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My family last Christmas because we didn't take any group photos this summer.

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I would like to focus on being a better support to my team this year. I read over the summer, but the books were not education-related. I do read a lot of posts in Spanish and English teacher groups. I am interested in working on ways to incorporate more CI (comprehensible input) language acquisition strategies in our virtual world.

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Welcome back.  I sent a lot of time with my new puppy, Ben this summer.

I would like to Zoom more with student this year.

This summer I read Jay Shetty's 8 Rules of Love which discusses all forms of love including love we give ourselves and students.

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1. I spent most of my summer with my husband, Kevin, and our two girls, Freya and Mira.
2. I plan on picking a topic weekly to discuss with my students in our check ins, so our conversations are varied and I get to know my students more.
3. I'm beginning to read "Unearthing Joy," by Gouldy Muhammad.

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Commerce Township, Commerce Charter Township, MI

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Commerce Township, Commerce Charter Township, MI

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Commerce Township, Commerce Charter Township, MI

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I was lucky to spend a lot of time with my daughter this summer... we went to Hocking Hills with the whole family, just the 2 of us in CO, family in Silverlake, and then the 2 of us at band camp and in Stratford

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Olivia Shaieb - HS Sub, Mentor/Teacher
This is me, my husband James, my sister and her new fiance at my first Tiger's game!

I am going to try to identify those students that really need pushing and begin checking in with them daily/more frequently right from the start.

I started establishing a consistent yoga practice this summer. I found that it really helped in so many ways. I believe it will help me stay more focused on positive possibilities for our students this year.

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Amy Olind - MVA High School Mentor/Teacher

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1. I spent my summer travelling all over the place! I went to see Taylor Swift in Detroit and then flew my oldest to Denver to see her a second time (see picture!). I also went to Seattle and Chicago for my full-time job at Oakland University in addition to visiting friends in North Carolina multiple times.
2. I am excited to see if I can get my students to use Google Sites to act as an all-inclusive resource! I am also excited that half of my roster is filled with my kiddos from last year...I can't wait to go see them graduate in the spring!
3. For self care, I read "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle.

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Kristen Austin

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This is a photo of my daughter Claire and me playing at a park near my parent's house in Virginia. 

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1. This summer, I spent every day with my daughter Claire! We had so much fun exploring our new town and visiting with family in Virginia for two weeks.
2. This year, I want to use make my routine communication with students more fun and interesting. I plan to make graphics using Canva to send reminders and helpful tips throughout the week. I hope this will increase student engagement. I also hope to work on power hour with a teammate this year to increase student participation.
3. I did read a lot this summer (I'm on book #27 for the year!) but nothing related to education. My favorite self-care videos are from Yoga with Adriene on YouTube!

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I want to Zoom with my lab students more this year. I would like to find a way to host a "power hour//meet up" with my students after their normal school day. My self care was going to Vegas with my daughter when she turned 21 this summer.

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I was able to spend time with my two Grandsons.

I am reading a great book, A Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.

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Sarah Stratz Mentor/Teacher   West Branch, MI  

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Sarah Stratz Mentor/Teacher   West Branch, MI  

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I spent most of my time this summer with my boys, Dane and Reed. We enjoyed swimming, going on vacations, picking the garden, riding our quads, and blueberry picking! Dane starts 9th grade and Reed starts 1st grade.

This year I would like to implement small changes to the way I organize "my classroom" and my office space to save time.

This summer I read Atomic Habits by James Clear. It is based on the Four Laws of Behavior Change. It taught me a simple set of rules for creating good habits and breaking bad ones. I highly recommend this book!

This summer self-care was very important to me. I recharged my battery, and I am ready for a great school year!

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I spent this summer with my family and friends camping and spending time outside! This year a strategy I am going to be really sticking with is staying consistent with my schedule and availability for students. No particular tiktok/video for self care, however, I am focusing so much on my own two kiddos and being present as they continue to grow and develop and start school on their own this year!

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Commerce Township, Commerce Charter Township, MI

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Commerce Township, Commerce Charter Township, MI

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Commerce Township, Commerce Charter Township, MI

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Laura Smith
1. I got to spend tons and tons of time with my boys this summer and I loved every minute of it.  They are a riot and becoming such great friends!
2. I'm excited to use Google Sites to get information to my students.  I am also excited to use Canva and Loom more.
3. I wish I had more time to read for myself, but instead I got to read tons of books about Construction Trucks, Dinosaurs, and Lego Ninjago. I loved every page!

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1. I spent the most time with my family this summer taking weekend trips, attending sporting events and enjoying the summer months of Michigan!

2. I am super excited about our team notebook and being able to stay organized with everything in one place while welcoming collaboration and brainstorming for our students.

3.  I didn't have much time to read this summer, but I am looking forward to reading Simon Sinek's "Together is Better".

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This is an older picture, but I hung out with my husband and two granddaughters the most!
I am looking forward to beginning this new year by making a plan with each student on my roster to help them achieve their goals.

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I spent time with family and my bunnies this summer.
I am looking forward to implementing a Google Site this year.
I want to make a difference with my students!
-Amy Slater

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Copenhagen, Denmark - Summer we turned 30!

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This summer was one for the books. My husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We celebrated it by going on a 10-day cruise to the British Isles. We flew into London and sailed out of South Hampton, England. We finished our cruise in Copenhagen, Denmark. It truly was a fantastic time and I am already planning the next trip. Once back home we spent lots of time with our children and grandbabies.

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My wife and I did a 5 week road trip starting in Chicago to Portland, Maine with many stops in New England then back to Chicago. This is us in Philadelphia trying to not look disappointed after learning that Hamilton's house is no longer there. We also saw Dave Matthews Band twice and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats 🤘

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Nova will be a 2nd grader this fall!! Growing up so fast!! 

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Jim McKiernan New Baltimore, MI 48047, USA

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Jim McKiernan New Baltimore, MI 48047, USA

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I was busy with my granddaughter Nova all summer. She's a little fish. She also loves soccer and riding bikes!

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Yes! Count the balloons. There were 2, but soon there will be 4. My daughter who is a twin, is pregnant with twins. We are thrilled. - Gwen Grace 

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I've been reading the book "Happy Teachers Change the World" by Thich Nhat Hanh. It's a really good book that focuses on mindfulness and can be really good for anyone, not just educators. I've spend the summer mostly at home (pictured above) with my husband and cat! Something new I would like to implement is more use of my Google Site so that I can have it be almost like a "ready reference" for my students!

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I definitely spent the most time with my favorite little buddy. I'm looking forward to being more positive in helping my team roll with the new changes this year. And I just finished reading "Together is Better," by Simon Sinek.

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Logan Stickel.

My wonderful cat.

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My husband Brian and I at an old iron mine in the UP.

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Hubby and I had a fantastic summer visiting friends and family around the mitten and the UP. Can't wait to try new Zoom games. And I listened to some great audio books to improve my practice.

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Camping at McCoys Ferry Campground in Clear Spring, MD

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Williamsport, MD - Yesenia Garcia-Navarro

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Williamsport, MD - Yesenia Garcia-Navarro

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1. I spent most of my summer with my partner, Walker, and my fur baby, Luka! We spent a lot of time outside hiking and camping.
2. I'm excited to try out Google Sites to engage my students/parents and have a one-stop-shop for them for any assistance they need.
3. Does Vampire Diaries count? It's about "high schoolers" so kind of? lol but I did do a lot of reading, but for fun! A really good book I read this summer was "Of Women and Salt" by Gabriela Garcia. It ties in multiple generations of women jumping from present-day modern Miami to 19th-century Cuba. The stories run through the struggles the women face through ICE, wars and rebellions, addictions, etc.

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Harriet Brown

I had a very relaxing joyful summer. It is very nice to be back.

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I spent most of my summer with my Palestinian students, and other fellows, in Jerusalem/Palestine.

This school I would to develop and facilitate a PD geared ESL/ELL and co-teaching. I would also like to host a virtual parent information session to explain the importance of WIDA and other state testing.

I read a lot of articles about supporting student's home language(s) in a monolingual setting. I also read about the importance of pronouncing student names correctly.

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I am ready for the new school and getting to know the students, also to become an important part of their academic success.

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These are my two boys. We spent a lot of time together this Summer traveling.

This year I hope to connect with more students via zoom and see their faces, let them know how much I care.

This Summer I re-read: The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle.

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Hello, I'm Joanne Brashaw.  This is my wonderful family. My husband Bryan, Elizabeth, Emila, Ben and Nathan. We went on a cruise to Cozumel and we had a great time!

I am looking forward to developing a Google site as a reference for my students and parents. My overall goal is to have a healthy work/home balance.

