I usually stay away from political or current event-related posts. In light of the recent spate of mass-murders, I needed to write about this.
Author: Stacey's Headspace
Educator, family woman, author and Geriatric Gymnast.
COVID got me, but not before I celebrated my kid’s big day
COVID - that spiky nuisance. The dreaded virus that we have been trying so diligently to avoid. It finally invaded, and I am accepting that after over two years, it's my turn. But not before I was able to celebrate my kid's big day.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 11
Growing a leader requires an infusion of trust in a young person and giving them the support it takes to help them trust themselves. Becoming a leader requires taking that trust and further developing it yourself. This week's discussion with Hilary Becker-Jarusinsky shows how this can be accomplished through arts education.
Changed for the Better: the value of arts in education
We hear the cries all the time - budgets are getting squeezed, cuts have to be made, and things wind up on the chopping block. What is often the first to be sacrificed? The arts. This is one arts educator's perspective as to why that should never, ever happen.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode TEN
Tendrina Alexandre We made it to episode TEN (cue the balloons and confetti)!! I feel like there should be bells, whistles and heralding trumpets! Tendrina Alexandre (get it? TEN??) is another superstar from the past, who comes from a superstar family. Does it feel like everyone I interview here are my faves? Yes, yes it… Continue reading Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode TEN
Mental Breakthroughs
Sometimes, your brain gets in your way of progress. This post shows how, when you go back to the basics, you can break through mental and physical roadblocks.
Weight-Loss part 5: Nutritional Indiscretions
Musings of a 50-year-old chick fighting the clock, hormones, and cravings. This post shares my food strategies while traveling and attending special events.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 9
Hopefully, there are people in your life who, when you think about them, spark a sensation of pure joy, love, and light. While I have many people who fit in that category, Kayla Tavares is at the top of the list. Read more about why.
Returning to Houston
I made my first trip back to Houston since Mom died a year and a half ago. This post journals my quick trip, dipping my toes back in southern waters.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 8
There's a lot to say about this budding superstar. I knew her as a teenager - smart, observant, swimming in talent. She melted the paint off of the auditorium walls of and now she is releasing simmering Neo-Soul singles to the world. Someday soon, everybody will have Brianna Knight's name on their lips.
Like a kid in a candy store
On Monday, when I returned to my classroom from a great spring break week, I received a gift. It could only have been better if it was wrapped in a bow. Read on to share in my excitement!
An Overview of Geriatric Gymnastics
For anyone who is into fitness, gymnastics or aging gracefully, I present An Overview of Geriatric Gymnastics. You'll find links and descriptions of all of the articles I've written in the series, including strategies that this middle-aged woman uses to defy the clock.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 7
When Kristen Santos walked across the threshold of my classroom, I knew I had to up my game. What a gift it was to work with such talent, and a joy to know she continues to hone her craft today. Read on to learn what this dancing-beast learned in my classroom and how she has worked to find balance and peace in adulthood.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 6
Hernz Laguerre, Jr. has worn many hats. Linebacker, dancing cowboy, storyteller, multimedia journalist - he has taken the lessons learned from high school and infused them into his transition to adulthood. Read on about how his performing arts experiences informed who he is today.
Anticipation
Some pre-spring break thoughts from a tired teacher.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 5
Stephanie Lauredent-Diasio is back in my blogspace! "Aside from being yourself, realizing that you have your own special thing that you do so incredibly well, will get you so far in life. It's not about the grades...it's really about you as a person and the tools that you bring to the table that matters so much more than the grades you have."
Changed for the better: the power of arts in education, episode 4
Teachers have the special task of getting kids to try new things, hopefully inspiring them to develop interests and talents that they might otherwise never be exposed to. Sometimes, you get a student who walks into your classroom and immediately feels at home, taking her space in the atmosphere and making her impression for everyone in the room to witness. Read on about dance and Thespian alum Denishah Desroches.
Triumphant return
Thespian Troupe 721 rises like the phoenix. I love my kids.
Changed for the better: the power of arts in education, episode 3
Now, Elijah Fremont is all grown up. We have kept in touch over the years, and always have good conversation when we connect. It’s like we were never really apart, we just pressed pause for a little bit. In this blog post, I share some of the highlights of our chat that made me smile.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 2
I've always felt that teaching is much more than the content in which you specialize. Arts educators have the superpower of connecting to kids in ways that they will remember forever. Take a look at this week's episode of my new video podcast, "Changed for the Better: the Power of Arts in Education" to watch my inspiring conversation with Emily Dowd, class of 2015.
I’m tired
A snapshot of a moment in the life of a teacher. Maybe it’s the overcast, rainy day. Maybe it’s the work schedule that is revving up as I move into the last 2 weeks of production in our school’s spring musical. Or the fact that we are mid-March with nary a day off in sight.… Continue reading I’m tired
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 1
I've always felt that teaching is much more than the content in which you specialize. Arts educators have the superpower of connecting to kids in ways that they will remember forever. Take a look at my new video podcast, Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, to see how my connections have thrived from their experience in my classroom.
Weight-Loss part 4: Can You Give Up Tracking?
One of the strategies I used, fairly religiously, when I was in the weight-loss zone was tracking my food. It had become a daily habit which kept me honest and accountable. There was rarely a day or a meal that didn't get logged. Though laborious, I got so used to the process that it became like brushing my teeth or putting deodorant on; it was just something I did every day. Until now.
Developing a new idea
I've decided to start a new creative project. Simply put, I'm calling it "10 Questions for my Beloved Students." The idea is to interview former students of mine, those who spent significant time in my dance studio at school, and find out the most salient lessons they learned and carry with them to this day.
Writing about writing
I’m not sure I’m any closer to discovering my brand or if I’ve better defined my future-grown-up-self pathway, but at least I’ve put a lot of coherent words on a page. For today, that’s enough. Maybe tomorrow the next big idea will emerge; I'm looking forward to that "Aha!" moment.
Geriatric Gymnastics 7: Debra Bassin, part 5
At 48 years old, Debby Bassin, a one-time stay-at-home mom, has created quite a positive and impactful presence in her community. Now, over five years after Flipper’s Gymnastics became an LLC, Debby graciously reflected on a few more questions about her journey thus far.
Geriatric Gymnastics 7: Debra Bassin, part 4
What’s funny about all of the necessary chaos required to reimagine our vision in a pandemic, is how, while we were technically forced to make changes, it gave us the mental space to be more creative. Sometimes, being pushed to adapt makes us think about how to utilize our precious resources more economically and efficiently.
Geriatric Gymnastics 7: Debra Bassin, part 3
In this chapter of Geriatric Gymnastics, you'll get a glimpse of some of the hurdles Debby Bassin had to maneuver in order to officially open her doors, as well as how her expectations were not always reflective of her reality.
Geriatric Gymnastics 7: Debra Bassin, part 2
Geriatric Gymnastics 8 discusses the spark that started the Flipper's Gymnastics flame and what led Debra Bassin to take the leap into business ownership.
Debra Bassin: Courage and Grit Personified, part 1
I am excited to introduce a new facet of my Geriatric Gymnastics series, Debra Bassin: Courage and Grit Personified. In these next chapters, I will reveal Debby’s story as a gymnast and an emerging business owner.
Stacey's Headspace 