November 2016

Joy can only be real if people look upon their life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.

– Leo Tolstoy

November 1, Tuesday – Wednesday – Fritz Elementary, Conestoga Valley SD. Grade 6 Language Arts with very well organized with focused students. This was one of the best classes to date!

November 2, Wednesday – Warwick HS Technology Education! Great class with electronic kits, rockets and more!

November 3, Thursday – Elite Coach trip to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with a High School.

November 4, Friday – Denver Elementary Grade 5. A super group of students and a supportive faculty!

November 5, Saturday – Elite Coach trip to a band competition in West Virginia. I went on a little hike. Here’s the link. I only recorded one way.

http://www.mapmywalk.com/view_workout?w=1851475955

November 6, Sunday – Elite Coach trip to a band competition in West Virginia.

November 7, Monday – Brownstown Elementary Grade 5

November 8, Tuesday -Brownstown Elementary Grade 5.  Election Day

November 9, Wednesday – Conrad Weiser MS Grade . The entire 6th grade is using a hybrid model where each class has three rotations in a 50 minute period. These groups are Directed -the teacher works with a small group of students, Independent – students work on assignment from Schoology, Collaborative – students work together on a worksheet or other task.

November 10, Thursday – Cocalico MS Learning Support.

November 11, Friday – Elite Coach with Millersville University traveling to Gannon University in Erie, PA.

November 12, Saturday -Elite Coach with Millersville University traveling to Gannon University in Erie, PA.

November 13, Sunday – Elite Coach to Lincoln Financial Center Philadelphia, PA

November 14, Monday – McCaskey East ESL classroom. I am learning so much from experienced teachers in ESL! I taught level 1 students using picture books and simple words!

November 15, Tuesday – Marsh Creek Grade 6 Center Downingtown, PA. I taught in a “crazy” classroom! Students could tear apart machines, weed trimmers and old printers as part of their “busy block”. In a single period, for 24 minutes, students would write, discuss literature or listen while stories are read aloud. The remaining 24 minutes are “busy block” and during this time students work on projects, produce advertisements and tear apart equipment. Here are some pictures of the classroom and some resources.

November 16, Wednesday – Farm night with grade 3 – 5 boys from Church. Hayride, campfire and games at the farm. Conestoga Valley MS Science class.

November 17, Thursday – Elite Coach, Cocalico MS to Washington, DC. Great trip with 125 MS students in 3 coaches. We avoided all accidents, traffic back-ups and delays.

November 18, Friday – Elite Coach – wedding shuttle in Hershey, PA.

November 19, Saturday – Hiking the AT! 

November 20, Sunday – Elite Coach to New York City!  Allen and Linda were excellent guides!

November 21, Monday – Manor Middle School Tech Ed. Great students and subject area – manufacturing!

November 22, Tuesday – Fulton Street School in Ephrata, PA!

November 23, Wednesday – Dentist visit, Flu shot and spending time with Uriah who is home from EMU.

November 24, Thursday – Thanksgiving Day and black Friday shuttle at Tanger outlet. This is the new 30 passenger Temsa Coach. It is made in Turkey and drives like a European coach.

November 25, Friday – Black Friday exploration, firewood collection.

November 26, Saturday – Hess Family gathering at the Journey House.

 This is family.

November 27, Sunday – Elite Coach LVC to York College

November 28, Monday – Learning Support at Landis Run Intermediate – Manheim Township.

November 29, Tuesday – Cocalico School District Sub. Adamstown El.

November 30, Wednesday – Cocalico School District Sub. Denver El.

November Books 

Detailed story of a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English for two years in Fuling, China in 1997. More China books here – http://jennavandenberg.com/china-books/

 

Trying to make sense of this election and this has helped me understand the differences in the thinking of our population.

 

Time travellers experience WWII London.

 

A novel with Leadville, CO as the center of activity.

 

October 2016

My favorite month. “Let joy kill you and don’t let the little things get in the way!”

 

October 1 – F & M football team to Dickinson College where they won!

October 2 – Lebanon Valley College football to Susquehanna University .

