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How Will You Make 2019 Your Best Year Yet?

New Year’s Eve is here and I, like many of you, have been reflecting on the incredible year we’re about to say goodbye to: 2018.

Last year, I wrote a piece called Looking Ahead to 2018: Where Will You Travel? So, I thought I’d write a similar one this year– a sequel, if you will- documenting future plans while simultaneously looking back on the wonderful memories made this year.

2018: It was a year of Hollywood scandals and nationwide movements such as #MeToo and March for Our Lives. In the USA, an unprecedented amount of female and minority candidates won coveted government positions. People across the globe experienced crazy weather and natural disasters such as deadly wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Game of Thrones finally announced when it’s eighth and final season will be released; and that’s one of the many things we have to look forward to in the upcoming year!

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18 American Things I Miss Most

AmericanI have been living in the Netherlands for almost 3 months now and I feel pretty settled in at this point. I’ve been teaching here for 11 weeks and finally moved into my own studio in Amsterdam. I have made some new friends, am an expert at navigating the city/country via public transportation, and have learned a little bit of Dutch. Recently, though, I’ve been thinking about the things I miss from home. Of course I miss my family and friends and colleagues, but besides the people, I miss many other American conveniences. I figured I’d compile a list of them for you. And for those of you living in the states: the next time you use/see/have one of the beloved luxuries below, feel grateful… because although they may seem simple or “part of every day life”, they’re not everywhere! (more…)

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First Graders Embrace Opportunity to Teach U.S. Officials

Yesterday was a big day in Miss Snyder’s classroom.

Oh, I’m Miss Snyder. 🙂

As you may know if you’ve read my About Me, or know me personally, I am a teacher. I have been teaching for 4 years now and I currently teach first grade. I have 23 first graders in my classroom this year. But yesterday, the number of people in my room nearly doubled.
Why?
Federal officials came to visit my school to observe the PBIS and Restorative Practices we have in place, and my principal chose my room to showcase my students’ community building circle. Representatives from the United States Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, and the Attorney General’s Office sat in my room to not only observe, but participate in, my class’ daily circle time, which my first graders simply call: Morning Meeting.

Yup, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos sat in my classroom yesterday.

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Looking Ahead to 2018: Where Will You Travel?

Today is New Year’s Eve and I, like most of you I’m sure, have been reflecting on the tremendous year we’re about to say goodbye to: 2017.

20182017. It was the year of ingenious memes, terrible hurricanes and fires, and the most divisive presidential campaign in U.S. history. Malala Yousafzai went off to college and Prince Henry got engaged. Amazon is slowly but surely taking over the world. 2017 also leaves behind a few lingering questions: How much longer until Facebook suffers the same fate as MySpace? Will Apple be able to make up for their super slow iPhones and subpar battery life? WHEN WILL GAME OF THRONES RETURN?! (more…)

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The Best of New Orleans: My Top 8 Picks

What Happens In Vegas New Orleans, Stays in New Orleans

 

Or Does It? I’ll share my top 8 picks below..

top 8 new orleans

Great- you’re planning a trip to the southern, bustling city of New Orleans! Oh, it’s your first time visiting? From cheap dive bars to high-end restaurants, I’ve got you covered with these top 8 picks! You won’t want to miss these unbelievable destinations that offer tasty brunch, authentic creole dishes, spacious accommodations, and dance floors teeming with young people! Even if you’ve been to New Orleans before, I bet you can find a new spot on this list to check out during your next trip 🙂

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White Supremacists: Welcome to My Classroom

white supremacistsA few months ago, I wrote an open letter to ISIS after the tragedy in Manchester. Last week, they struck again in Barcelona. These vicious creatures have a special place in hell reserved for them.

I never thought I’d be writing a piece about a different group of terrorists right here in the USA: white supremacists.

I’m white. And this is bullshit. (more…)

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