Cummins Red Barn Family Farm

 

Sipapu New Mexico

Went skiing this weekend with my family. This is a favorite passtime for my family. But, we were itching to get home to the farm. 

And our new babies.

Blue, Batman, Becky, Chad, Wynonna, 

Well, they are not new. Probably 3 to 4 years old. We inherited 10 hens after we finished our coop. As look would have it, my daughter's friend's parents were giving away their flock. We were ready. Researched as much as we could about chickens and scooped them up. Still learning. They are wonderful. I am loving my transtion from a Mrs. Frizzle Bad Ass teacher to a Crazy Chicken Lady. 

As a principal, I hugged and greeted almost 300 students a day. A favorite part of my day pre-covid. Now, every morning, I try to hug 10 chickens! Not always easy. But far easier than trying to hug high-school students in a Spanish class! I don't even try in Spanish class!

#raisingchickens #newfarmers #Spanishteacher

Teacher to Principal to Spanish Teacher to Teaching to Support a Farm!

 Teacher to Principal to Spanish Teacher to Teaching to Support a Farm!

Is blogging for me? I have 2 posts in 3 years. Thinking about trying TicToc.

I am no longer a principal. So reflections about being a principal are fading. I retired after 7 years at my small elementary school. I loved my experience as a principal. It will always be a part of me and how I think.

Before I was even out the door, I was recruited to teach Spanish in High School. I retired in 2020 during COVID but not because of COVID. I stepped into a great new teaching experience. So many changes at once! Principal to Teacher, Public School to Private School, Elementary to High School, Spanish in dual language to Spanish as a foreign language. Keeps my brain smart all these changes.

Now it is 2022, I am still teaching Spanish. I enjoy learning and the classroom. But, my new adventure is farming! What! In December 2021, we sold are house and moved into a small 3 acre farm with a big red barn. Was this on your bucket list a friend asked? No, it was just a bucket my husband and I tripped over. And now we have a lot of plans and learning to do! We are working to get this farm functioning as we envision it. Learning as we go.

So far, we have a dog and a name! Cummins Red Barn Family Farm!

Early Morning Coffee - Starting out the 2017-2018 School Year

It is the first day back at school for teachers and staff. As, I had in to my fifth year, I am reflecting on where I am at in my life as a principal. So, I start this early morning with a cup of coffee and some questions.

1. How can I improve my reflective practices? I started this blog a year ago and this is my second entry! I need to set a goal for once a week, maybe once a month.
2. What do I need to do to make my school a place where teachers want to be? I have a few new staff members and returning staff members who have been there longer than me. Many of who are not working toward my vision of every child is our child.
3. How do I keep balance in my life? Between work and family, I am constantly playing catch up. I need to improve my health and I need to make the moments with my family count. My girls are growing fast and I cherish every moment with them. But, I know I miss so much because I am focused on something at work.

First Principal Blog

This is my first professional blog. I have been an educator for 22 years. This is my fourth year as a principal. I am starting this blog because as I move forward in education, I find myself faltering, losing sight of my purpose. I hope through this blog I can reflect and connect with other educators on student focus in an ever challenging realm of public education.