October 3 – Reynolds MS grade 6 and a visit to McDaniel College in Maryland.

October 4 – Reynolds MS Math and Science.

October 5 – Swatara MS Grade 8 Social Studies.

October 6 – Visit to Cabrini College with men’s tennis from Penn State.

October 7 – Storytelling Festival in Tennessee.  http://www.storytellingcenter.net/events/national-storytelling-festival/

October 8 – Storytelling Festival in Tennessee.  http://www.storytellingcenter.net/events/national-storytelling-festival/

October 9 – Storytelling Festival in Tennessee.  http://www.storytellingcenter.net/events/national-storytelling-festival/

October 10 – Elite Coach move visiting government Officials from Nigeria from Philadelphia to Harrisburg.

October 11 – Fulton Elementary Grade 5 SS and Science.

October 12 – Penn State Harrisburg soccer team to Wesley College in Dover DE.

October 13 – Burrows Elementary ESL. Great preparation for China! I purchased a 2006 Toyota Sienna, a newer and more efficient vehicle! Room for 7 people with a 3.3 Liter engine with potential hgwy fuel mileage of 27 mpg.

October 14 – Nitrauer Elementary Grade 4 Math. I drove a choir from Philadelphia to Brooklyn NY for singing and sermon this evening!  Powerful sermon from Psalms 133. Unity among Christians and how our human relationships are a reflection of our God relationship!

October 15 – Saturday. Relaxed at home and mowed the grass.

October 16 – Sunday. Enjoyed the sermon at Neffsville Mennonite – Known by God, Psalms 139. Hiking in the afternoon on the Horseshoe Trail to Eagle Rock.  Visited parents at Landis Homes.

October 17 – Swatara MS with an ESL class. This is more preparation for China.

October 18 – I received confirmation from China! Chengdu bound next year! Chengdu is in the central/western part of China on the plains but with the mountains rising to the west.

October 19 – Traveling with a group of 200 middle schoolers to Washington DC.

October 20 – Traveling with a group of 200 middle schoolers to Washington DC.

October 21 – Traveling with a group of 200 middle schoolers to Washington DC. Travelling in a 45 foot long coach teaches location, distance and direction. I know DC from a different angle.

October 22 – Recovery day.

October 23 – NMC worship leader. Enjoyed time with family this afternoon.

October 24 – Wheatland MS Math. Nice school, staff and administration.

October 25 – Wheatland MS Social Studies. Nice school, staff and administration. After a tough but rewarding day, I heard this article on NPR – NPR Teachers call it quits . How do teachers remain healthy and strong in tough situations?  Two weeks away from this historic election and here’s an interesting simulation. 270 to win simulation

October 26 – Penn Manor MS – Social Studies.  NMC –  Wednesday Night Out

October 27 – Calvary Christian Academy field trip from Philadelphia to Gettysburg National Battlefield. A reminder once again of the great loss of life and property at Gettysburg.

October 28 – Lincoln MS Social Studies. Visited Petra Christian Fellowship and their Fall Festival (aka:Halloween alternative) There I met two former students who are perfecting their juggling routines! They have a routine based on the prodigal son told through juggling! dkers.net

October 29 – Penn State Berks Basketball to Penn State Schuylkill.

October 30 – NMC

October 31 – Hand MS art class – A challenging day. I need a classroom management plan to address extreme days like this one.

 

October Reads

The true story of people and drug addiction in small town America. Focus on Ohio and surrounding area. Written by a journalist who asks important questions about supply, gateway drugs and law enforcement.

 

A novel about a Nigerian in America.

Attempting to provide good food for a modern culture. I would love to do this!

The amazing organization at Google allowing individuals to think for themselves!

A fun novel about time travel.

Mr. Johnston has been following Trump for decades. Now he tells the story filled with illegal business deals, cheating and mob connections. If only 10% of this is true, it would disqualify Trump from the presidency and put him in jail.

 

September 2016

September is a month to build up from the inside out. I will seek experiences of learning, encourage others and cultivate the inner life.

