EDU 586 -- Family Tree -- Fall II 2020 by Dr. Sandra Mercier https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo Please click on the plus sign (or double-click anywhere) to post a sticky note about your family, interests, or current class of students. Be sure to title it with your NAME and add a photo! :) en-us 2020-11-09 18:05:13 UTC 2023-02-05 22:04:45 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Xmastree.png Prof. Sandra Mercier sandrakmercier https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/745547410 As an Orange County, CA native, I am in love with our beautiful weather and beaches. I feel super blessed to serve CUI (I am a proud alumnus) as an online instructor and Ed Tech program director. I also enjoy being outdoors with my three children and husband as much as possible. We love going to the beach, hiking, biking, and camping together. Each summer we try to visit at least one or two national parks. We had planned to explore the Redwoods in Northern California this past July, yet due to COVID, the campgrounds were closed. Yet, my kids got to see real glaciers and black bears in Montana last summer (July 2019). Such an amazing place!]]> 2020-09-14 19:17:02 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/745547410 Bianca Gutierrez bgutierrezislas https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/905637999 I love to travel whenever I get a chance. I am very sad that COVID is still going on because I have not been able to go anywhere! However, I am grateful for all the places I've been to so far. I mostly take road trips since I'm not rich (yet!). The best places I've had the opportunity to visit have been Zion National Park in Utah, the Redwoods in northern California, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. ]]> 2020-11-09 18:57:56 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/905637999 Kourtney Hayhurst khayhurst1 https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/905662525 I grew up in Southern California and went to college on the Central Coast at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where I studied Biology and spent four of the best years of my life! I definitely took advantage of the beautiful beaches and hikes around the school when I wasn't in class learning or studying. Just recently, I made the move to Pensacola, Florida with my boyfriend who is training to be a Fighter Pilot in the Navy. Luckily, I was able to nail my first teaching job only 10 minutes from his base, so it worked out great! However, despite the beautiful white sand beaches, we aren't necessarily sold on this town, and we're excited for our next stop! I am very close with my family, as is he with his, so we are hoping to be a little closer to home in California next time! In the meantime, I'm enjoying my time here and making the best of our situation. ]]> 2020-11-09 19:02:46 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/905662525 Pen Vee Piscoso penveepiscoso https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/906029766 I am in my 4th year as a middle school (gr 6-8) Special Education teacher for students with moderate to severe disabilities in Washington USD, West Sacramento.
I try to travel once or twice a year to visit new places or go back to places that interest me. I may not have the best physique, but I try to be physically active like a quick jog or run and vanilla hiking since eating is my passion, so I need to reward myself by doing these physical activities. 
]]> 2020-11-09 20:25:38 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/906029766 Genevieve Hudelson https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/906061951 My family and I live in beautiful Moscow, Idaho! We spend a lot of our spare time enjoying our wild rivers and mountains. We can often be found outside during all seasons either camping, fly fishing, boating and skiing. In a pre-COVID world, we would travel back east twice a year to visit my family outside of D.C. during Christmas and going to the beach in the summer. Right now, I am in my fourth year of teaching. I have a group of 14 first grade students fully online. My biggest goal for them right now has been creating community and giving them a voice. One of the benefits of having online students at the moment is I can see their smiling faces through our Zoom meetings instead of behind a mask :)]]> 2020-11-09 20:34:47 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/906061951 Jennifer Black blackj28 https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/910973723 While I do love to travel and hike, between COVID-19 and my busy days of teaching and learning, I don't have much space for either one in my schedule right now though I am planning on some local hiking over the Thanksgiving Break. However, one interest that COVID-19 has not spoiled at all is my love of reading. I enjoy reading with two different book clubs and I also like to try to keep up with young adult literature so I can recommend great new books to my high school students for independent reading. One book group recently read Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, which was terrific, and I am currently enjoying a young adult sci-fi novel called Mirage by Somaiya Daud. I've included a picture of myself, husband, and son from summer 2019 (when we could travel) standing on a bridge in Lima, Peru.]]> 2020-11-10 23:47:14 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/910973723 Gricelda Tapia griceldatapia https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/911519906 Every year during winter break, I pack my bags and head to my family's vacation home in Michoacán, Mexico. Visiting our small rural town and spending time with my grandmother and other relatives is what inspires me to go back every year. During my three weeks there, I get to enjoy the traditional Mexican dishes my aunts bring over when they visit. Due to COVID-19, I will not be taking my annual winter break trip this year. This was a difficult decision to make, but I want to take care of myself and my loved ones, especially my 90-year-old grandmother. I have included a picture of myself with my beloved San Pedro Tacaro in the background.]]> 2020-11-11 05:04:45 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/911519906 Maggie Shields maggieshields1 https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/913973970 I grew up in a small town in Northern California. I went to Chico State University for my bachelors degree as well as my teaching credential. I am on my second year of teaching 5th grade - which I love! I have 23 students in my class and this is our first week face to face! It's been a wild few days. My biggest interest is traveling! I've been to 18 states and 9 different countries so far. Like many others, COVID put a damper on my travel plans. However, my boyfriend and I were able to spend many weekends on his houseboat at Lake Shasta, and make a few weekend trips to Lake Tahoe and Fort Bragg, CA. I look forward to taking a big trip (we are thinking a cruise) when things start getting back to normal.]]> 2020-11-11 19:06:48 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/913973970 Lisa Lee lisalee11 https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/914180561 Growing up in the South Bay, I spend a lot of my free time hiking and trying out new restaurants. Although COVID changed a lot of things in my life i.e., wedding plans, travel trips, and seeing friends frequently, I am still able to enjoy the things I love. I am currently in my 5th year teaching Chemistry. To much to my own surprise I have enjoyed the change to distance learning. Although there have been issues adapting to different software and programs, I've found the resources provided to me to be very useful and easy to use. Modern technology made it easy for me to make the switch from in-classroom teaching to distance learning. ]]> 2020-11-11 20:12:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/914180561 Jenifer Alghini https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/914657550 2020-11-12 00:21:00 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/914657550 Amber Schultz aschultz57 https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/914675758   I grew up in southern California, in the city. Now, I live on a 500-acre cattle ranch in the country (still in California though). It snows. We have mice. My house constantly has dirt on the floor. I am never, ever bored, because there is always something to do, either outside or inside. Something is almost always broken around here. My three kids have only lived in this house (it is over 150 years old), and don't know much about sidewalks or cul-de-sacs (my 12-year-old didn't know what a gutter was!). I never thought I'd be in a place like this, but it has been a great place to raise my family. 

