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In the spring of 2020, many people put their shovels to work to churn hardened dirt into rich, lush soil beds for plants. What once was an underutilized hill behind our home, has now become a beautiful and bountiful veggie patch. Its adorable containers and charming flower border bring much needed food for the soul. Switching my hands' work from the keyboard to the gardener's glove, the time in my garden helps me recharge after a grueling day on the screen.

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How did you find peace and light during the past year?

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Brown, Cream, White Minimalist Inspirational Quote Instagram Post

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What stands before you, and how are you hopeful for moving forward this next year?

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Bisque and White Traditional Life Quote Instagram Post

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How did you find or give support to those around you? What can your MSU community do to support you?

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What's your next chapter, Spartans?

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Green Outdoors Inspirational Quote Instagram Post

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What did you do during the pandemic that helped you grow and move forward?

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What did you do during the pandemic that helped you grow and move forward?

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Did you start any new hobbies? Share your best stories:

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Did you start any new hobbies? Share your best stories:

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Let's hear it: What was your most-played song during COVID-19?

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Let's hear it: What was your most-played song during COVID-19?

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What was the most delicious recipe you made?

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What was the most delicious recipe you made?

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What was your favorite show you watched?

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What was your favorite show you watched?

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To help me cope with daily changes outside my control, I chose to take on a project where I completely controlled the changes. Last fall, I updated a 1993 Jayco travel trailer--here are some before and after pictures.

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I defended my dissertation in September 2020. My partner and I couldn't have the big celebration, with lots of family and friends, that we had been hoping for, but we were able to have an awesome bonfire in our backyard instead. We're grateful that we were still able to celebrate this milestone somehow!

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📸: Trevor Hawks. Picture of empty campus, with a focus on Spartan Stadium, in spring 2021. 

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Picture of an inside spread of the "New Educator" magazine, spring 2021.

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In 2021, the College of Education published its "New Educator" magazine, which included a series of stories of how our faculty, staff, students and alumni responded to, collaborated through and supported others during COVID-19.

Read more: education.msu.edu/new-educator