"The first Cornerstone of my journey is resilience; it taught me to navigate Uncharted paths, to trust my voice, to rise with fortitude against adversities."

"This stone [of gratitude] is a testament to the life-altering impact of this journey, a journey that has enriched me in ways I could have never anticipated. It is a symbol of my eternal gratitude for the opportunity to grow, to connect, and to contribute to the tapestry of our educational community."

"The stone of zeal or great energy sits at the very top of my Caren and it represents my fervor for teaching and mentoring the next generation of Educators. It serves as a reminder of the impact and fulfillment our vocation offers."

"We have enough teachers certificated in Nebraska. How do we keep them? And I know you guys have all had this conversation... about how do we build creative teacher leadership.

.. Why are teachers leaving? I would love to change that dialogue and ask more teachers why are you still staying... why they're staying and then we can highlight those things.

.. It's really on us as adults to find the good and to have the hard conversations but to really spend some time posting about good and talking about the good and wearing our role in education proudly."

"More is caught than taught.. Our students are really watching everything we do, for better or worse. They're really looking to us to figure out how to manage when something didn't go my way or when I'm not feeling the best." 

".. Teachers want to be treated like professionals.  If you want to retain them, they need to be treated as such.  

We're at a teacher retention conference, yet there are only maybe two teachers in the audience?  Why aren't we better represented?  We deserve a voice at the table." 

".. I think most of the time kids want to do well. They want to feel success, they want to build on skills that they have.."

".. I think so often, when we take the time to pause, and to really be intentional and be present, we have all of the answers within us."

".. Use your values to lead your connection. 

Courage means you're willing to have the difficult conversation that will move the student forward."

"Thank you for representing Nebraska so well. I'm really excited about your work with prospective teachers because we know that with Workforce shortages one thing that we need to be doing is encouraging people to go into such an exciting worthwhile profession. So thank you."

-- Patti Gubbels, State Board of Education Member

".. so when I stop trying to be whatever I thought everybody's perception of me was, then I feel like I made really deep connections with students."

".. So I asked myself what are the simple moments that give me the strength to keep going.

.. and last Saturday I did just this I reflected with intention on my school week. I focused on the small often overlooked moments, the moments that aren't movie makers, the moments that so often don't end up being showcased on my social media.

I thought about interactions that are not often talked about. These are the moments where in a small way build up my bucket."

".. having the type of relationship where they [the student] understands that, I care so much about you I'm gonna hold you to this bar. I'm gonna give you some Grace, but you have to do the work .."

"My tenure as Teacher of the Year hasn't been without obstacles, but I'm really excited to be here today to talk about all of the great and wonderful things I've got to do in spite of a lot of really mean and false statements." 

Speaking with future educators is one of my favorite things to do. I am so grateful these dedicated students have chosen education as their future career.

"The realizations of these seemingly small moments became junctures of pivotal green lights. Opening opportunities that changed the way I was thinking.. And therefore my life."

The energy was palpable, the students were so excited.  It was an honor to tell the next generation of teachers my story of how I became a teacher. To let them know that all paths aren't direct.  Some are winding.  When I arrived at teaching, it felt like home.  And when it's their turn, I hope they feel the same way as well.

".. I had an incredible advantage that I got the opportunity to work with youth in locked treatment facilities. 

Surrounded by therapists and people who embraced this wrap-around care idea. 

They were going through what may be the hardest part of their life at such a young age. Knowing that trauma is trauma, and when they have responses, having the skills to be able to talk with kids and to listen first is one of my favorite things that I learned. This was from the agency in San Francisco. 

Their philosophy about their treatment facility was that they're never going to kick a kid out of the facility for behavior that got them there. To me, what that really meant was just unconditional care. I'm going to care about you, see you as a human, and talk to you in that capacity. Being able to learn from professionals who had that lens was really powerful and a big way for me to connect with my students every single day, both before the pandemic and certainly afterward."

" Connections are the fundamental tool that allowed me to become who I am. Caring adults, who noticed and challenged me.. "

".. we all experience on some scale similar things and we're just trying to figure out how do we do what's best for the kids that are in our reach.."

I was selected to be part of a roundtable discussion, bringing together 20 leaders from the U.S. and India. We discussed global disparities in education with impoverished communities and how to close the learning gaps.

We discussed how I structure my own classroom, in an effort to build not only relationships and safety but a free-thinking classroom community. Foundational skills that provide baseline safety and connection- increasing past listening and learning, while encouraging active engagement, transparency, and at times, uncomfortable moments. 

I included a way of thinking that allows educators to include not only curriculum standards but benchmarks in the social skills and creativity you are working to accomplish by the end of your time together as a class. We discussed building classroom norms, establishing a classroom community, managing district academic requirements, and intentionally building in moments of positive stress, all in an effort of achieving predetermined academic and social success for all kids.

"I try to really intentionally start my week and end my week on a positive note. ... right before I leave school, I always make at least one positive phone call home."

A discussion of my books, “50 Things to Know About Going Back to School while Parenting: A Guide From a Graduate" and "It Was Always Four." The lecture was followed by a Q & A session.

This event was part of a five-week leadership series hosted in conjunction with ECE Fellow Katie Conte. Sponsored by Child Care Access Means Parents in School.

We discussed the excitement about being named Nebraska Teacher of the Year, the difficulties of public speaking, and how to create connections in a classroom.