The old joke is that no one goes into teaching for the money. In fact, becoming a teacher 13 years ago meant leaving a lucrative legal career and returning to graduate school, a decision I made after substitute teaching for a year. As a substitute, I loved the rush of …
Read More »Michelle Blanchard Ardillo
Knitting for Charity More than just a hobby, knitters and crocheters are picking up their needles as a way to give back to the community
Aside from the inherent sense of accomplishment and pride in creating a garment or accessory, the simple act of knitting for charity can be a way for even the busiest person to give back to the community. Many hospitals and charity groups exist to connect crafters with those in need, …
Read More »DaddyBoy Bake Shop’s Simple All Butter Pie Crust Recipe
A good pie crust can be intimidating, so here are some tips for the home baker “from a guy who has messed up plenty of them.” Yield: more than enough for a two-crust pie or two individual shells Ingredients: 300g (about 2.5 cups) all-purpose flour 226g (2 sticks) unsalted sweet …
Read More »Express Yourself To Impress The School Admissions Committee To Impress The School Admissions Committee
Eighth-grade year for many brings tears of joy and sadness. Students must leave the safe cocoon of middle school and spread their wings as high school freshmen. For parents interested in pursuing secondary education in a Catholic school or private school for their children, this process can be formidable. And, …
Read More »Finding Joy Every Fall: A Teacher’s Perspective
Follow your bliss. Find your joy. Find something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. Follow your passion, not a paycheck. These are things you hear in commencement speeches, but are they true? For 20 years I worked in the legal field, and for most of …
Read More »Helmet Off: Santana Moss Talks Football, Fatherhood and Finding New Purpose
Although his NFL football playing days are behind him, former Washington Redskins wide receiver (#89) Santana Moss still leads a pretty busy and full life. The 40-year-old father of five spends most of his days moving from work on his foundation to recording a podcast, to his work as an …
Read More »End in Sight: Tips for Fighting the Fourth-Quarter Blues
The long-awaited fourth quarter of the school year is finally here, and summer is right around the corner. But before you can head to the beach or plan all those backyard barbecues, pay attention to these five tips to end the school year with success. Sleep on it Prepare for …
Read More »Parent-Teacher Confidence: 4 C’s for a Successful Conference
Around the same time that the pumpkin-flavored coffee drinks appear in your local coffee shop, another annual event will take place that may send you reeling like a triple shot of espresso. Yes, it’s almost that time of the year: parent-teacher conferences. Your child means the world to you, so …
Read More »What’s in Your Lunchbox?
Packing school lunches has changed quite a bit over the recent decades. An acceptable lunch from the ‘70s — a ham and cheese sandwich on supermarket white bread, a bag of chips, a soda and a candy bar — has morphed into a challenge for today’s parents who want to …
Read More »Armchair Traveler: Books That Let You Travel the World (Without Leaving Your Home)
Sometimes the ability to travel abroad is just not possible. If health issues, budgetary concerns, work obligations or family responsibilities are preventing you from traveling to far away places, there’s always a second option: Pick up a good book! Books allow you to experience the culture, customs and traditions of …
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