suzette roberts

// Hello December!: Maintaining Our Classroom Team Spirit

Hello December(!) and what a year it's been!!

First up, on a very happy and celebratory note, I have to share (if you are not already in the know)... our Official NORAD Santa Tracker is up and busy and yep our kids (and many of us teachers, shamelessly) are always in... :)

 

Wow! I don't think we can overdo our exclamation marks for the year that has just evolved with all of it's happenings, and well-needed changes along the way looking back on our last 12 months. Now that my work in Education has transitioned into webinars, compliance, and research, I still reflect quite often with a huge smile, much laughter, grace, and gratitude on those super-busy hands on years in the classroom, and with our various well-structured learning centers. If I were to choose just one word to describe what makes a classroom (or group) soar to incredible heights and goodness that transcends outwards into the larger world, it would be 'Respect'... respect for our individual selves, respect for those who we serve: our families, friends, business relations, and in general, each other. Once we are committed to this very wholesome and defining principle, the rest is easy, as it lends itself to kindness, doing the right thing, and living a life that we can look back on with appreciation, fulfillment, and feel that lightness, lift, and healthy inner elegance we are meant to have in our everyday lives...

// Fall Movie Night Homemade Pizza

Three things we look forward to as fall seriously sets in and we are buried in the full cozies of it all is i) our 30 minute evening walks around our neighbourhood to give our lungs some fresh air (+ stretch our aging muscles :)); can't believe I actually said 'aging' as I still feel like a five year old, but alas 'tis true, and our muscles love it, ii) more cuddled up movie nights (indoors of course, blankets included), and iii) new ways to try something new with something traditional and pretty routine. With (iii), it usually boils down to something in the 'eats' department, geared towards our warmer supper hour, with minimal time and fuss. Hello again to the easy homemade pizza toast where we can indulge in a loved seasonal seed bread, warm tomato sauce, cheeses as we fancy them, and toppings that float our boat into the very merry...

// Healthy Classroom (and Team) Habits...

... in addition to maintaining a clean, tidy, and cool working classroom for our students and ourselves.

 

There will never be a world, a country, a city, a community, an industry, or a household without problems, but how we choose to handle it determines our strength or weakness, and its ultimate legacy. - Suzette

 

In our world of Education, we are always seeking out new ways to energize, engage, and elevate our young children in our various classroom settings... and beyond the basics of curriculum objectives and other school year goals. Living in a dynamic society allows for shared ideas and communication exchanges where the good, bad and at times very ugly will reveal itself in a myriad of ways. Those with decades of successful classroom and in-office health, safety and compliance experiences, will tell you that it goes without saying that creating a physically and mentally safe learning and working atmosphere continues to be vital to the positive and outstanding gains of our children and ourselves as adults in said classrooms, our schools, and other organizations. We always strive to be mindful of the whole: the entire unit, avoiding any kind of discriminatory, dishonourable, deceptive and unethical practices and communication, as we know this only opens the door to a general lack-luster state, disengagement, low group spirit, and ultimate distrust...

// Magazine Moments: Fall 2018

This season's online and offline magazine reads, and where I often find many moments of calm and inspiration each and every week. Above is a new-to-me magazine, The Simple Things, that's right up my alley with its nature-ful outdoorsy and indoor comforts and fall adventures for the entire family. Their Could-do (no pressure) list for October already has us thinking about another day-trip escape. Two more favourites after the jump...

// The Tuesday Six, Plus...

 

 

Recent loved reads and finds from around the web...

 

...  We've been patiently waiting on their arrival and more....

...  52 Inspirational quotes on gratitude that will transform your life.

...  CHANEL'S Fall-Winter 2018/19 Ready-to-Wear Show by Karl Lagerfeld. :)

...  Pan searing a beautiful steak is wayyy easier than you'd think.

...  Loving the elegance of these for the upcoming holiday season.

...  And up for login October 10th: Building strong relationships in the classroom.

 

>>> Plus... this October concert(!) for classical lovers.

 

 

// Hello October!~: Desktop Wallpapers for Fall

GREENERY BLISS

Good morning, and hello October! Right around this time of the year, I look forward to refreshing my desktop for the new season as we move away from our much brighter sunshine days for the next few months. A softer yet energizing (while not too overpowering) nature capture, sketch, or watercolour art is my go-to. It gives an added lift to begin the day and always makes me smile months down the road with already viewing it at least five to six times each week. Here are three new wallpaper ideas I'm currently loving. The top wallpaper (Greenery Bliss), is from a recent walk and you can click within the print for a larger download image and resize to fit for your desktop. Plus, two more loved prints after the jump. 

As usual, happy and safe travels during October. xx