Honneur

April 28, 2015 {118/365}

« L'homme qui sait deux langues en vaut deux. »

Last night, I was honored to be invited to the Société Honoraire de Français induction ceremony.  I established the Pewaukee High School charter several years ago and am so pleased that « Mademoiselle » (PSD Prof 3.0) decided to continue the tradition. Most of the students who were recognized last night are former students of mine. It was lovely to spend the evening with them and their parents and to have an opportunity to parler français!  Voici mon petit discours:

« Bonsoir tout le monde!  D’abord, je voudrais vous remercier tous de m’avoir invitée à ce grand événement. Je suis si fière de vos accomplissements et très contente que vous ayez choisi de continuer vos études en français. Je vous connais depuis longtemps, depuis que vous étiez au collège -- enfin pour la plupart ça fait six ans! Même que je ne suis plus votre prof de français et que vous n’êtes plus dans ma salle de classes, vous restez toujours dans mon coeur. J’espère que vous continuerez à parler français et à apprécier cette belle culture. Félicitations, mes chers étudiants! »

PS: I also have big news: Next year I will be teaching a blended-model French 4/5 class. I'm so excited to work with these great students again and to explore the challenge of creating a model to personalize their learning. 

Madame est de retour!

Life & Death

April 27, 2015 {117/365} "Life & Death"

"The tomb of a hero is in the hearts of the living" | « Le tombeau des héros est le cœur des vivants » - André Malraux

These words are incised on a wall of the marketplace in Rouen, France where St. Joan of Arc was burned, as well as on this stone outside of the 15th century chapel at Marquette that bears her name.

Today, I accompanied the Pewaukee High School Medical Terminology and AP Biology classes to the gross anatomy lab at Marquette. I had mixed emotions about the field trip. On one hand, I am always eager to visit my alma mater, yet I was apprehensive about seeing the cadavers. I remember taking graduate classes at night in the basement of Schroeder Complex where the corridors were dark and filled with the distinct odor of formaldehyde. I often felt uncomfortable knowing that there were "dead people" down the hall. Yet today, as the professor explained the nature of scientific donation, I began consider another kind of hero -- those who chose to bestow the gift of education upon future medical professionals. What a generous way to "Be the Difference."

[By the way, I was just fine inside the lab. There were stations where we were allowed to view and touch a heart, a brain, muscles, tendons, and nerves in legs and arms. Yet when we left the basement, it was wonderful to breath the fresh air. The beauty and fragrance of the trees and flowers that are beginning to bloom on the mall were a lovely reminder of the cyclical nature of life and death.]

Prepared

April 25, 2015 {115/365} "Words to Live By"

Last night, I had the privilege of attending the Boy Scouts Blue and Gold dinner. I was touched by the dedication and respect of the boys, their leaders, and their families. Scouting is an excellent way for boys and girls to build character, to challenge themselves, to grow into kind, courteous, friendly, helpful, loyal, and trustworthy citizens.  I was a Girl Scout from Brownies in second grade all the way through high school. I earned dozens of badges as I explored my interests, learned new skills, and grew in my convictions.  I am happy that my nephews are continuing this great tradition, and I'm so proud of their accomplishments. Chase is now a Bear and will continue his journey through Cub Scouts. Alec earn his Arrows of Light and all 20 Webelos pins, making him a Super Achiever! As he crossed over that beautiful bridge that his dad made, I was struck by the final words, "Prepared for Life." The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared" and I believe that Alec and Chase are well on their way.

Alec the Super Achiever

Chase and the Bears

Composition

April 23, 2015 {113/365} Composition

Claude Monet said, "No one is an artist unless he carries his picture in his head before painting it, and is sure of his method and composition." Well, actually he said it in French, but it's good advice in any language. Despite feeling frazzled this week, I'm keeping the big picture in mind, feeling confident in my methods, and trying to maintain my composure.