Kathy Van Wert

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

Horace May second graders listen intently to a BSU professor explain the features of a newly installed weather station!

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

It’s all about Gingerbread houses at Horace May kindergarten today!!

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

Horace May recognized our veterans today at an assembly. Quilts of Valor gifted two special veterans.

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

Two Horace May third graders just read their first book to me!! Great teamwork! Great story! I’m a proud principal!

[Troy Mooney @TroyMooney]

Why are longtime conservative educators like me (lifelong R voter who voted for Abbott), posting and sharing this video?

Here is why:

Last Fall @GovAbbott recognized the statewide shortage of teachers, calling a special commission to address the issue. He was focused on public ed. But then, at some point he became fixated on vouchers and launched his Private school only tour where he began denouncing public ed calling us “Educrats” and indoctrinators.

His actions were then echoed by many in #txlege who began affirming their west texas donors. They started clout chasing voucher lobbyists (with photo ops, using their catchphrases) and blasting public school supporters as Anti Family and Anti-Freedom.

Then came the actual voucher bills in March.

The bills did not (and do not) actually guarantee any choice for parents. That could be remedied, but instead they created a choice only for the schools.

Further they exempted private schools from all the accountability and other compliance mandates which were being used to criticize schools.

“PubEd test scores are bad”—but voucher bills removed state testing requirements

“PubEd schools have too many admin”-but voucher bills exempted all the compliance, reporting, and mandates that require more admin etc.

Then there were the actual bill hearings where many #txlege used their time to fawn over lobbyists while blasting actual fellow conservative public school leaders

The icing was the recent public admission that the Governor is dangling any raise for teachers as a “carrot” for getting vouchers passed.

So here we are. Me, a long time R voter with Public, Private, and Charter service now finding alignment with the remaining pro public ed republicans and also leading Democrats, but largely abandoned by the state leadership.

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

Our Horace May third graders presented ways to mend mistakes to our students! Fantastic job, Huskies!

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

Bus safety day at Horace May! Our bus drivers did a great job of explaining how to stay safe near and on our buses!! Thank you!

[CALL TO ACTIVISM @CalltoActivism]

“Today, the man wearing red got on the subway, he opened his folder and started reading. 🧐

A few stops later a man got on and asked him “what are you studying for? You look confused, maybe I can help?”

He said my son just failed a math test, and I am re-studying fractions so I can teach him. I am 42 years old and I don’t remember any of this, so I am reteaching myself.

The guy in the black informed him that he use to be a math teacher, and would help quiz him.

Everything the man in the red got wrong, it was broken down and corrected for him.

By the end of the train ride, the man had a better understanding.

He had a new method to come home with to teach his son.

It’s the little things like this that I love seeing, because most people could care less about what the person next to them is going through.

❤️❤️❤️”

[Dr. Bryan Pearlman #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal]

There are no pill, band-aids or magic wants that can fix childhood trauma…
#maslowbeforebloom
#trauma
#traumainformed
@NASSP @NAESP @ASCAtweets @AASAHQ @TheSSWAA @DrBurkeHarris @BDPerry @HeatherTForbes @besselvander

[CALL TO ACTIVISM @CalltoActivism]

”The famous Italian diver Enzo Maiorca dove into the sea of ​​Syracuse and was talking to his daughter Rossana who was aboard the boat. Ready to go in, he felt something slightly hit his back.

He turned and saw a dolphin. Then he realized that the dolphin did not want to play but to express something. The animal dove and Enzo followed.

At a depth of about 12 meters, trapped in an abandoned net, there was another dolphin. Enzo quickly asked his daughter to grab the diving knives.

Soon, the two of them managed to free the dolphin, which, at the end of the ordeal, emerged, issued an "almost human cry" (describes Enzo). (A dolphin can stay under water for up to 10 minutes, then it drowns.)

The released dolphin was helped to the surface by Enzo, Rosana and the other dolphin. That’s when the surprise came: she was pregnant!

The male circled them, and then stopped in front of Enzo, touched his cheek (like a kiss), in a gesture of gratitude and then they both swam off.

Enzo Maiorca ended his speech by saying: “Until man learns to respect and speak to the animal world, he can never know his true role on Earth.”

[Emily Hanford @ehanford]

There’s a new video - for kids - on learning to read and why it’s hard for many people. It’s from ⁦@Brains_On⁩. Good summer watching! Share with the children in your life. https://t.co/xUTLT8Lbdg

[Kevin W. @Brink_Thinker]

Living with cancer absolutely sucks but there are people willing to support you 💕

[Vala Afshar @ValaAfshar]

This is humanity at its best — kind man reminds his customer that her fight with cancer is not a solo battle

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

Learning Kindergarten Style!

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

Eli is one of Horace May’s Students of the Week! His teacher says Eli is kind, friendly and helps everyone! Thanks for being a Helpful Husky, Eli!

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

We’re celebrating Dr Seuss’ birthday today with cupcakes from Raphael’s courtesy of our wonderful Horace May PTO!!

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

We had a Mystery Reader read a terrific Dr Seuss book this morning!! Thank you Mr Reierson for being our Mystery Reader!

[Kathy Van Wert @KathyVanWert]

Our Hippocampe chairs have finally arrived! We’re ready when the trails are ready!

[TeacherGoals @teachergoals]

Kindness counts. 🧡

[Monte Syrie @MonteSyrie]

“No way to help.” 🙁

A note I exchanged with one of my kiddos.

Still getting to know him (new semester).

I’ve gotten him to share during Community Circle. Thought maybe today I could ride that but to no avail.

Try again tomorrow.