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Hello Elementary Friends, 2017 is clicking by! As I said in my last blog, I am trying to remain more mindful in my professional and personal life. There are times when I am at work when I stop, breath, and take in "the moment."  I hope that I am living more deliberately even though things get complicated at times.  This blog will share celebrations, learning, and something that "fills my bucket."  I hope it fills your bucket, as well! Something to Celebrate Let's start off with something to celebrate!  I was so proud of the Mortensen Center for Children with Autism.  Here is a news release telling about this honor for our kids: On Friday, February 03, 2017 the Mortensen Elementary School Center for Children with Autism of Littleton, Colorado was honored for the third year in a row with a children’s art display at the Wandering Art Gallery located at 853 Inca Street, Denver.   This display was part of the 1st Friday Art Walk on Santa Fe Drive in Denver, Colo...

Today I would like to talk about … Hello Elementary Friends, It feels like forever since my last blog posting!  It’s really only been 6 weeks, but a lot has happened in the past several weeks since I have returned from Australia.  Furthermore, since I was in such a habit of posting weekly for the year I was away, I have actually missed recording observations and happenings since my return.  I have had some time to reflect upon many things over the past few weeks, and I am eager to start blogging again, but this time with a slightly different focus and intent.  One of the areas of my reflection has been upon the act of blogging itself.  What is it about writing down one’s thoughts, activities, endeavors, struggles, celebrations, opinions, and ideas that is fulfilling a need to stay focused toward personal and professional goals and pathways?  I have thought a lot about it, and have come to some conclusions.  Before I share those, however, I want to shar...

A Whirlwind of a Couple Weeks - Perfect Ending to an Amazing Year! Hello Elementary Friends, This past week was a busy one with finishing up a school year, organizing a classroom to leave it for Helen, organizing and cleaning out our apartment for Helen's return, and lots of emotional good byes! It was, however, a perfect (albeit filled with messiness) ending to a truly amazing year.  It will take me a while to unwind, but I am now looking forward to some rest and reflection. Saying Goodbye to Bear, G.B., Paul, Alex, and Drew I think I have shared in a previous blog that Mitch has spent each Wednesday evening during 2016 at the Hunter's Hill Hotel Trivia Night Contest.  He has been the token American on a team and has thoroughly enjoyed it.  He is now committed to finding a team in Denver once we return.  So, if anyone knows of a team in need of a brain filled with superfluous facts, dates, details, pop culture, history, literature, and general information, then let ...

2016 Aussie Adventure is Coming to a Spectacular Conclusion! Attending the Cricket with Malcolm David (Science Teacher), Malcolm (Principal), and Mitch at The Cricket! Last Sunday we were privileged to attend our first Cricket Match ever!  Here is a commentary by Mitch of our experience at the Cricket! We've had to learn a whole new vocabulary since we arrived but given time and context it's not been too bad.  That is until cricket.  I knew it existed and I knew people played it but that was about all I knew.  I was about to get an immersion course. We went to the SCG and grabbed a bite to eat at a local pub before the match (new word) began.  Eating was the very last thing I understood.  We then went to the stadium to see the one day test (another new word) between Australia and New Zealand.  It is a big deal but I was immediately taken by the fact that the stadium was half empty. I asked about this and was told that people don't actually go to see th...