Tiff4Tat

I became an educator with the goal of sharing my passion for literature. I have been an educator since 1998, beginning as a secondary English teacher in Brooklyn, New York. My early experiences connected me with Teachers College, which created a foundation of beliefs around learning.  My wife, Kate, an ESOL certified literacy coach, and I left the city and continued our teaching careers at Orange-Ulster BOCES. I was privileged to work at a BOCES, as it provided me the opportunity to work with the 17 component districts.  This view offered an exposure to how students experience learning across the county.  Additionally, BOCES trained me as a literacy facilitator in a program focused on Literacy Across Content Areas. As my career progressed, my connection to one of the component districts, Port Jervis, deepened.  Port Jervis is a unique small city, a caring and supportive community, situated between the Delaware and Neversink Rivers with beautiful mountain views....

I was born in a February blizzard known to blanket the eastern Montana plains throughout the 70’s.  Twenty-eight years and nine days later, my oldest son was born half-past midnight on a frigid night in Butte, Montana. In the early morning hours on the 28th that year, it was around -40 degrees.  Both born in February. Both born in the cold. Both bonafide Pisces.  Pisces. Stock photo VectorStock The twelfth sign of the zodiac, individuals under the Pisces sign - born between February 18 and March 20 – is represented by two fish. A water sign, Pisces are considered creative, intuitive, and emotional. Pisces often feel things deeply – perhaps psychically – and are known to have strong gut instincts.  My birthday is Monday, and this week’s blog is meant to be fun and interesting. It is insightful only to the extent that I’m sharing what has been gleaned from websites and a novice interest in the traits, actions, and emotions that may be influenced by the zodiac. It is al...

A wrestling poem for our daughters and sons In the arena of strength and might,  Warriors clash with all their fight,  Moms stand as guardians, guiding lights,  Moms of wrestlers, hearts take flight.  Singlets donned and shoes laced tight,  Our children step forth into the wrestlers' fight.  Warriors on the mat, relentless and bright, Moms cheer from the stands, with all our might.  Grueling practices and endless drills, A wrestler’s determination never stills.  With every takedown, pin, and win,  Moms witness their passion, their spirit within.  Wrestling rooms – sweat-soaked and tough, Wrestlers learn resilience, discipline, and all is enough.  Moms watch them grow, fierce and kind, True embodiment of body and mind.  Moms bandage their wounds, seen and not, With tender care, moms tend a lot. A mother’s love knows no bounds, Supporting their dreams, hearing wrestling sounds. In the face of setbacks and moments of doubt, Moms o...

In the arena of strength and might,  Warriors clash with all their fight. Moms stand as guardians, guiding lights,  Moms of wrestlers, hearts take flight.  Bradley and Ben, 2010.  Singlets donned and shoes laced tight,  Our children step forth into the wrestlers' fight.  Warriors on the mat, relentless and bright, Moms cheer from the stands, with all our might.  Ben, 2015. Grueling practices and endless drills, A wrestler’s determination never stills.  With every takedown, pin, and win,  Moms witness their passion, their spirit within.  Ben with a pin, 2024. Wrestling rooms – sweat-soaked and tough, Wrestlers learn resilience, discipline, and all is enough.  Moms watch them grow, fierce and kind, True embodiment of body and mind.  Bradley in NIC wrestling room, 2024. Shout out to Dishaw Photography.  Moms bandage their wounds, seen and not, With tender care, moms tend a lot. A mother’s love knows no bounds, Supporting thei...

In a December 31, 2023, post , I introduced you to Marshmallow, our school’s reading buddy. Once a month, Marshmallow and I conduct a read aloud in K-3 classes as part of our schoolwide literacy plan.  Guess how excited I am for February 7, which has been deemed World Read Aloud Day! A quick Google search elicits results for tons of activities and titles to use to make this a fun-filled day with books. My go-to sites have been LitWorld and the website of children’s author Kate Messner for book titles, virtual author read aloud options, and activities.  This post contains links to connect you with ideas, book titles, and themes to consider for read alouds that you can access all year.  In February, I read Stickler Loves the World by Lane Smith. A wonderfully weird and fantastic book about enjoying all the grand and simple wonders in the world. If you want a book that’s quirky, funny, and full of wonders with great illustrations, read this!  There is endless resear...