Tiff4Tat

I love school supplies. I always have. The sound of tearing into sealed plastic to click a brand new mechanical pencil has been my favorite sound since third grade. I love erasers. Sometimes I will write something just to erase it. These inexpensive necessities have always brought me such joy. I believe my obsession with school supplies developed because of my desire to perform well in school. In my grade school days, we used pencils and paper daily. Our classrooms were not filled with handheld devices, wall-mounted computers, or text-to-speech capabilities. Rather than typing on a machine, we hand-wrote assignments. I remember writing several rough drafts of essays before turning in a final copy. It was these experiences that taught me to love the tools that eased my work. As a principal, I believe it is my job to give my staff and my students tools to ease their work. These tools may include professional development opportunities, books, supplies, and even technology. It is my belie

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I struggle to write this post due to its role in my life with relatives and friends, professionals.  So, I’ll share some resources – and, of course – three picture books and a graphic novel to provide support, insight, and open the door to conversations through literature.  According to the National Alliance on Mental Health , observance of this month has taken place since 1949: “ Together, we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.”  This year’s theme – Take the Moment – encourages individuals to talk, share resources, show empathy, and work toward understanding. “This campaign also champions the importance of destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame.”  Last year’s theme also resonates: More than Enough. This provides an “opportunity for all of us t

If you consider autographed books a form of art, then I own a compelling collection.  Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award winner;  Valerie Hemingway , personal secretary and eventual daughter-in-law of Ernest Hemingway;  Clint Smith , New York Times bestseller and poet.  Jacqueline Woodson signs autographs at the Tattered Cover bookstore in Denver (2019).  These authors provide a (very, very) small sample of the monikers scribed in my books. What they have in common is the signatures were collected at independent bookstores. Specifically in Denver, Missoula (Montana), and Baltimore.  April 27, 2024, marks Independent Bookstore Day. In its 11th year, the event – held the last Saturday in April – signifies a national celebration for independent bookstores.  Shopping at independent bookstores offers countless distinct advantages over larger chain retailers. Here are three.  Uniqueness From the inventory to the vibe, independent bookstores shine. They are more likely to carry local, n

  "A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life." - Henry Ward Beecher We couldn't agree more. Come visit your local library. A quiet place to study, relax, work, or simply escape in a good book. It's fun, the old-fashioned way. Richey (Montana) Public Library, 2022.  Google history of Richey public library , and you will eventually find the Town of Richey website with a link to the library. The webpage is “Coming Soon, Stay Tuned,” so readers are greeted with the welcome written above.  Richey, Montana, population 164, is getting a new library (visit their Facebook page to see the progress).  Because libraries connect communities. Libraries enrich lives.  Libraries surprise us … with new books.  old classics.  book clubs.  cookie making.  lending areas.  safe spaces.  with friends.  Libraries support us in unimaginable ways.  To honor the greatness of libraries and those who work in them, the American Library Association has named April 7-13 Nationa

I have been in education for 19 years, 10 of those as an elementary building principal at Linford Elementary School in Albany County School District #1. Early on in my tenure at Linford, our district adopted a new English Language Arts program in 2017. I knew this would be a massive undertaking for our district and school community. However, it was a change that was needed for our students. I will also add, this was not a super popular idea among most teachers.  The program was a significant shift from the prior programming and required new learning for teachers and, in some cases, a shift in philosophy. The most notable shift was the more intentional, repeated reading of the same text (close reading) and increased rigor within the writing portion.  Let’s pause there ... Fast forward to the fall of 2023.  I was sitting in my office at Linford when I received our Wyoming Accountability Report. I was ecstatic to see that our school had achieved the designation of Exceeding Expectations