March 7, 2019 Dear Families, Given the increased media coverage of the Momo Challenge, I decided to stray from my series this week. Unfortunately, the Momo Challenge is not new to scene in the disturbing trend of self-harm games. It has been of concern for mental health professionals and educators for some time. For awhile, … Continue reading Too Big for Your Suitcase

February 21, 2019 Dear Families, I write from a cruising altitude of over 30,000 feet. If you read an earlier post about my passion for flying, you likely find yourself saying, “Oh dear.” Yeah, me too.  Statistics suggest that flying remains the safest mode of transportation.  I find statistics challenging. I find them challenging not … Continue reading The Standard Deviation

February 7, 2019 Dear Families, I mentioned last week in my blog post that I would begin a 5 part series. I shared that this week my entry would be titled "Charlie Brown's Teacher." While I continue to share my 5 part series, my approach changes drastically. Miraculously, I find strength despite my heartache, or … Continue reading Sunshine and Sunflowers

January 31, 2019 Dear Families, Discipline. A word charged with emotion. Opinion. Reaction. As parents, we work diligently to raise good humans. Humans filled with compassion. We encourage positive messages. Remind them to be kind. To be the change. We strive to empower them to tell the truth. We hope and believe that they reach … Continue reading The Power of Pain

January 10, 2019 Dear Families, Happy New Year! I hope that your break was both restful and enjoyable. I treasured every minute with my family, even the family meetings. All of them... Maddy and I made the long trek from Flagstaff to Highlands Ranch on Sunday, December 16th. She found herself ready to enjoy a … Continue reading Re-Entry

December 13, 2018 Dear Parents, Before you read this post, please note three things. First, I use technology and social media. Second, I hate technology and social media. My reasons for using social media often appear to be rationalizations. In many cases, they are. In other cases, I feel they are legitimate. Finally, I write … Continue reading 1000 Friends and Still Friendless

December 6, 2018 Dear Families, My mother believed from the time I was six years old that I would be a teacher. Thus, I determined I would be anything but a teacher. Literally, anything else.  Her logic and observation provided the evidence she needed to support this belief.  My next door neighbor couldn't tell time … Continue reading Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

November 29, 2018 Dear Families, Each year, after we enjoy our Thanksgiving feast with family and friends, Paul, Maddy, Hunter and I return home to watch A Christmas Story.  You know the movie. The Major Award. The Red Rider BB Gun. The Soap Poisoning. The Triple-Dog Dare. Yep. That one. Prior to the start of … Continue reading You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out, Kid

November 8, 2018 Dear Families, Yesterday started like any other day. I woke up to my alarm, got ready for school, and headed down to the kitchen. I found my son in his normal location, the kitchen island stuffing his face and watching ESPN highlights on his phone. He barely looked up and blurted out, … Continue reading Red Cowboy Boots

October 25, 2018 Dear Families, “Do I have to keep these?” “I’m sorry, Hunter, these is an indefinite pronoun. To what are you referring?” “Can you please not give me a grammar lesson every five minutes? These, the trophies I got when I was little? They don’t mean anything.” Seven years ago, I redid Hunter’s … Continue reading How Do You Define Success?