September 1 – MS Social Studies Conrad Weiser MS. Incredible school. MS FFA is active and many opportunities to get involved in sports and drama.
September 2 – Swatara MS Language Arts. Well disciplined students and super building.
September 3 – Mowed grass, visited Philadelphia, ate in Chinatown and toured the Mormon temple.

September 4 – Elite Coach trip. Enjoyable cultural experience with foreign language, families and music.

September 5 – Taught a student to mow the grass, cultural experience in New Holland with a bluegrass band.
September 6 – Cocalico SD, Denver, PA. Nice and focused 4th grade class.
September 7 – Downingtown SD, Uwchlan Hills El. Nice building and community!
September 8 – Downingtown SD, East Ward El. Nice class and plenty of push in help.
September 9 – SDoL – Lincoln MS. ESL classroom! Loved it. Picked up group in New Jersey in evening.
September 10 – Helping Boyuan get his driving permit. Mowed grass and taught Boyuan to mow grass! I found this nice diagram helpful.   
September 11 – Picked up church group at Harvey Cedars. A large youth gathering!
September 12 – Long day with a group of 70 – 80 year olds!
September 13 – A visit to the Volvo Construction equipment plant in Shippensburg, PA.
September 14 – Transported a group of college students to State College for a career fair.
September 15 – Substituted at Lincoln Middle School in a 7th grade Social Studies class. Discovered some really motivated students.
September 16 – Field trip with 10th graders to Baltimore Museum of Industry.
September 17 – 5K race at Oregon Dairy! Yes, I ran the whole thing!
September 18 – Work out at Universal and bike ride through the countryside! Attended Neffsville Mennonite Church.
September 19 – Central Dauphin SD at Swatara Middle School. ( I did data entry all day. Standardized testing requires diligent caretakers)
September 20 – Denver Elementary grade 4. They remembered me from two weeks ago. I really feel appreciated when the kids remember me and rush up to me to hug me!
September 21 – SDoL Mc East ESL class. I am learning to teach English Language as they learn to speak.
September 22 – Equinox hike Pine Grove Furnace SP. I sat on this mountain top for a long time.

September 23 – Philadelphia Elite Coach move through the city. It was a busy Friday night in the business section of the city.
September 24 – Visit to Sandy and John in Bucks county – Fern Rock Retreat. Kind and honest advisors with wisdom and vision. In one hour they listened and reflected wisdom.

September 25 – Neffsville Mennonite Church in the morning and hiking in the afternoon. We swam in the lake after swimming.
September 26 – Ephrata Area School District grade 6. It was a strange experience to be teaching in the same building where I had been a student. Nice and helpful staff and reliable schedule. http://eis.easdpa.org/pages/Ephrata_Intermediate_School
September 27 – STEM Downingtown http://www.dasd.org/STEM . High School classes with students monitoring their own progress using Schoolology – https://www.schoology.com/.
September 28 – Carter & MacRae Elementary Grade 5. Dedicated Faculty and staff! Supportive administration and good community relations.
September 29 – Field trip to Graterford Correctional Center with students from Penn State.
September 30 – Donegal MS with Grade 8 Social Studies. Fine students and a helpful secretary!

Books during September

                       

Detailed description of this disaster.     The mighty earthworm and scientific purposes!

 

                                                 

Stories of people who suffered  from psychosis.        Escape from North  Korea.

                                                

Circus life! Now I should see the movie!?        Story of a Native American changing schools.

August 2016

Use life before the expiration date! This is my version of a longer quote which is here –   Ideas have a short shelf life. You must act on them before the expiration date.  John C. Maxwell

I’m trying to do something worthwhile each day in August. Ok, well, something helpful, productive or making a living. Here is my list.

August 1 – Passed my school bus renewal driving test.

August 2 – Took Twila out to eat for her birthday. Trimmed bushes and cleaned up brush.

August 3 – Supported missionary by attending and paying for Pork bbq. Drove coach bus to Philadelphia airport.

August 4 – Mowed the lawn.

August 5 – Drove Peru medical mission team to Newark airport. Hiked on the Delaware river tow path.

August 6 – Drove a group to NYC. Rode bike with Twila around the bike path.