]]> 2020-11-12 00:31:21 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/914675758 Claudia Medrano claudiamedrano1 https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/915217865 Family time is the best time! I was born and raised in Ventura County, but I am a proud Mexican American. Growing up I was always surrounded by family, whether it was during a holiday, a birthday party or a simple carne asada on the weekends. Now that my cousins and I are all grown up, some with families of their own, most holidays are spent with only our immediate families except for Christmas. Every year my family and I host Christmas Eve. We make traditional Mexican food and follow our religious traditions. We  eat, talk, sing and do a lot of laughing. The little ones get their presents and the adults do a gift exchange. It is always a great time. Because of COVID this year, Christmas Eve will look a little different. Looking forward to next year when we can hopefully gather again. 


]]> 2020-11-12 05:55:08 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/915217865 Michelle Corrales https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/919378812 I grew up in Ventura County, CA and didn't travel too much as a kid. My parents were separated and teen parents, so it wasn't always within their budget to go to many places. I enjoyed my childhood, but now I am excited to have my little family to take all over the world! My little family enjoys traveling and going to new places! For the past few years, we have been trying to visit a new National Park every year. So far we've visited Yosemite NP, Sequoia NP, Kings Canyon NP, Channel Islands NP and our most recent trip, Joshua Tree NP! It was absolutely amazing! My daughter is 11 years old, and my son is 15 months old, so she is old enough to experience these moments with us, and our little guy just keeps us on our toes! Our road trips are always so fun and we cannot wait to visit a National Park in another state! The plan is to visit Zion next! Fingers crossed we'll be able to go soon. Even with COVID, we are grateful that the outdoor experiences we enjoy are still open. We are making the best of it and adding to our bucket list! ]]> 2020-11-13 06:24:58 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/919378812 Brittany Rush FlagshipEQ https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/923816575 I am a southern girl born and bred! I miss Georgia so much and even more when I examine the cost of living in California. I am most happy with my husband and our two daughters. They are my reason and give me so much purpose and fulfillment. We are looking forward to traveling again and seeing our extended family without restrictions. ]]> 2020-11-15 06:36:51 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/923816575 Matthew Johnson mjohnson1183 https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/924955934 I was born and raised in beautiful Southern California.  I grew up in the same community where I teach now.  I consider myself to be blessed and highly favored to have the opportunity to give back to a place that shaped me.  I absolutely love my job and the people I work with.  I've said it before, but I'll say it again- when people ask me what I do for a living I'll joke that I hang out with my friends all day.  I am married to an amazing woman that I met at in college.  We have three beautiful children that bring so much joy to our lives.  My wife is  an incredible mother, and a great partner.  We enjoy getting out of the house and going to the beach, hiking, and working outside.  My in-laws live on an orchard in the central valley so we will go visit and plant, clear trees, till soil, and enjoy the fruits (and veggies), or our labor.  For Halloween we actually were able to grow a 170lb pumpkin!  Currently, despite my opposition, we are currently decorating for Christmas and the kids couldn't be more excited!  This season in my life has taught me that I am so fortunate to have enough.  God has been faithful and pours his blessings down on me and I will continue to give him all the glory.  ]]> 2020-11-15 18:57:13 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/924955934 Joan Patricia King joanking https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/925604259 I was born in Istanbul, Turkey and was raised in the United State for most of my life. I am married to a wonderful man and we have two beautiful daughters. I love my job and even when it gets hectic and I am ready to pull my hair out, I realize how lucky I am to have a wonderful classroom of great students. Both my husband and I are in the CALGUARD and we love to go boating, take walks on the beach and go traveling. We both like to keep busy and not stay too idle for long.  This year is an exception....we have been too busy and are ready for a vacation.]]> 2020-11-16 03:06:57 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/925604259 Veronica Manzo veronicamanzo https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/925956915 I enjoy being outdoors, spending time with family and friends! I currently live in beautiful So- Cal surrounded by beautiful weather and ocean waters! I come from a large Mexican- American family that loves to spend as much time together as possible. My boyfriend and I are busy taking care of our one year old dog Chino, we enjoy doing things together with him! I love trying out different cuisines and sight- seeing. Teaching is my passion and even in these crazy times I would not see myself doing anything else! ]]> 2020-11-16 06:36:39 UTC https://padlet.com/sandrakmercier/aljnf4iyykr52dxo/wish/925956915