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MOVEMENT

Life is movement. From the moment of conception, we are moving, growing, evolving.  In September of 1999, as I stepped into the hallways of Dwight Morrow High School, I moved and was moved (a lot, and to every school except Quarles School! LOL!) I am eternally grateful for all these movements of heart, mind, body, and soul I experienced at the Englewood Public School District and Englewood Community. These experiences shaped me and allowed me to share my talents, ideas, culture, and passion with so many.  They include:  The DMHS Social Studies Department (above) Liz Willaum Debbie Zarate Rosie Rodriguez Malva White Monica Sanchez (RIP) Maria Klose Harriet Hooks Maria Satterfield German Cardona Dr. Richard Seagall Rosemary Seitel Odette Urbay-Cross Mercedes Gil Marsha Howard Lucia Welch Ysoris Pazymino Carroll Sanchez Dr. Jeff White Dr. Daniela Small-Bailey (RIP) Pete Elbert Dorian Milteer Lamarr Thomas Joe Armental Dr. Laura Mathieu Basheba Mitchell ETA EAA EPSD Security ...
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Recent posts
 The Bridge Have you ever walked across a bridge?   When I lived in NYC, I loved walking and biking over bridges because I felt as if I was being transformed into a new place with new people and things.  I could look up at the sky, underneath at the waves and boats, or at the people that passed.  Noticing all these people and places allowed me to appreciate the world I live in.  Moving from one place to another also allowed me to understand how I am called to grow, move, and encounter others.  If I never crossed a bridge, how will I ever know? How will I ever grow? Jesus, the Bridge Jesus is that bridge.  He is the way to a new place where we will meet new people and do new things.  A bridge is a perfect metaphor because it brings two places together.  Jesus did that.  He brought the old and the new together.  He brought people from darkness to light, from sin to mercy, and from despair to hope.   Jesus announces his ...
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Advent 2025

 Advent 2025 I've been uncomfortable for a while now. A month ago, one of my 8th grade student's father was rounded up my ICE. He was walking to work on a Saturday morning and got picked up. By Tuesday, he was deported to his home country. My student does not want to come back to school. Her mother now has to figure out how to keep her family going. I can't imagine the challenges they face. How will their lives be without their father? How will they move on? Last week one of my 7th grade student shared with me how she has problems at home; she gets yelled at and hit by her mother. As she spoke to me, I remembered when my parents yelled, fought, and hit each other. It brought back difficult memories of pain, confusion, and lots of selfishness. I just sat there and listened as my student cried. After, I had a counselor speak to her and we got her outside help My son Jacob told me about his friend who's parents are separated and getting a divorce,  He shared how his frien...
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Three Things

Spring is here but it these days still feel like winter. The change of weather brings a great opportunity to reflect and find news ways to act. When the day is cold, windy and sometimes full of rain and snow, it can serve as a metaphor for my internal spiritual state.  There are times when I feel cold and still as an icicle, hanging aloft a tall tree branch. I want to be out of reach and out of the way of all the hustle and bustle, all the action that life brings - family, friends, work, wishes, dreams, and disappointments.  Yet, even though I may feel like I am hanging still way up on high on a tree, I am reminded that this is temporary. The Church season of Lent reminds and invites me to prepare and remember. I am called to prepare for an encounter with Jesus and walk with Him. I am called to remember what happened to Jesus and enter into that Paschal mystery as best as I can.  During this time of preparation, I may feel unsettled or uncertain. Doubts can increase as...
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What I learned on a spiritual retreat

Twenty years ago, I did the  Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola as a Jesuit novice . The Spiritual Exercises are a compilation of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices developed by  St. Ignatius of Loyola to help people deepen their relationship with God. This past February, I decided to do a weekend retreat and return to  The Jesuit Center at Wernersville, PA. The following is a description of what I learned on the retreat: 1. You cannot rush God. God operates on his own time. For months I was excited and anxious to go on retreat. I had so many expectations. Yet, when I arrived I was overwhelmed with the work I had to do. I was tired and this feeling of getting on with it, getting over with it slowly grew into impatience. Things were not going the way I planned and I grew frustrated with God. I wanted to control when, where and what would happen. Most of my prayer times were dry and distracted. No new and exciting revelation...
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50 Songs for My 50th Birthday

Fifty. 50. Fiftieth. It's just a number right? Depends on how you look at it. And that is what life is really about: how you look at it.  Oh, and what you do with it. Party? Almost everyday is a party ... fiesta.  You just gotta make sure that you are the first and last one ... on the dance floor. There are so many people looking at others dance.  They say to themselves "I can't dance" or "I can't move like that" so they never step onto the dance floor.  They never try, never take a step.  Many clap or tap their feet while they sit down.  To stay seated is safer and more comfortable. I've never been one to sit still especially when good dance music is playing. I don't know what fifty (50) will bring but I know that I will bring everything to everyone and everything I got.  So what will be different? Nothing really.  The only difference is that I will be the same person just one more year older. There are 48 days until my birthday (Feb...
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New School Year: Stick to the The B.A.S.I.C.s

At the beginning of a school year one can seem a bit tangled up and confused. New students, new schedules or even a new school can make one feel undone and uncertain.   Yet, my years in education have shown me how to meet these “tangled” situations head on and just keep it BASIC .   B - Believe in myself and in others.  I cannot do it ALL. Teaching and learning is never a “me, myself and I” project and I need to rely on others. When I work with others I am always better.  Asking for help when you do not know something is a smart move. One might hesitate to ask for help to avoid the appearance of being seen as weak or vulnerable.  There is a sincere strength in showing vulnerability.   A - Accept that I am not perfect and will make mistakes. School business involves different levels of risk. Trial and error are always my favorite teachers. Knowing that I will make mistakes makes me feel less anxious. I give myself permission to not be ...
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