Welcome to Jen's Pond

I took this picture after a pretty bad ice storm that hit much of my state in October.  I say bad because many people in cities and rural areas lost electricity for over a week and trees were snapping with frequency.   So when our temperatures rebounded, thawing us out, I assumed that the flowers that had been encased in ice would soon fall to the ground and wait to try again til next year.  It was a pleasant surprise to see that not only did they stay but are thriving. I walk by them every day and just yesterday noticed a smile on my face and the feeling that washed over me (and washed over me again as I think about it).  Look at the photo again. Closer this time. I didn't see it when I took the photo. I merely wanted to keep the blooming fresh in my mind. But seems I was photo bombed. Look again. There is a bee visiting.  Hope. I took this photo when I was doing my best to hang on to Hope, while I felt my hope dwindling.  This gave me the...

Welcome to Jen's Pond!   I hope this blog gives you something to think about and maybe even challenge you, and then... hopefully, some things that I talk about will give you insight about something and will spread positively, like a ripple in a pond to others.   Please feel free to leave comments.  I welcome discussion from you.  Remember... one drop can cause a ripple.  What can you do to make more?

30 years ago. As I prepare this morning for another week at the Oklahoma Youth Leadership Forum, I make sure I’ve packed the memories of 30 years ago at Camp Jened.   Thirty years ago, this summer (1989 for those who dislike math as much as me), was as one of the best summers of my life.   Thirty years ago, during the fall semester of college, I had switched my major to Special Education. As the school year progressed, I wanted to do something different and yet I still wanted to work at summer camp. My college hosted a “Camp Fair,” and invited summer camps from the US to our campus to recruit camp counselors. There were a few that attracted me. I remember one that offered air conditioning in their cabins.   I visited with a few of the camps there, especially Camp Jened in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. The Camp Director, Gary Baker, was there personally.   We visited for a while and the more he talked, the more intrigued I became. I did have to c...

Last month (January 2018) I discovered a story my Mother had written in her high school days.  There are so many emotions I had (and still do) as I found this gem. I lost my Mom about 9 years ago and there really isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her.  The photo to the left is one that was taken a few few years before her passing. She was such an incredible woman... and I wish I'd taken advantage of learning more from her. As a member of a Toastmasters club, I have a few speaking manuals saved up that I thought would be good to work through to develop my speaking skills further. I presented this story for my first project in the Toastmasters Interpretive Reading Manual. Because of project constraints, I had to cut some out.  I've copied it here as she originally wrote it.    Hear me read it to my Toastmasters Club. Peace Comes Easily – by Ann (Edsall) Randle Ridiculous human beings, so blindly stupid, so easily led astray; chained in the ...

#OU was playing in the  #RoseBowl  on New Year's Day!  Expectations were high for this team.  I was nervous for them but looked forward to a win.  What resulted was such an incredible game between both teams...one for the ages and I think, well played for "the Granddaddy of them all."   Unfortuately,  #OU  came out on the wrong side. Excited for Georgia's players and heartbroken for the Sooners. As I sunk into the couch after the game...watching the victorious 'Dawgs get their winning trophy surrounded by heaps of confetti...  I remembered some words from the great Dr. Seuss.  "...You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.  You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest. Except when you don’t. Because, sometimes, you won’t. I’m sorry to say so But, sadly, it’s true That Bang-ups And Hang-ups Can happen to y...

Access. Webster's online dictionary defines access as a way of getting near, at, or to something or someone.  A way of being able to use or get something.  Permission or the right to enter, get near, or make use of something or to have contact someone. Simple definition, I think, and yet the concept of access seems to be difficult to achieve. I'm referring to access to buildings, airplanes, homes, parks, schools, and learning. Why not have a universal way of thinking, which would make things readily available to everyone, as it should be!  We need to plan for everyone. For example, curb cuts may have the purpose of giving access to people who use a wheelchair, but they make things available to so many more.  It's use is universal .  How difficult would it be to go grocery shopping with kids if you have to lift a stroller over a curb to get into the building?  Ramps make buildings available to so many people! We have to shift our thinking: ALL. ...