I didn't see this online or read about it, but this summer I started walking and making better meal/snack choices. I feel much better and have more energy as a result. I hope I can keep it up during the school year.

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My boyfriend and I at the Mackinaw Bridge

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1.  I spend most of my time with my boyfriend. We spend a lot of time at our cottage or traveling to other places in Michigan and sometimes out of state.
2.  I would like to have really good communication with all my students this year and make sure I am listening to all of their needs.
3. I have watched videos on Tik Tok that deal with education. I didn't have much time to read books as I spend a lot of time in my garden in the summer.

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I even worked at Korvette back in the day.  It's a Walmart now!

I had the usual summer.  I spent a lot of time with 1 of my sisters and her children, working on graduation plans and parties.  I did a lot of scrapbooking - my favorite past time reviewing the lives of my great nieces and nephews.
I hope  to continue to improve the relationships I create with my tutoring students.  Sometimes this is difficult because of the short time I get to spend with them, but I continue to try - it is always rewarding.
I enjoyed spending time with a new friend and neighbor - visiting, sharing dinners at home and going out to dinner.  She is a great Christian friend.  And I began working on curriculum - creating guided notes for the Culinary Arts A class - I am learning a lot!!

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1. I spent the Summer with my boys traveling for Baseball :) The middle picture is my girlfriends and I of 30+ years at our girls weekend this Summer.  I look forward to the first weekend of August every year!!
2. I really want to learn more about AI, team building activities and using our teams OneNote.
3. Currently reading "Together is Better"

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Purchased a swim spa and spent most of my time traveling to appointments.
Implement different activities that are standard-based.
Different AI technology.

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The summer flew by!  I worked summer school teaching Algebra 1. I also worked many concerts and sporting activities for a non-profit organization. I went on two trips - one to visit my sister in San Francisco and one to Chicago. We also celebrated my daughter's high school graduation and move her to CMU next week. I am looking forward to the new school year. My goal is to have more phone contact with both students and parents.

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My two daughters, Hannah and Abbey, on vacation in Ludington, MI this summer!  

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1. Share a photo of who you spent the most time with this summer!  Here are my two wonderful daughters...spending so much time together was amazing....for the most part LOL
2. What new strategies or approaches do you want to implement in your role this year? I would like to start an admin "Fireside Chat" this upcoming school year for staff to drop in and give feedback or find answers to questions they may have.  This gives admin more of an opportunity to get to know others and build better relationships!
3.  Did you read any books or articles, watch any you tube videos or Tik Toks related to education or self care over the summer that impacted you?  Bonus if you share a link!  I discovered Simon Sinek and "Together is Better"!  https://youtu.be/XNdXQdcO78s

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Hi, I'm Courtney Frank. I live in Fraser, MI with my husband and 2 boys. We had a staycation at home going to lots of parks and splash pads - we also spent a lot of time at the Detroit Zoo! Summer is a time that I use to reconnect with some of my greatest treasures.

My goal this year (and nearly every year) is to have a healthy work/mom/teacher balance. I made a promise to myself to be there for my boys this year. I will be eating dinner with them around the dinner table - listening to the chaos and fun of each day.

I just finished reading Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng. I was captivated and intrigued with the story. I don't usually get a chance to read for enjoyment during the school year - so this was a welcomed change!!

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My husband, our kiddos, and myself at the Big Time Rush concert

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1.I spend most of the summer with these 3. We traveled, went to concerts, swam, and just enjoyed being together.
2. I would like to make sure I am listening to my students needs and doing a better job keeping track that when someone else is handling a situation I follow up.
3. I have watched a lot of videos on different ways to speak to people and I plan on implementing what I learned.

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I'm Laurie Mulsman, 21F & Lab teacher.  I have the best of both worlds in the summer.  I live near the ocean but my mom lives near a lake and I spent a lot of time up there with my family, including relatives from Israel.

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1. I spent the most time this summer with my husband. We got married in July.

2. I'm excited this year to transition to being a Spanish teacher.

3. I did not read a lot of educational books or watch many TED talks this summer, but I did spend a lot of time catching up on Abbott Elementary.

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1.  I spent a lot of time with my husband, my daughter, and two sons traveling to new places and trying new adventures.   It was great!
2.  I would like to build more rapport with my students and their parents.
3.  I read books that motivated me spiritually.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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I spent a lot of time with my family this summer. We went to the county fair, Toledo Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Port Huron, Dearborn's homecoming, Greenfield Village, and camping!

