Teacher Appreciation Week

A gift from my boss
Thank you, Mrs. Wilczak!

 

What Brings You Joy

Yes, I AM from the 1900s. And proud of it!

At various times throughout the school year, especially when teacher morale is low and kids’ mischief is high, we have a gift exchange called “What Brings You Joy?” Teachers who want to participate sign up on a spreadsheet and jot down a short list of things that make them smile. Flavored lip balms. Orange chocolate. Fine-point pens. Cheap holiday earrings. Hand lotion. You get the picture. We set a $20 limit, but honestly I don’t think any of us really stick to it. It’s all in good fun, and every penny is worth it.

This year, my school bestie Hannah was my joy giver. I laughed so hard, and I can’t help but grin every time I see this sign on my desk. This is totally my favorite gift ever! 

She also gave me FINE-point pens because, as she’ll tell you, I’m always complaining about pens. And she didn’t forget Ernie! He received a Halloween Advent Calendar full of kitty toys. Ernie gives it his full seal of approval. 

Think Fast!!!

Every once in a while, the Internet forgets to work. And suddenly, life becomes so much more… exciting. Yeah. Exciting. That’s the word.

Where’s my sarcasm font when I need it?

So there I am, teaching technology, 25 middle school students teetering on the edge of good behavior, when the Internet dies. Suddenly. Without warning.

Think fast!

I whipped up a spur-of-the-moment assignment, passed out paper and pencils, and declared: “Today, we’re going Old School.”

I'm definitely going to keep this one in my toolbox. 

Back to School

Even though it sounds impossibly cruel, teachers in my school returned yesterday, two and a half weeks before the students do. We're not sure why. I'm pretty sure our principal feels our pain. She greeted us with these wonderful gifts! 

The next two weeks will be filled with meetings, getting our classrooms ready, more meetings, lesson planning, more meetings, setting up gradebooks, more meetings... 

Honestly, the only one I'm absolutely not looking forward to is the mental health meeting. We had one of those the year before last, and I had to leave. There are just some things that have happened in my life that I don't care to revisit. 

Digital Creativity: How Today’s Students Are Building Tomorrow’s Innovations

We’ve talked a lot about how technology is shaping education—AI in the classroom, cybersecurity, and ethical considerations. But this month, I’d like to shift the focus from what technology does to students to what students can do with technology.

Digital creativity is booming among today’s middle schoolers. Whether it’s designing a 3D model in Tinkercad, programming a video game in Scratch, or using Canva to produce a class newsletter, students aren’t just consuming technology—they’re creating with it. Tools that were once locked behind professional paywalls or steep learning curves are now browser-based, free (or nearly so), and designed with young learners in mind.

This creative shift is more than a novelty—it’s a powerful educational opportunity. When students code an animation, build a simple app, or design a virtual world in CoSpaces, they’re not just playing around; they’re engaging in problem-solving, systems thinking, storytelling, and collaboration. They’re building digital literacy, resilience, and confidence in their own ideas.

As educators, we can nurture this trend by making space for creativity in our curriculum—not just in tech classes, but across disciplines. A history teacher might let students create an animated reenactment of a historical event. An English teacher might encourage digital storybooks or AI-generated dialogue experiments. The key is to provide flexible tools and encourage exploration, not just correctness.

Of course, balance is important. Not every moment needs a screen. But when used thoughtfully, creative technology gives students something even more valuable than answers: a chance to imagine, design, and build their own. In a world increasingly shaped by innovation, these early acts of digital creation are more than fun—they’re foundational.

 

A PD Day We Enjoyed!

Every so often (too often, if you ask some teachers), we have professional development days. Usually, these are filled with meetings that could easily be replaced by a well-written email—but I guess not everyone is as religious about checking their school email as I am.

Today was one of those days. But instead of the usual meeting marathon that leaves your teeth numb and your soul slightly dimmed, our principal—bless her sweet soul—scheduled fun team-building activities.

I know. Team-building activities. Cue the collective internal groan.

But not today! I had an absolute blast.

We started, of course, with the singing of the US and Canadian national anthems - just like the Olympics. Our staff was divided into groups: Math, Science/SS, ELA, Specials, SPED/ENL. We played a bunch of games, and the winning team got a GOAT trophy. Yes, a literal tiny goat trophy. Games included can jam, jumbo pong, corn hole, flip cup, and mat ball. And even though my team lost every single solitary round, we had the best time doing it.

The Art teacher brought us all matching ribbons to wear, and Bibler wore his bow with pride. Gutsin and Wageman were the most competitive in our group, but they had nothing on Todino-Montes from the Science team. I had never heard her swear before. Turns out, competition brings out a whole new vocabulary!

