GTA MTV 2014

I'm so excited to share that yesterday I received my invitation to participate in this summer's Google Teacher Academy in Mountain View, California -- yes, at THE Googleplex! It is such a thrill and an honor to be one of the fifty chosen educators. I'm really eager to meet, collaborate, and learn from the other innovative participants. Last year, I passed six exams and successfully submitted my application to become a Google Education Trainer (read about it here). Next, I hope to complete the trifecta by applying to become an Apple Distinguished Educator In the meantime, I'm headed back to California this summer for two days of awesome learning and sharing!

If you're interested, here are my applicationl online résumé, and one-minute video (that took 14 hours to create).

Redbud

May 22, 2014 Photo (142/365): "Redbud"

"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!" - Sitting Bull

Dew

May 21, 2014 Photo (141/365): "Dew Drops"

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf." - Rabindranath Tagore

Butterflies

May 20, 2014 Photo (140/365): "Butterfly"

Today I visited the incredible butterfly garden at the Milwaukee Public Museum

I was at the Museum with PHS anatomy classes to see Body Worlds, but they don't allow photography. The over 500 species of butterflies in this tropical atrium are actually much more photogenic anyway.

The electric blue morpho was my favorite.

It was so much fun hear the children squeal with delight (or fright)... 

as butterflies alit upon their heads...

and perched on their outstretched fingers!

Children and adults exercised extreme care...

so as not to injure the butterflies' fragile wings.

"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which,  if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Landscaping

May 18, 2014 Photo (138/365): "Landscaping"

“All gardening is landscape painting." - William Kent

We spent the day sprucing up the yard: mowing, weeding, digging around trees, and planting new flowers. I especially love this corkscrew rush -- an unexpected twist among our annual African daisies. Tomorrow, we'll finish off with five yards of mulch. Don't worry, there'll be lots of pictures ;)