Hi, I’m Stacey. I’m a dance, physical education and theatre teacher in New York. At home, I’m mom to 2 almost grown women, 2 sweet rescue dogs and Mac the semi-indifferent rescue cat. My husband and I navigate the roller coaster of parenthood together, with varying degrees of success. Most importantly, everything we do is driven out of the love we feel for the people we care about.
Part of that love is in sharing stories about myself and the many people I’ve crossed paths with. I write about inspiring connections and navigating struggles in family, teaching, podcasting, flipping (on a trampoline), self-care and then some.
Thanks for visiting. I’m grateful you have taken the time to click around. Please subscribe and you can keep up with all the stuff swirling around in my head!
Improving Back Handspring Technique
If you are looking to solve your back handspring issues, this article might give you some food for thought. Back handsprings are one of the harder basic skills to acquire,…
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Return to nature
It’s been eight months, but I finally returned to my beloved Ramapo Reservation for my first hike of the season. I had almost forgotten the amazing feeling I get from…
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The Power of Yet
This article is the convergence of all areas of my life experience: teaching, parenting, singing, and being a Geriatric Gymnast. No matter what the effort is, I have found myself…
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Commit to the Fundamentals
In gymnastics, every choice you make is an important one. Each skill, whether a handstand, salto (flip) or a complex combination of moves, requires a laundry list of technical requirements.…
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Translanguaging in Arts Education
I am an arts educator. My charge is not only inspiring the creative spark in adolescents, but making sure our English Language Learners have equal access and opportunity to participating…
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You have to go through it.
This phrase is something I found myself saying since the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. It was one of those wise things I’d say to the kids when things…
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Mental Breakthroughs 2
Two years ago, I wrote an article about some of the mental blocks I’ve managed, largely due to injuries sustained, and the mental breakthroughs I’ve made in trying to overcome…
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Phytoestrogens and (peri)menopause
As a female Gen Xer firmly in the middle of her (peri)menopausal transition, I realize just how much I don’t know about this part of my own life cycle. In…
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Passing the torch
As I write this post, I have three and a half years to go before I step away from teaching at Spring Valley High School. Now is the time that…
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Weight-loss 12: Tricky 2023
It seems I’m posting these weight-loss journey reports biannually now. Apparently, I wax weight management when my work life wanes; during winter break and just as summer starts. A year…
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Mid-life Musings: Insomnia
Insomnia. Wake at 3:30 a.m. Go to the bathroom. Lay back down under the covers. Never get to slide back into the state that unlocks rest and dreams. It’s a…
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It’s November again
It’s been a while since my last post. Once the boot came off from breaking my foot in August, it seems I hit the proverbial ground hobbling, then running, I…
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Sometimes you break yourself, part 8
I’m approaching the end of week seven post-fifth metatarsal break and the foot is healing, slowly but surely. My follow-up appointment was on Friday morning, just two days before the…
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Sometimes you break yourself, part 7
It’s been a couple of weeks since my last update. I’d been putting it off until this week’s doctor’s appointment, the anticipation of which was a source of anxiety and…
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The Geriatric Gymnast chats with painter Tessa Lang
On the eve of the launch of her brand new Chtapodi Collective line, Tessa Lang was so gracious to sit for a chat to talk about her artistic journey and…
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Sometimes you break yourself, part 6
I’ve been back to work for a week now, and I have to say in the middle of week four, I am exhausted. The boot saga continues.
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Sometimes you break yourself, part 5
Healing a broken bone takes a long time. Intellectually, I know this. Emotionally, it’s a whole other story.
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First day jitters
After 27 years in education, I still get anticipatory anxiety on the last night of summer vacation. It’s even worse with a broken right foot. Here’s the play by play…
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Three years
Some thoughts about Ronnie Sue, my beautiful mom, on the 3 year anniversary of her passing.
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Sometimes you break yourself, part 4
I got not-so-good news at the one week orthopedist follow up.