To wrap up the festivities, Admin bought us lunch—subs and French fries—which was absolutely perfect. Especially after we gave up so many runs in mat ball that someone really should’ve mercy ruled us. All that losing made us hungry. 

All in all, it was a great day. Professional development, but fun. I'm actually looking forward to our next one! 

Me, Rashad, Gutsin, Wageman, Bibler, and Dana

My Knee and I Are No Longer on Speaking Terms

60 is NOT the new 29. Or even the new 39 or 49. That's a lie. A lie told by people who do yoga on paddle boards and eat chia pudding voluntarily.

Because here’s the deal: I’ve been having some knee pain. Nothing major at first—just a little twinge here, a minor protest there. But then last week my left knee decided to up the drama. We’re talking full-on Broadway performance: general achiness with occasional solos where it felt like someone was jabbing an ice pick made of lava directly under my kneecap. Delightful.

So, like any responsible adult pretending not to Google symptoms at 2 a.m., I went to my primary care provider. She took one look and said, “Ohhhh...yeah, let's get you to orthopedic.” 

Cut to: X-rays, professional poking, and a fun game of “Tell Me Where It Hurts” that somehow managed to make me sweat, wince, and reevaluate all my life choices. The diagnosis? Osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patellae. That last one sounds like a fancy Italian appetizer but is actually code for: “Your kneecap cartilage is having a midlife crisis.”

Cue the Church Lady from SNL: “Well, isn’t that special?”

To calm things down, the doctor prescribed prednisone—because nothing says “healing” like swelling and the anticipation of a bonus five pounds. I can now look forward to pain relief and pants that no longer button. It’s a two-for-one deal!

But wait, there's more: my ortho’s note says, “Limit the use of stairs as tolerated.” Sounds reasonable… until you realize there are 52 stairs to get to my classroom. And no elevator. NONE. So unless I can start teaching by carrier pigeon or smoke signal, we’ve got a logistical nightmare on our hands. Or legs. Whatever.

Now, on to the good part: I’m rocking a brand new, hinged, incredibly sexy knee brace. It’s like the Spanx of the orthopedic world—supportive, unflattering, and somehow making me walk like a stormtrooper on casual Friday.

The orthopedic group also gave me access to an exercise app. Think Peloton for the physically compromised. It has videos, instructions, helpful tips, a timer, a rep counter—and, most importantly, it saves me a $35 copay every time I work out. That’s $35 I can now spend on pants with elastic waistbands. Or donuts. Or therapy. (Or maybe all three.)

I did Day 1 today: 25 minutes of leg lifts, awkward stretches, and whispering “I miss cartilage” under my breath. My knee and I are currently in mediation, hoping to settle this dispute without anyone else getting involved (looking at you, right knee).

Stay tuned for the next thrilling installment of This Is Not How I Thought Aging Would Go.

The Rise of Wearable Tech in Everyday Life and Education

Wearable tech has come a long way in a short time. What used to be just flashy digital watches or pedometers has turned into a growing world of smartwatches, fitness trackers, VR headsets, and now even AI-enabled glasses. These devices are becoming part of daily life for many people—and yes, that includes students.

At the middle school level, we’re starting to see kids show up with smartwatches that track their steps, buzz with reminders, or even let them send quick messages. Others might get their first exposure to wearable tech through school projects—things like coding a simple fitness tracker or trying out a virtual reality experience in a science unit. It’s no longer new or futuristic—it’s here.

There’s definitely some potential. VR can take students on virtual field trips to places they’d never get to see otherwise. Some wearables can help with focus, mindfulness, or staying active—things that can support learning in the right context. But there are also some clear downsides.

Privacy is a big one. These devices collect personal data—sometimes a lot of it. Who sees that info? What’s done with it? Most middle schoolers don’t think about that, and honestly, a lot of adults don’t either. Then there’s the equity issue. Not every student can afford a smartwatch or VR headset, and when we bring these into the classroom, we need to be careful not to widen the gap.

At the school where I teach, we don’t allow wearable tech in the classroom. And honestly, I think that’s the right call—at least for now. It’s already tough enough to help kids disconnect from their phones for a few hours. Taking smartwatches out of the equation gives them one less thing to distract them and one more chance to be present.

Wearable tech is going to keep growing, and our students will need to know how to navigate it—both the benefits and the risks. As teachers and tech users ourselves, we can help by keeping the conversation going and making sure we’re not just using tech for tech’s sake. Sometimes, the best lesson we can offer is when not to use it.

The Best Thing I Didn't Know I Needed

The other day, I was roaming the hallway like a ghost of bad behavior past. I had one mission: find a fellow teacher to vent to before I exploded into a confetti blast of frustration and sarcasm.

It had been that kind of day—kids throwing things, lying with the boldness of someone auditioning for a courtroom drama, general chaos. The kind of day that makes you seriously wonder if you accidentally signed up for the wrong profession. ("Did I check the wrong box on that career interest survey in high school? Should I have gone into dental hygiene?") I was evaluating my life choices, and it wasn't pretty.

Anyway, I was on the hunt for my usual confidante, but her office was empty. Heavy sigh. But across the hall… I noticed something strange.

Laughter.

Joy.

People having fun? In a school building? After 2:30 p.m.?

Naturally, I was suspicious.

But I poked my head in and found a whole group of teachers—just hanging out, solving the New York Times crossword puzzle together like it was the most normal after-school activity in the world.

And here’s the best part—they welcomed me in like I’d always been part of the crew.

We’ve got a little of everything:

• Two social studies teachers who know just about every historical fact ever.

• Two math teachers who actually enjoy numbers.

• A technology teacher who loves coding.

• A special ed teacher with the patience of a saint.

• An ELA teacher who knows words that haven't been used since 1874.

Our ages range from mid-20s to 60s, so our knowledge is as diverse as our snack choices. Someone always knows something, and someone always has a random fact no one asked for—but turns out to be super useful.

And Friday? Friday was a milestone. For the first time ever, we completely solved five days’ worth of crosswords in a row. A full streak. It was like winning the nerdy Olympics—and yes, we were very proud of ourselves.

I went looking for someone to commiserate with, but instead I found a little unexpected joy in a classroom full of crossword-loving coworkers. Now, I look forward to it every day. It’s not just about the puzzle—it’s the laughter, the camaraderie, the brainpower, and the feeling that hey, even on the worst days, I’m not alone in this.

Teaching is hard. But a daily puzzle with good people? That’s a little reminder that there’s still a lot of good tucked in between the chaos.

I love these kids!

For the holiday, I assembled treat bags for the kids with little things Melissa and I bought for them. We gave them a jingle bell, a candy cane, a pencil with two little erasers, a sticky hand, and a coloring book. We decided that, because of the low attendance today, we would show them a movie and give math a break.

7A, my SPED class, was the one I thought would be the most crazy. Instead, they opened their treat bags quietly, ate their candy canes, and enjoyed Beethoven's Christmas Adventure. They even said thank you as they were leaving the classroom!

7B, my gifted group, was the one I thought would be the quietest. Wrong again. The sticky hands were almost immediately flying in all directions as they tried to pull other student's belongings away from them, tried to stick them on the ceiling, tried to stick them in each other's hair... The Santa Clause was just background noise for happy shenanigans. I thought they were a riot, but Melissa was not amused. Probably a good thing...they would have been out of control all period, and I'd have been right along with them. :D

7C, my English language learners, was the group I was unsure of. A high percentage of the group follows the path of Islam, so I had a back-up coloring sheet in case they had religious objection to a Christmas movie and gift. I need not have worried. Some seemed to get the biggest kick out of the candy canes, eating it from both ends. As a whole, they initially preferred coloring in the little holiday coloring books in their treat bags to watching the movie , but then quickly realized they could grab each other's coloring books with the sticky hands. I probably shouldn't have let them get away with it, but hey, it's the last day of school before break, and I'm tired. :D

It's funny how this job is working out for me. I don't think I've ever worked so hard or for so many hours, but I feel like I'm making a difference. It's fulfilling, enjoyable, and worth every minute.

I have finally found my purpose.

I Got the Job!

Say hello to the new 7th grade Math teacher for the Buffalo Academy of Science! I am so excited and scared and nervous and excited...

I am about to begin a big adventure, a new chapter in the story of my life. It's going to be interesting, fun, frustrating, challenging, and much different from the typical day I am used to. I am looking forward to it.

And I am determined to be the best darn math teacher I can be.

Ian Was Here

Compliments Keep Me Going.

I received a compliment yesterday that made me feel great! Between student teaching, working, raising my son, and trying to keep my home from turning into a disaster area from neglect, I do get a bit tired and down-trodden. 

My weekly journal entry for my student teaching segment was, "Reflect on how you are balancing teaching with your daily life and family. What are you doing (or what could you be doing) to take care of yourself and make it through demonstration teaching in a strong way? Based on your experience so far, describe any adjustments you could make to help the second half of your DT experiences go even more smoothly."  

Go even more smoothly?HA! I need to meet their pharmacist!  This is what I wrote in response: 

Adjustments? Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha! My typical week goes like this: 

Monday thru Friday: Up at 5:00 a.m. Shower, dress, have a cup of coffee while packing our lunch and dinner for the day, wake up the Boy Child and address his needs (I am a single mom), review lesson plan for the day, make the 3x5 card as my guide, leave at 7, arrive at school at 7:15, leave school at 3:30, pick up the Boy Child, go to work, arrive at work by 4:15, work until 9:15, go home, make sure lesson plan is in place for next day and if not, draft it with the appropriate worksheets, fall into bed completely exhausted and generally still completely dressed at 11.

