Tiny Farm Big Heart

My Spotify podcast, OWL STORIES, becomes available February 17th. I'll be telling my own version of a Native American Indian tale that I call,  Little Scarface . Let's see what happens. So, one of the littles was distressed about having to read for 20 minutes a night for homework. When I asked him why this was troubling him, he told me no one was at home to read him stories at night. Before I could say anything, another little suggested he listen to a Podcast because, "it's a parent reading and that should count - right Mrs. Beck?" I absolutely agreed. Then, the little looked me in the eye and asked me if I would read him a story at night - broke my heart - how could I say no? And that's how the kids came up with the idea for me to start a Podcast telling stories. Sounds simple right? Sure - until you learn about copy-write laws. That's where I found the loop hole. There are some books so old, that the copy write law has expired, think A Christmas Carol by...

I had a friend ask, "Why retire early?" My answer is complicated.  So much has changed since the school systems had the brilliant idea of shutting down during COVID. There are older students who have full on tantrums and throw desks while the rest of the 20+ students need to evacuate the classroom. How is that fair?  What about the students believing tic-toc is real and stage recordings to cuss-out or hit a teacher? And believe it or not, parents will say, "Not my child." The same parents fall silent when the video tape reveals their child in action. Parents are shocked and I believe they really are shocked. I don't, for one second, think a parent condones or teaches that behavior - parents are fighting social media too.  And talking about parenting, parents, stop being their friend. They have friends - their own age. A parent is a guide, a coach - the role model their children will follow. A parent is all these things and that's what differentiates them fro...

I just re-read the first post I wrote over a year ago. I still believe in every word I wrote. Retirement is coming this May and I am both nervous and excited. Nervous to close one chapter I know like the back of my hand and excited to begin a new one.  Retirement means making sure I will be able to live within reason and not have to eat cat food. It also means looking for health insurance, redefining my role in the family, and having meaning in my life. Everyone needs a purpose - where will I find mine?  I honestly think opening my tiny farm is the answer. I continue to have chickens and plan to start bees and meat rabbits in the spring. I could write curriculum for homeschool students because my teaching license is active for another few years - so instructing on a small scale is a real possibility (and attractive after years with 20+ littles). This new lease on time will give me the opportunity to rediscover myself. My cortisol levels have been increasing as the teaching yea...

I began to toss an idea around in my head in late 2022. I thought, how can I still be involved with children's learning when I retire? I really love being in the presence of children. When a child invites you into their world, they are opening themselves for you to see who they really are. Ever have a little person ask you, "Do you want to see my room?", that offer is an honor and shouldn't be taken lightly - they are telling you that they trust you. They trust you to see them. They trust you to not ridicule them. They love you. I have an interesting classroom. Early on, in my 20+ year career of elementary school, I learned that the room belongs to them - not me. It was my job to orchestrate learning. Teaching the academics is one thing but what about them as little people?  There are lots of quick lessons out there, single shots, for social development. Some people have even assembled these lessons and deemed them curriculum. What I do,...