teachers and administrators, this is a FANTASTIC read! 🩷

The last time I was in a homecoming parade was circa 2003 when I was on the Homecoming Court! 20 years sure flies😳 I also realized it’s impossible for me to not throw out candy to every kid that smiled and waved at us. I may have run out of candy, but I sure had fun!!

What a great afternoon learning about work-based learning experiences at SEP Schools. Way to go SEP!

Thank you Drake University for welcoming me onto your campus today! I loved being able to spend time with your pre-service teachers and share with them ways to find success and joy in their future classrooms. #2023IATOY

Foundational values for me as an educator include integrity, collaboration, growth mindset, and grace #EdChat