Quirky Corner of Common Sense

So, I'd like to preface this post with a disclaimer... I have anxiety. I have been an anxious person for as long as I can remember. I take medication to help function through my anxiety, and I am grateful for modern medicine so I can be a positive, productive contributor to society.   Recently, a global pandemic has increased my feelings of panic, depression, anxiety, and helplessness.  The coronavirus has been spreading across the world so quickly, and many people aren't taking it seriously.  Of course, that simply exacerbates the problems, which means this quarantine and shelter-at-home mandate for Pennsylvania (and other places) will go on for longer than I can tolerate. But, I am healthy.  My family is healthy.  We have food, clean water, the ability to wash our clothes without leaving the house, cars to use if necessary, gloves to wear at the grocery store, and technology to allow us to maintain a sense of "normalcy" in our daily routines of school...

Over the past few years, my family has been talking about taking a trip to California.  Well, this July, we finally made it!  Two weeks of travel, exploration, food, scenery, driving, flying, and walking around several parts of California... filled with laughter, love, exhaustion, and magical memories that I don't ever want to forget.  So, I'm journaling much of what I enjoyed right here in this blog! Although waking up at 4am to catch our flight to San Diego was not ideal, in retrospect we learned that booking early morning flights is the best way to have options if something goes wrong with the original one. :)  We also learned that certain car rental companies are not efficient with their customer assistance process... and we know which one we will use for every trip in the future. :)  Lastly, we learned that staying at Air BnB homes is really our preference for lodging.  A hotel room is certainly a good option, but when you're with the same people, 24...

40 years ago, on December 31st 1978, I became the luckiest little girl in the world.  I was born into a family whose love and support would only continue to grow over the years. I knew immediately that I was wanted - and had been the hopes and dreams of my parents for almost five years. When I was born on my actual due date, I feel like the whole world accepted the reality that was to be. Alicia Nichole Noerr, fierce, dedicated, determined to prove so many things to so many people. The little girl who only answered to Jorge for much of her life. The little girl who played endlessly in her white Sunday dress - and returned home spotless. The little girl who couldn't sit still and ended up loving gymnastics and dance for years. The little girl who struggled with math and science but loved her teachers nonetheless. The little girl who had a love of learning - and winning.  The young lady who entered a beauty pageant in hopes of securing a college scholarship. The young...

Well, it is mid-June, and the children in the Dallas School District are STILL IN SCHOOL .  That is because the teacher strike last fall used up all of the allotted time that the union was afforded for the strike.  Then, even with multiple cancellations due to snow days, the state won't allow the district to extend the school year past June 30th.  But wait!  It gets more interesting... Parents were notified last week that the last three days of the school year will be half days .  What?  I'm sorry; did you say less learning in addition to missing 30-ish days because of the strike? How does that make any sense?  No, really. I'm asking someone to explain how that makes any sense. Teachers are educators because we believe in instilling a life-long passion for learning.  What kind of message does it send when the teachers are giving up when there is still so much to do?!?  Ethan's class stopped learning math last week.  There are still ...

Thirteen years ago, I was introduced to a lovely, talented, ambitious young woman.  She became my "adult ballet teacher" when I had decided to start dancing again.  Very quickly, she became my friend.  At the time, Kristen was using the ballroom at the Mary Stegmaier Mansion in downtown Wilkes-Barre, PA for her dance studio.  I paid her weekly for the lessons, and in return I gained confidence, strength, stamina, and poise.  Her fee for dance lessons was simply not enough for what I got in return. Eventually, Kristen started her own dance company, Without Walls.  She invited me to perform as part of her troupe, and I was elated - truly over the moon!  We rehearsed and performed many different pieces, from ballet to modern to tap.  Yes, at age 28, I learned how to tap dance! Along the way, the Mary Stegmaier Mansion was being used for many things - including monthly events where artists of all kinds were invited to share their work and their in...

A few weeks ago, the Dallas, PA community was notified of a potential teacher strike, set to start the week of Thanksgiving.  Then, on November 11th, just one school day before the strike began, the community was notified that teachers would not be working as of that coming Monday, November 14th.  I am certain there was a legitimate reason for the abrupt change, but as a parent, it was not quite enough time to prepare for child care - since both Mike and I are working parents.  And, I am confident that we were not the only parents feeling a bit put-out by this sudden change in plans. Recently, the community of parents, children, administrators, and supporters gathered at the Dallas High School to learn more about the strike during the monthly school board meeting.  One hundred fifty teachers attended, including their union president.  Also in attendance was my husband... who loves data, and statistics, and facts ... I am an educator.  I have also spent ...