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This was from early on in this semester. This photo reflects a common instructional strategy I use often. Here, students were exercising scientific and engineering practices while getting to know their new table-mates. Teams were competing to construct the tallest free-standing tower using only raw spaghetti noodles and limited tape with a marshmallow on top. Students really enjoyed this activity and learned the values of communication, cooperation, and succeeding from failure.

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My cousin is a missionary in Angola, Africa. She was able to come home to visit for the holidays and we got to meet her boyfriend, who will be joining her in the mission field when they get married. We don't get to see her very often, so it was a blessing to spend that time with her over the holidays.

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This is a photo from this past Christmas. We always open one gift on Christmas Eve and its always pajamas. I haven't gotten my boys matching pjs in a long time, but I was feeling nostalgic this year, and luckily they felt like indulging me. It's extremely rare to get a pic of them together nowadays, and even rarer to get one with smiles. This was our own little Christmas miracle!

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My students enjoy working with pairs when it comes to learning because it allows them to use the buddy system to complete their work. The buddy system is beneficial because it allows them to work together and help each other out in case one of them is struggling or does not understand the material. My goal is to always partner up students that can help each other. For example I like to partner up a student that is really good at Math with someone who is behind or has a hard time understanding. This balance approach of partnering allows students who are past grade level to help students who are below grade level.

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Started the Peers Assisting Student Success (PASS) program last week, which I created back in 2012.  It's a peer mentorship program where high performing students are paired with struggling students to provide after school tutoring and support. After only one week, 4 students have approached me asking to be a mentor while the mentees have started turning in their homework. Overall, all the students are excited to be part of the program and are enjoying meeting peers outside their usual circle of friends.

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This picture was taken this summer when my family and I went to Maui. My grandpa lives on Maui and in this picture we were on our way to dinner to celebrate his 93rd birthday! We love traveling as a family and we look forward to going there again this summer.

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This past weekend, our fifth graders got to go to Catalina Island for a science field trip. What better way to teach science standards than to immerse them in science? We got to students the ecosystems, oceanic life, and the solar system.

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Good morning all! My family loves to travel. Those two young ladies in the picture, I believe, have the traveling but most of all. The older one will go to Paris and England for Spring Break with her school! SO LUCKY! They definitely did not have those trips when I was younger, but if they did, wow, what fun that would have been. :)

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This picture was taken this summer right before I got engaged! My fiancé and I have been together since we were 15 years old. It is like we have grown up together. I tell my students this, but do preface that it took a lot of work, especially for two immature high school students! This is a day that I will never forget.

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My family loves to spend time together outdoors! When we aren't busy with the kid's sports activities we can be found at one of our favorite places... the beach! We love to go exploring the tide pools and see the hermit crabs, sea anemones, and even an octopus! This is a picture from our latest adventure over the weekend. Jaxson bravely held a crab in his shovel, while Gianna searched for the perfect pieces of sea glass. It was truly a wonderful day!

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This last weekend was really busy. I had the pleasure of helping my 3 daughters get ready for Winter Formal. This is my oldest daughter's final Winter Formal. She is a senior. They all looked beautiful. However, I need a second job with 3 girls, 3 dresses, and 3 sets of shoes. $$$$

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Day two of my week-long 50th birthday celebration a Casa Frida, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, MX. It's known for its wineries, fantastic food, and relaxing vibe. L->R Terry, my daughter's boyfriend; our daughter, Citlali; my husband, Daniel; my son, Tizoc; and his girlfriend, Soriah.