Today I'm at the Oklahoma People First Statewide Conference. It's always a fun time getting to meet advocates from across Oklahoma.  This is an annual conference for People First Members.  People First is an organization that is ran by people with disabilities. I love their motto: What a powerful message! Our history is filled with instances of making decisions for groups that are not included in the process.  We still do.  This has to stop and People First is a great organization for people with disabilities to learn how to advocate for themselves and others! At this year's conference, I have the opportunity to help them learn about internet safety and about blogging and vlogging.  These are great tools that can help them advocate. It'll be a great time! Be sure to check out Oklahoma People First online.  

I'm not a pro at this blogging stuff...not yet anyway.  I started this blog many years ago to have some way of writing about experiences I've had.  I'm not into earning money, at least, right now, not yet.  If someone learned something from something I've written, gets another view point, or has a chuckle, that was good.  I've recently thought about getting rid of my blog, but something told me no. Instead, I thought maybe I could even vlog!  When I hear those words: Blogging and Vlogging, I had to find out what the difference was first. After doing some reading of blogs and viewings of vlogs (and reading other websites), I'll define blogs and vlogs this way: A “ blog ” is usually an informal, personal website someone creates to share with others online.  Writers reflect or give an opinion of something, they may teach readers how to do something, or they may rant in written form.   Some writers will let readers commen...

Thanks to a friend of mine, I have begun meditating.  Now, it's not as consistent as I would like - yet - but at least I've gotten started, right?  I've tried to meditate before, but get very frustrated as things pop into my head when I'm trying to relax.  Take this morning for example.  It was not easy to keep still!   I began my music, lit my candles and then sat down.  Once I was comfortable, I sat my timer.  My back was comfortable (and straight)...  In my mind, this is a snippet of what was going on. Deep breath...  in...  out...  in... out...  shhhh...  in... out...  ah...  My neck is kinked... I need to stretch it.  To the right...to the left...  Now jump two times...  WHAT?!    It's okay...  Just acknowledge and move on...  Breathe...  in... out... in... out...   My nose itches...   I continue to acknowledge those random thoughts until I finally settl...

So the other day I went to the store for a few things (namely toothpaste) and after making my purchase, I found myself walking along the curb.  Before I knew it, I was walking and balancing on it, though I'm not sure why.  As I realized what I was doing, I quickly stepped off the curb. What was I doing?  I'm over 40 years old and I'm walking along a curb, trying to balance on it like I'm Nadia Comaneci.  I wasn't acting my age...was I? So anyway...  On the way home I started to wonder about what I was doing.  Was I acting my age?  I mean really now...when is the last time you've seen an over-40 year old doing that?  Like she has no care in the world...just like a "little" kid would do.  I got into my car and drove away with thoughts of "grow up" swimming around in my head. Last night I saw a book with a catchy title.  It's called The Book of Doing .  It seemed odd for me to find it at this point, with the current theme in my ...

Not much to say this morning - I'm hopeful it will be a lazy Sunday, allowing me to do some work on my house and catch up on reading my book for my class.   The further along I get in my graduate work, the more times I'm struck with the thought "If I knew then, what I know now..."   There's some great things going on in education now days.  I've just recently discovered "Flipped Classrooms," a new way of presenting instruction to students.  If you've not heard about it, watch this video out. I've found other videos and websites - this one seems to be decent.  I've gotten some good ideas as well as learned some things too, from these short, instructional videos:  Teacher Vodcasting & Flipped Classroom Network. Okay - I've got to get busy on my lazy Sunday...  Until next time.  

Who participates in the Youth Leadership Forum? Students who will be in the 11th or 12th grade after the YLF and who  have a disability.   Students should want to discover their potential  for leadership. What should students expect at the YLF? ·    To discuss topics such as leadership, systems change,     goal setting, disability aware­ness, advocacy, career     exploration, disability culture, volunteering and much more. ·    Exciting presenters, community leaders, legislators and     other professionals. ·    To identify existing barriers to personal and professional     success and develop plans to deal effectively with those     barriers. ·   Developing your own Personal Leadership Plan. ·    Participating in large & small group activities with successful    ...

