Book #5: The Reason I Jump

If I never accomplish my goal of reading 50 books this year or even if I do this will be one of my favorite reasons I chose this goal. This book blew my mind. It was written by a 13 year old boy who has autism who is nonverbal. In it he details his daily struggles, his dreams, his writing skills which are translated letter by letter by a teacher. This book was worth every minute not because I work with children who have autism but because my perception of children with autism has depeened. I used to work with a nonverbal student who I always knew was brighter than people had claimed she was and this book reaffirms what happens when we place judgments or biases on people regarding their IQ score or their communication level... Sometimes we are severely mistaken.... And, I am very grateful for that. 

Definitely worth a read even if you know no one with autism it will enlighten you.

Book #4: Catcher in the Rye

I had picked up this very old well used book a few years ago from a book sale at my parents church. I for some reason had never read Catcher in the Rye. I am thinking that it was assigned to me and I must have cliff noted it for a paper.... Not the greatest idea but I have finally read it and I am glad. This is a very well written character that I at first hated but over time noticed his better intentions and struggle through adolescence...because no one struggles through adolescence right? :) 

I noticed the other day using what I had learned from the book with working with my students and other students of the school...instead of being black and white about thinking that the students that were out if class skipping or avoiding their teachers I thought to myself what if their lives were so difficult that they just need time to talk to someone so I began to listen more and want to connect with them more and all in all I felt really good about not being so stern all the time and bringing a little but more me into my teaching. Ahhh... Lessons learned from chapter books.... The best!

New Years Goals

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Happy New Year’s 2014! 

I am not a big fan of New Years resolutions... maybe because I never really stick with them and the first week of flossing or eating in drives me crazy by the second week so I set year long goals. Small things that are a slight challenge but achievable.

My goals for the year 2014 are:

1.) Read 50 books
2.) Run 500 miles
3.) Lose 50 lbs. (goal weight)
4.) Run 5 half marathons (get my triple crown medal!)
5.) Finish my National Boards (survive: 5 entries) 

Common theme of 5 this year... too bad that it is not the year 2015. Maybe next year! I am looking forward to what this year has to offer and accomplishing all of my goals. Wishing you all a very bright start to the New Year!

Do you set resolutions, goals or something else for the start of the year? Have they been successful for you?

Goals, goals and more goals...

My fitness training has been curbed recently with my trip to NCCAT and the fact that I really wanted to sleep in. So, here are my goals for the next few months broken down for ease (my friend Rita will be cringing on the concept of goal making).

Short term goals:

1.) Be able to do 5 burpees without feeling like I am going to die (measure able :/)

2.) Do 1 real burpee

3.) Run for 2 miles straight

4.) 20 lunges without feeling like I am going to fall over

5.) Run and be able to tell a story without walking

6.) Try hot yoga

Long term goals:

1.) Drop mile time to 11 minutes/mike

2.) Run 5 miles without stopping

Ultimate goals:

1.) Weight down to 160 lbs.

2.) Be able to run a half marathon without walking

3.) Mile time below 10 minutes/mile

I am going to try to get myself more on a routine since I have been exhausted recently with traveling and I feel like if I wake up and go to bed at certain times I will be able to get more done with my day. Tomorrow I am going to wake up at 6 am to run and hopefully will feel a little bit more structure to my day. :)