#MAGA

I'm excited to give Trump and his team a chance. They're not perfect, I know, but our future seems exciting with them at the helm. Yes, he has set many lofty goals, but if he can accomplish a quarter of them, our nation will be in much better shape than it is at the moment. That's what I'm praying for. 

The working class of America has struggled too long, and we need a leader who has our best interests in mind while governing because we've been neglected for too long, and we are the backbone of this great nation. I believe that's what we are going to get with this president. 

If Hollywood, the media, the politicians who work only for their own interests, the criminals who are called "protesters", and the bitter liberals will stop spewing their lies and hatred for a while, they, too, may be impressed with where our country is headed: back to being the shining city on the hill! 

The #2016Election - It's Been a Tough One For Many

I will let my tweets speak for me:

https://twitter.com/mrsamychaney

The Dash

from my post in May 2012:

Last night while watching "The Middle" I was struck by a profound statement made by one of the characters, Mike. He was speaking to a group after his brother's wedding about family. He mentioned that on our tombstones, we will all have a birth date listed below our names.What was so striking though is that he said it is the dash that comes after that birth date and before the second date (death) that means so much. 

The dash represents life and what we do with it...

Today:

My students and I are studying Thomas Gray's "An Elegy in a Country Churchyard." Upon first glance, it seems like a morbid poem, yet, once you read the masterpiece and dig down to its roots, you will see that the poem gives the reader some great advice: Live the life that you want others to remember you by. In an effort to encourage my students, who think they are invincible, to think about the legacy they will want to leave behind when their times come, I had them write their own epitaphs. At first, they, understandably, thought that I had lost my mind! Once I explained to them that writing your epitaph is an excellent way to plan your future, they got on board. I have seen them create some amazing epitaphs - some were clever, others hilarious, and several were tear-jerkers. This exercise helps me remember what kind of life I need to live today so that I know I will be able to leave the legacy that I desire tomorrow.

Small Acorns

"From small acorns mighty oaks grow." 

My 2017 seniors have not quite caught on yet as to why I call them Mighty Oaks. They will, though! Two days ago, one of my 2016 Mighty Oaks stopped by to visit. Isaiah told me that he had just returned from basic training - oh, how proud I am of him and how grateful I am for his service to our country. Isaiah is looking forward to the next journey in his life which will take him to Kuwait. In two weeks, he will be joining his father, who is also a marine, at Camp Hellraiser. When I asked him about his mother and how she is handling all of these changes, he told me the following: "When I left for basic training, I gave my mom the acorn that you gave me last school year. Interestingly, my acorn had a hole in it. While I was away, my mom planted that acorn. It is now growing! Mom calls it her Miracle Tree." After I shed a few tears, heard some some of his stories, admired Isaiah's marine ring, and hugged my mighty oak before seeing him off, I was humbled thinking about how lucky I am to be a teacher. #mightyoaks

Mythology in the Halls

My students have been studying mythology. They were charged with the task of creating body biographies for their assigned mythological characters. Here is a small sampling of the amazing work they did! I am proud of my #mightyoaks.

Late Friday Afternoon Thoughts When The Halls Are Quiet

This is my philosophy. I hope that I am getting it right...

#17yearsexperience #Still Learning

9/11 Memorial Lesson: Additional Footage

If you are interested in learning more about the 9/11 tragedy, here are some links to get you started. These links include graphic material and language, so caution is urged.

Inside the Twin Towers

"Inside 9/11"

9/11 Phone Calls

"United 93" Hijacking Scene

What Happened to the Missing?

National Geographic: The Secret History of 9/11

Scenes from 9/11

9/11 Timeline

The Man Who Predicted 9/11

Ground Zero
Remembering the Jumpers

 #NeverForget