Saturday: Up at 6:00 a.m. Shower, dress, have a cup of coffee while scribbling a grocery list for the following week, wake up the Boy Child, start lesson planning for following week, be at work by 10 with the Boy Child, leave work at 11:45 to take Boy Child to baseball camp, back at work by 12:05, leave work at 2:50 to pick up Boy Child from baseball camp, back at work by 3:10, order something to eat from someplace that delivers around 5, work until 10:30 p.m. (or later, if I need to put in more than 12.5 hours on the weekend to make my total hours at work 37.5), go home, fall into bed completely exhausted and generally still completely dressed between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., depending on how long I had to work.

Sunday: Up at 7:00 a.m. because by Sunday, I can’t get up at 5 or 6. Grab a cup of coffee and get laundry started, plan lessons for the week including worksheets and tests, eat whatever Boy Child prepares when he gets up and then quickly shop for groceries, prepare and freeze sandwiches for lunches/dinners for the week; get journal entry done for SGAK in Taskstream, respond to weekly discussion in edTPA community, finish lesson planning for week, fall into bed completely exhausted at 10.

Adjustment? Somewhere in here I have to cram writing my edTPA. It’s not going to get any better until the middle of May when I am done student teaching, unless somewhere, somehow, more hours get put into a day.  I cannot quit my job, or even take a leave of absence. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. If I don’t get paid, the bills don’t get paid and we can’t eat and end up homeless. Homeless people generally do not have laptop computers and access to the internet, so obtaining my education would come to a screeching halt. Furthermore, test results are in, and it is discovered my son has a learning disability. He helps me how he can, but has needs of his own.

My son is doing the housecleaning, shoveling, taking out the trash, all of the things we did together before I started student teaching. He is on board and knows this situation is temporary.  It is what it is. The fact that this situation is temporary is what is getting my son and me through it. We can do anything as long as we know it won’t last forever. 

My mentor's response was great:   

WOW! You really have this down to a science...time management at its best! I totally understand that this is a stressful time in the life of a student teacher and that sometimes family takes second place. But this will soon pass and things will get back to semi normality - whatever that is. ;-) Hang in there!

I will, Denise. I sure will. Although my friends and family think I'm absolutely bonkers for wanting to teach math - to middle school kids, no less! - it is my dream, my goal, and my purpose. I will make it happen. 

John Markarian (1929 - 2013)

John Markarian, an attorney I used to work for, passed away on December 14th. He was the first attorney I worked for who did estate work. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The math aspect of that job was wonderful. I got to help with tax returns, valuating bonds, mortgage per diems and payoffs, great fun! 

From what I understand, he had cancer, and his family had been taking care of him around the clock toward the end. My heart goes out to them in their time of sorrow. 

From the Buffalo News:  

MARKARIAN - John December 14, 2013, husband of the late Maureen (nee Willett) and the former husband of Martha Markarian; loving father of Edward J. (Linda) and William C. Markarian; stepfather of Sean (Kristin) Willett; loving grandfather of William J., Kristin E., Isabella M., Olivia R. Markarian; stepgrandfather of Luke Brown, Ben, Cameron and Riley Willett; dear brother of Michael (Elizabeth), Charles (Delores) Markarian and Elizabeth (George) Binner; survived by many nieces and nephews.

Cookie Exchange

Ian made chocolate covered pretzels and I made salted nut truffles for the cookie exchange at work. It was fun!

Restoring My Faith in Humanity

Sometimes things happen that restore my faith in humanity. There was an accident this morning in front of my employer's office. Complete and total strangers left their cars and places of employment to help. I've never felt so helpless in my entire life. The man who started CPR was the vet from across the street. All I could do was keep the gawkers back and let the man work. I have no doubt the vet saved that man's life.

If for no other reason than to make me happy, please be kind to each other today. Hold the door for someone, compliment someone, be the best person you can be. You never know when something will happen and you will leave this world behind.

I'm going to go cry now.

Happy Birthday, Serena!

We had a surprise birthday party for Serena's 30th birthday party. She is hands-down one of the sweetest people I know. 

Happy birthday, Serena! I hope your day is as special as you are to the people that know you.

A gift for Susie

In blue, for colon cancer awareness

A gift for Carol

Red and White

One of the girls at work asked me to make the jewelry for her wedding. She needed a bracelet and earrings for a 6 year old flower girl, a 10 year old flower girl, and her matron of honor. Her colors were red and white.  Here is what I came up with: 

For the 6-year-old

 

For the 10-year-old

For the matron of honor