2.  I am going to have a teacher instagram for students to follow.

3. My biggest self care thing I worked on this summer was that it does not have to be a huge thing -- it can be as simple as going to bed early.

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Hi! I’m Marlo Frye, and I live in Fraser, Mi. We had an fun family vacation in Tennessee! We explored mostly Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge!  

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I spent my summer with family and my sorority.

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CLAUDIA FISHER -
I spent the most time with my family this summer....My husband Tony, Madeline (9 years old), and Giovanni (6 years old).

This year I really want to work with my 9th graders on grammar. I plan to introduce D.O.L. into my English weekly Learning Labs.

This summer I read, Reading Magic and Mindset in the Classroom.

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1.) This is my family at Georgia Bible Camp. we spent a lot of time together as family this morning between the kids having different camps.
2.) I want to implement more knowledge-based learning.
3.) I did not read anything education-related that I can recall this summer.

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1. Hi from Northville Michigan, Everyone!  My name is Julie Tuck and I am starting my second year with MVA! I had a great summer with my girls and I am "kinda" ready to get back to work! LOL
2. I am hoping to get more comfortable with using helpful platforms like loom, padlets, smore....things like that.
3. I reading a book called 'Intuitive Eating." It's helping me take a look at my relationship with food and how to listen to my body tell me when to eat and not eat. I'm just getting started in it.

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This summer my husband and I moved to our retirement (for me, semi-retirement) home near Gaylord. We celebrated our 30th anniversary and enjoyed time with our four children and two grandchildren. My heart is full, and I am ready to take on my 30th year of teaching!
My goal for myself this year is to work on building strong relationships with my students.
This summer I reread many of my favorite historical fiction novels...The Alice Network, The Things We Cannot Say, The Rose Code and Pride and Prejudice.

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This summer I reread Atomic Habits and Dare to Lead. I want to keep working on the many, many strategies in these books - particularly the paint done and 1% improvement ideas!

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1) My husband and I are fans of watching WWE (wrestling) hence the billboard and we went to Summerslam when it came to Detroit!
2) I am excited to implement strategies for reaching out to students to help them and realize it is ok to ask for help!

3) I have been reading a book by Jon Gordon to help with team building.

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1.  Share a photo who you spent the most time with this summer: My beautiful daughter, Isabelle!
2. What new strategies or approaches do you want to implement in your role this year? Being more proactive with helping students.
3. Did you read any books or articles, watch any YouTube videos or Tik Toks related to education or self care over the summer the impacted you? Bonus if you share a link: None related to education. I have read more this year than ever before- currently reading book #34 of the year.

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1. My wife Serena at the Chicago Field Museum
2. I really want to try taking a more proactive approach with my team when it comes to not so productive relationships with either parents or students. I think that if we can address those early on it will make the school year more successful.

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Ignore his facial expression, I promise he loves swinging with me LOL

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1. My son Kallum and I at our favorite playground! We went here almost every day this summer. He turns 2 on August 21st!
2. I'm excited to be using OneNote for my team this year. I plan to get a better picture of each of them as individuals, and a clearer idea of what their strengths and weaknesses are (from daily tasks to overall performance in their role) and challenge myself to better support where they need it!
3. Books? Yes. Relating to education? Nope! Lol and for that reason, they were self-care! Although, a parenting book had great tips when working from home, and the "Power of Less!"
•Streamline your home environment. Reduce the general sensory overload.
• Establish simple rhythms, boundaries, and rituals to ease daily tensions.
• Schedule a break in the schedule. Establish intervals of calm and connection in your daily torrent of constant doing.
• Scale back on media. Manage your “screen time” to limit the endless deluge of information and stimulation.

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1. I spent most of my summer with my mom. We like to have mother/daughter trips so this was us in Frankenmuth. We also have been meeting every Friday night to watch the latest episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty.
2. I want to do more team building activities this year. Creating that culture of trust is something I want to improve upon from last year.
3. I went down a rabbit hole of Simon Sinek videos/clips on TikTok and YouTube to gain a better understanding of leadership, fostering relationships, and self-care. He does an excellent job of explaining how all those things are intertwined.

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The Student Union at Oklahoma State University

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1. I stayed at home this summer.
2. I want to focus on supporting my team and helping where I can.
3. I did not read/watch/view any educational items this summer.