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When it’s time for them to leave, part 2
The final step of our college-bound empty nest.
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Sometimes you break yourself, part 3
Rounding out the week one of my broken right foot saga. While there is ZERO FUN about this experience, I am happy to report that there has been good progress…
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Episode 14: Solitude
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This episode explores the bliss of solitude.
Keep readingEpisode 13: What is Mindfulness?
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This episode talks about what mindfulness is and how can we use it to reclaim our sense of…
Keep readingEpisode 12: Imposter Syndrome
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This episode talks about the dreaded and ubiquitous imposter syndrome.
Keep readingEpisode 11: Dealing With Pain, part 2
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This episode is another session in dealing with the pain we feel.
Keep readingEpisode 10: Dealing With Pain, part 1
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This episode talks about taking steps to distract ourselves from the pain we feel.
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REVIEW: Tessa Lang’s Tigers and Toucs Leggings
My 5-star review for Tessa Lang’s Tigers and Toucs leggings.
Keep readingEpisode 9: Hurry Up and Wait
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This episode talks about strategies when you need to be patient.
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Taking the shoes off the shelf
In a previous life, I was a tap teacher for over two decades. I put my tap shoes on the shelf just before the pandemic. This August, I put them…
Keep readingSometimes you break yourself, part 2
A chronicle of my first 3 days in the boot after breaking my right foot. Making progress, indeed!
Keep readingEpisode 8: 3-Minute Meditation
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This episode is a quick 3-minute check in to help you re-center yourself.
Keep readingEpisode 7: Gratitude
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This episode is about showing appreciation for the life you have.
Keep readingEpisode 6: Mental Decluttering
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This episode is about decluttering our busy brains.
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Sometimes, you break yourself
Gymnastics is all about highs and lows. This post talks about dealing with those lows, just as I was enjoying a peak.
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Making strides: part two
Nature walks are a metaphor for life and we determine how we will navigate it. The choices we make and the feelings we push through are all part of it.…
Keep readingEpisode 5: Nature Walk
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This is about one of my favorite summertime activities: a nature walk.
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When it’s time for them to leave, part 1
This year will be the beginning of our empty nest experience. It unfolds slowly. This is part one.
Keep readingEpisode 4: When Sleep Won’t Come
Here’s a meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, give a listen!
Keep readingEpisode 3: Setting Boundaries
Here’s a meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. if you have an issue setting boundaries, give a listen.
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My beautiful summer experience
This summer, I had a transformative experience that I will never forget. The beautiful people at YAI are the best!
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Theatrefolk Podcast
In spring of 2015, Thespians got a lot of good attention in what felt like a sea of bad press. This is about our story about beating the odds.
Keep readingEpisode 2: I am
A meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. This episode is about how we define ourselves.
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American Theatre Profile
In June, 2015, “Dancing on the Edge with Spring Valley High’s Thespian Troupe 721” was published in American Theatre, written by former Thespian Jamie Green.
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This Is How I Hope To Help
About a 2020 article that was written in conjunction with Lauren Brill, journalist and founder of The Unsealed.
Keep readingEpisode 1: At The Beach
Here’s a meditation podcast you can listen to in 15 minutes or less. If the beach relaxes you, set some time aside to listen.
Keep readingMaking strides
There’s a familiar squeeze in my chest whenever I start something new, especially when I’m doing it by myself. Anticipatory anxiety creeps in as I’m approach the task. Today’s hike…
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Building a new website
Changed for the Better has a new home! Visit changedwithtirro.com to see all things CFTB and subscribe now!
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Ask Tirro 3: Nausheen Rokerya
Welcome to episode three of the newest series of Changed for the Better: Ask Tirro! This time, Nausheen Rokerya puts me in the hot seat!
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Self care – it’s a necessity
I’ve become much more aware of the need for self-care of late. I’ve been trying to define what that means for me, adding strategies to my bucket for years now.
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Stacey's Headspace 