UFair

Each year we begin our school year with an Identity Week. We create opportunities for students to get to know one another and dig into their own strengths and passions. We celebrate the end of this time with our Uniqueness Fair. Each student creates a project all about themselves and then we share it with family and friends in a science fair type setting. There are lots of different types of projects. A few from last week were a photo booth with props, different LEGO builds, a giant mixed media poster, and iMovies.

Our staff also creates projects about themselves to help give students some ideas as well as share who we are with each other. Having done this twice before, I wanted to create something completely different and unique.  I decided to perform a spoken word poem about myself. I thought this would be a great kickoff to my blog for this school year. Best wishes to those teachers out there pursuing an awesome school year for you and your students!

In 1982, I was born to Ed and Peggy
Named after my mother
but everybody calls me Maggie
I'm an Irish twin
and my little sister Jen
was always and remains my best friend
My other BFF I married
And still laugh everyday 14 years later
Throughout my school life I strove for A's
Pleasing others without regard for my own self worth
Passing the tests, acing the reports
No true fire for learning
Just collecting my praise and rewards
Motherhood changed all that.
New babies equal new lessons
No grades, just diapers and baby giggles
No GPA, just a lifetime impression on two little people
I wanted to get it right
Writing my own, new story
I embraced a frosty path less traveled by
I like to joke that I'm a nerd through and through, 
but that's less of a joke and more the truth
I love Thor, Cap, really the whole MCU
Harry, Hermione, and Hedwig too
Aragorn, Frodo, Gandalf and Gimli
Simply?
They entertain and inspire
Stories of love, courage, quests and bravery
Propel me along in my own journey
These things challenge the status quo
As I dismantle long held beliefs and traditions
And forge a new path of learning
Constantly at war with my old thoughts and patterns
Winning these small self-fought battles prepares me
As I fight the thoughts and patterns of a society
Steeped in tradition
And looking at me funny
My baby girl looks down with love
As I create a place for other girls to shine
My mom's battle with the big C
Both scary and amazing
She feels strong, each day a gift
Science is the music that helps her dance
Through hard times, I choose grace and gratitude
Reflection is not for the faint of heart
And yet we grow when we look back
We are stronger where we were broken
Choosing the path less traveled
Is a remarkable choice indeed