December 19, 2006 by Jen.

I am excited to announce that I have been named one of the Alumni Awards Foundation’s Educators of the Year. I believe that there is one winner per union, and I was the Columbia Union choice. This is such an amazing honor, and I’m very humbled. For some reason, any time that I’m recognized for something, it makes me think about all the things that I’m still doing wrong… Teaching is a learning process itself, and I hope to never stop learning! Anyway, they are making a video of me interacting with the kids, and interviewing kids for quotes about me. Hopefully I’ll get to keep a copy of it. I get to go to Scottsdale, AZ for the reception in February, and apparently I receive $1000! Very cool.

Posted in Announcement | 11 Comments »

December 12, 2006 by Jen.

So, here’s the story.  On Friday, December 1, Jesse and I attended the National Council on Social Studies (for teachers) in Washington, DC.  We went to a really cool seminar about how to use music to teach history.  The Library of Congress has a great website for downloading old recordings of great pop hits such as “Daughters of Freedom, the Ballot be Yours!” from suffrage days, etc.  Very fun stuff.  And then we went to see Alex.  He hosted the National Geographic Teachers’ Geography Bee.  There were 10 finalists, and we watched them compete much like they do on Jeopardy, without the nice wall of televisions in the background.  The questions were extreeeeeemely hard, but I must say that between the two of us, Jesse and I didn’t do too badly for ourselves. (Of course we were answering quietly to ourselves, having not participated in the preliminary round of questions; we were unworthy to sit on the stage.)  Alex was HILARIOUS!  He is truly a brilliant man, but I think what has helped him rise to the top is his really great sense of humor and uncanny sense of timing.  He thinks on his feet very well and very quickly.  We were laughing pretty much the entire time.  End of the story: the man who won was definitely a geography nerd and deserved the two round-trip tickets to the Galapagos Islands.  Very cool.  We had a wonderful experience and hope to go next year when the annual convention will be held in San Francisco!

Posted in Random | 3 Comments »

December 12, 2006 by Jen.

Don’t we live in a beautiful place?!! By the way, that white speck is the moon.

(Click thumbnail for large picture)

Posted in Profound | No Comments »

December 12, 2006 by Jen.

Hey Everyone! It was great to see you at Thanksgiving. Here are some pictures from the lovely family photo shoot. I think we have a clear winner….Clyde!!

(Click thumbnail for large picture)

Posted in Fun | 8 Comments »

December 12, 2006 by Jason.

People have been asking, so here are some helpful gift ideas:

These are Thorlos CoolMax Light Hiking Socks. I used to have 3 pairs of these about five years ago. The last pair finally got a hole in them one week ago.

You can purchase this item at Campmor. Size L.

To the right you can see Outdoor Research S/P Polartec® Powerstretch Gloves.

The only gloves I currently own are snowboard gloves and they are quite bulky. These gloves are designed to be more form-fitting.
You can also purchase these gloves at Campmor. Size L.

To the left you can see Roast Beef, contemplating a package. What is in this package you may ask? Why it’s Volume 6 & 7 of Achewood!

Posted in Fun | 1 Comment »