When our middle son, Carter, was an 8th-grade student during the 2016-2017 school year, I had an idea of writing a note to each and every student that was in my class. There were about 200-220 8th graders that year. Many of the students who come through my classroom are carrying the heavy, heavy baggage… Read More Notes to my 8th Graders
In my high school, there was a big push for sons and daughters to get to a college or university and get a degree. There was even a big emphasis to get a degree as soon as you could. One summer I took some classes for my Elementary Education degree so I could graduate in… Read More Don’t Hurry to College
I have always been passionate about my occupation as a teacher. I love what I do but I especially love the students and the people I work side by side with. I have been teaching computer classes for over 25 years and it is a subject I have enjoyed teaching every year. We are in… Read More Something New This School Year
As a hobby, we have a DJ business on the side. We really enjoy entertaining at schools, churches, and on occasion, weddings, anniversaries, and backyard parties. One of the dance events we do many times over is middle school dances. It weirdly changes from age to age. The dances are usually during the school day.… Read More Middle School Dances…They are Awkward but Fun
When we were taking our firstborn son home from the hospital, no one gave us any instruction book on how to take care of this little guy. There was a manila envelope stuffed full of pamphlets on SIDS, shaken-baby syndrome, and how to install a car seat. There wasn’t anything on how to actually care… Read More It Takes a Village
It has often been said when the new bride and groom are toasting at their wedding reception and are given advice from their many friends and family members that marriage is a 50/50 commitment. It is not like that at all in our marriage. For my husband and me, there are times where I might… Read More It’s Never Been 50/50
I have never skydived nor do I plan to in my life. But there is a great quote from Will Smith after he went skydiving who says, “The best things in your life are on the other side of terror, on the other side of maximum fear, are all the best things in life.” Last… Read More Stepping Out of the Plane
I have been teaching for 25 years and I see the same thing over and over again. The students who are doing well educationally, mentally, and socially have parents who are plugged in at home. What do I mean by that? Well, these parents are invested in their education. They care about who their children… Read More It Starts at Home…
The storm rages on. Our boat is taking on water and it seems like there is no end in sight to the crashing waves. I’m not here to just vent all of the problems we have in our life in this blog. I am writing so if you come across the same difficulties or curveballs… Read More How to Ride the Waves
Life had been going very well for the Neilan family these past 6 1/2 years. Yes, we have had our little tiny speed bumps during those years but nothing too major we couldn’t handle quickly. Since the end of 2019 and now the beginning of 2020, the state of things in our family has taken… Read More When God Throws a Curveball