August 7 – Taught grades 2 – 5 Sunday School class. (Lydia and her household) Celebrated Jim S. birthday.

August 8 – Mowed lawn around new structures and ponds. Interviewed at Substitute teacher Service. Final paperwork (Act 128) should be complete in 10 days.

August 9 – Meeting at Landis Homes to make decisions for my aging parents. Mowed the lawn and knocked down the weeds on newly seeded areas.

August 10 – Elite Coach. Trip to Philadelphia and Longwood Gardens. Nice tour but hot weather.  

August 11 – Plan, read and email! Visit with relatives – these 85, 89 and 93 year old relatives continue to live active lives. They speak about the health challenges of younger people but make no mention of any issues they might face!

August 12 – Elite Coach trip to Philadelphia, PA.

August 13 – Mow the lawns, pack and last minute prep.

August 14 – 20  – Family trip to Iceland!

August 21 – Pick up Peru team in Newark Airport.

August 22 – Mow the lawns and farm work.

August  23 – Substitute at Rowland School in Harrisburg. Challenging urban school!

August 24 – Substitute at Scott Elementary. Kindergarten!!

August 25 – Elite Coach trip.

August 26 – Mow lawns, prepare for massive family cookout.

August 27 – Church Safe training at NMC.

August 28 – Drive Hannah to Pittsburg for PULSE.

August 29 – Visit Bruderhof in Farmington, PA. 

August 30 – Health and PE substitute at Buchanan Elementary in Lancaster. Great School!

August 31 – New York City training day with Elite.

Books read in August.

 

                            

New Zealand setting during WW1.               Mother Teresa interviews for BBC.

                             

History – struggle for power in China.      The story of Chicago’s World’s Fair with a side                                                                                        story of a murderer!

 

Fantastic story of the largest online business.

July 2016

Driving students from Hershey Park to a camp in New Jersey. Happy to deliver almost 50 students and counselors back to waiting parents at the camp.

 

I am trying to hike the Appalachian Trail one section at a time. I guess everyone does this but I am hiking when I have a day or two. On Tuesday, July 26, I completed another 11 miles with the help of three good hikers from my church. We packed a lunch, used bug spray and set out across a farmers field. Within a mile we entered the woods and hiked the remainder of the hike in the shade. Our final destination was Duncannon, PA where we discovered a little ice cream shop called 3B.

 

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

The story of the great migration of African Americans from the south to the north and west during the Jim Crow era. I believe every northerner should read this book to better understand all of the cultures surrounding us. I could not stop – it kept my interest throughout. This NY Times review says it all. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/books/review/Oshinsky-t.html

 

Created to Praise (C2P) is the name of our Church camp July 18 – 22. (Neffsville Mennonite) I have been involved 11 of the past 12 years. This year I taught Flower Box building, Concrete Creations and Hiking. It was a great week with 102 students and classes ranging from Celtic Dance, Hand Bells, Drama and Cooking!

 

The Amish are an interesting group. Each time I encounter one of the Amish, I am impressed with their practical lifestyle, well rooted faith and awareness and appreciation of community. Most things I do not appreciate about the Amish are the corrupting  influences from the “English” folks. I drove a group from Lancaster to a farm near State College. The group of 52 young people were ages 20 – 30. I enjoyed hearing them sing on the ride home.

June 2016

Trinity Episcopal Church in Williamsport, PA. http://trinity-williamsport.diocpa.org  Attended services Sunday morning June 26. The speaker was Dr. Beers representing Food for the Poor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a map of places I’ve driven in June. It’s complicated to get a 45 foot coach into places designed for small cars.

 

 

 

June 16 – 20, 2016 – Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster (chaperone). I travelled to Ontario, Canada with MCCL on their 5 day tour. My role was photography, games and blog as well as a chaperone/small group leader. Here are a few of the pictures from tour.

 

This is the 45 foot long coach I drive! It’s like driving a cereal box with a big diesel engine.

Request for a year long sabbatical granted!

This is a record of my 13 month sabbatical experience. I hope to try new things, perfect old things and enjoy the things I experience.

“We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer