In Part One, I talked about Motivation and how it is a great tool for getting started. But in order to see success, you must change your routine so it becomes a habit. How do you do that?   Make Time For It The most important thing that you can do to ensure that you will get it done is to set aside a certain time of day that is dedicated to exercise. Consistency is the key to success, so take a look at your daily schedule. Where can you put a workout? Can you do this after work, or before? Can you do this daily, or is there only space three times per week? Pick something that is achievable for ..read more

In this series, I’m going to be writing about my journey from out of shape Dad-Bod to where I am right now: Pleased with my progress, but hungry for more.   Part 1: Motivation   Right around Fitz’ first birthday, I was playing with him in the backyard doing the old “dad toss”. I tossed him up once, he laughed. Encouraged by his baby belly laughs, I tossed him once more, and again. But I abruptly had to stop: I was winded. There I was, a 6’2, 200 something adult male, out of breath from playing with my 20lb toddler.   The scales fell from my eyes: I just realized how out of shape I was. When I ..read more

I guess the best way to start out this would be to ask what kind of things do you get for Christmas? ? mean for my son I bought him toys, and he received a few clothes. It wasn’t crazy. But for me growing up, we always got clothes at Christmas and our birthdays. Especially as we got older. Maybe because we were girls or maybe because we didn’t always have a lot of money? I mean we got clothes at the start of the school year, Christmas and the start of summer. Anyways, I love clothes, and I love receiving clothes, and I love giving clothes, too! It apparently is NOT what everyone gets (or wants ..read more

I teach high school. When it comes to gifts, they are so very appreciated, and I can admit that I am HUGELY jealous of the gifts that elementary teachers get. But I am not jealous of the sticky hands they deal with all day. So, I guess that is the trade off. However, high school teachers still love and appreciate gifts. Don’t forget about us. And really… we’re super easy. We don’t need cutesy stuff. A heartfelt thank you Christmas Card, New Years, Valentine’s Day or Teacher Appreciation Day Card is all we’re asking for. Along with that card we would be ecstatic for: Flair Pens! These are the b ..read more

One of my best friends from high school is now an assistant principal at an early learning center. She works with all kinds of kiddos – children with special needs, to children from low-income families, to the district’s teachers’ kids. This provides her with a range of children to study and learn from. The other day she mentioned how she uses “social stories” with some of her more difficult children. When I asked what a social story was, she explained, “A social story is a personalized story to teach a social behavior. You can use it proactively before a time a student usually struggles, or y ..read more