YOU AND I   by Elaine Popovich I am a resident. You reside. I am admitted. You move in. I am aggressive. You are assertive. I have behavior problems. You are rude. I am noncompliant. You don't like being told what to do. When I ask you out for dinner, it is an outing. When you ask someone out, it is a date. I made mistakes during my check-writing program. Some day I might get a bank account.  You forgot to record some withdrawals from your account. The bank called to remind you. I wanted to talk with the nice-looking person behind us at the grocery store. I was told that it is inappropriate to talk to strangers. You met your spouse in the produce department.  Neither of you could find the bean sprouts. I celebrated my birthday yesterday with five other residents and two staff members. I hope my family sends a card. Your family threw you a surprise party. Your brother couldn't make it from out of state. It sounded wonderful! My case manager sends a report every...

Star Fleet Admiral on Trial

Wow...  Sometimes time really gets away from us.  I looked at the last time I'd written and thought about everything that has happened in my life since then.  Goodness...  Jobs have changed...  Family members have passed...  Friends have come and gone...  Opportunities have been given, some taken, some left for another person. I've finally realized that I need to take some time to enjoy life.  I say "finally" because I have been so wrapped up into working hard for others I've forgotten to just slow down a little....

I don't really understand how something so right could be so difficult. I'm talking about including students with disabilities (no matter how "mild" or "severe.") I am a special educator. I love my job, though I think secretly my desire is to work myself out of a job. Then I could just teach everyone. I have some really neat kids...all of them. Each one of them having strengths that I try to build on to help them be able to make their own choices. I think that's the biggest goal I have for me when I work with my students....to be able to determine what they want and need...and to dream, just simply dream about what they want to do in their life. The school system serves children for such a short time of their life and then the "kids" are off to the "REAL WORLD." I fear for them. If they're not included in other classes with everyone, how can those whom I serve be ready? The world is not a self-contained world. What's making it...

INSERVICE BINGO To help you concentrate at teacher meetings and inservices, try this Bingo game! 1. Before (or during) your next meeting, inservice or staff development, prepare yourself by drawing a large square. I find that 5" x 5" is a good size. Divide the card into columns-five across and five down. That will give you 25 one-inch blocks. 2. Write one of the following words/phrases in each block: * no child left behind * test scores * core competencies * communication * standards * multiple exposures * benchmarks * proactive * win-win * think outside the box * action plan * result-driven * assessments * knowledge base * at the end of the day * touch base * mindset * differentiated * retention * skills * background knowledge * effective learning * exemplars * implementation * reflection 3. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words/phrases. 4. When you get 5 blocks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, you have won at Bingo!

"WHAT WILL IT TAKE?" What a good question to give others when you need much more than a yes or no. It's an awesome question that I have decided to begin using with my supervisors. I no longer will ask yes or no questions. Instead, I will simply ask them "What will it take?" Let's see what happens then... I'm excited to use it and can't wait to do so. There's no way I can get a "No." Try it for yourself... Ask any yes/no question, and you get a yes or no... Ask what will it take, and you get more....Okay, you may get silence first, but they can't give you a No...

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just got back from watching the movie "Freedom Writers," based on the book written by high school students in LA, assisted by their amazing teacher Erin Gruwell. I'm inspired by the perserverance and optimism she shows for her students, despite facing such negativity from other fellow educators. I shed many tears during this movie...tears of saddness, tears of happiness, tears of frustration, tears of anger... Pardon this interruption for my soapbox for a minute: Being an educator is difficult, to say the least. Not to say that others aren't difficult, everyone has a hard time at work, I suppose that's why it's called work? I get disgruntled with others (some being my own friends) who tell me that teachers are lucky for their jobs. They tell me things like "what other profession would give me the summer off and the other vacations I have"...