ECC Day 327: “First Year Student” Today I shared a meal and recorded an Educator Shout Out Interview with Anant ( @anantmashiana ), who was part of the 8th grade class my first year (2014) at Da Vinci Jr. High School! I’m proud of you, Anant, and your entire graduating class of 2019! Your class holds a special place in my heart and career as a School Counselor in Davis. Many of you will become “First Year Students” in colleges and universities across the nation; all of you wi

ECC Day 326: “Webb + Ebbe = Webbe” Laughing, connecting, delicious food, a well played soccer game, more laughing, makes for a great day, and time well spent/shared. Thank you, Webb family and Gannon! Until we see each other again, much love! ✌🏼 @jlwebb73 39 DAYSS REMAIN to #ChipInForEducation by donating to the ECC Fundraiser @gofundme OR www.educatorcc.com bowl with chicken, mild salsa, sour cream, guac, lettuce #Ellen #EllenDegeneres #TheEllenShow #EllenShow #GetMsEbbeOnY

ECC Day 325: “Be Who You Needed” Be who you needed when you were younger. I am grateful for the affirming and caring role models I have had in my life, from my parents, family, friends, to coaches, mentors, and educators. I am who I am today, in part, because you provided me with space and encouragement to figure out who I am. The “figuring out” part will be a lifelong adventure. I intend to continue leading my life, proud to be me; to be someone my niece, nephews, and other

ECC Day 324: “The Hats We Wear” As educators, we wear many hats, sometimes multiple in any given moment. There’s the mentor/role model hat, parenting hat, nurse hat, teacher hat, confidential hat, make sure you’re fed and hydrated hat, mandated reporter hat, help you learn not to pick your nose in public hat, and many more. What other hats, educators? Comment below!! Educators do more than teach students specific subject matter, as it relates to daily and future lives, in a 3

ECC Day 323: “Be The Light” Each day we have opportunities to lighten and brighten someone’s day and world, even if for a moment or two. I’ll accept that daily - to give and receive positive energy to/from the world and other beings in it. Be it saying hi to people on my walk, taking my earbuds completely out of my ears; complimenting her on the great outfit choice; anything that puts another person at ease, and life a tad smoother. Today, Jay, Jennifer, Cheryl, Dez & the gir

ECC Day 322: “I Want To See You Smile” Kari & the crew at West Hillsboro #2700 @chipotle sent me on my way back to Cali with many smiles, great memories during the ECC, and a filling burrito baby!! On my drive, a person about age 14 or 15 waved and smiled at me. No matter how much money we raise to support educators and students (there was another $100 donation today - thank you!!), no matter if I reach all 53 of my Educator Shout Out Interview goals by day 365, 8/28/19, no m

ECC Day 321: “Life is a beach & I’m just playin’ in the sand.” @liltunechi Life is really giving me and people I love and care about some tough waves to ride & overcome. Damnit! Be there. Listen. Lend a helping hand. What to say, what to do to show you care and support. Nothing can take away the pain and grief in many of these moments. So much love and many big embraces! Mixed emotions. Damnit. Standing in my power pose and learning how to ride those DAMN waves. We’re in this

ECC Day 320: “Above & Beyond for Educators” Many educators go above and beyond their duty to serve our children, including buying school supplies, food, and clothes out of their own bank account. Some of these educators are already living paycheck to paycheck, working a second or third job to support themselves and their family. Some of them do not have personal health insurance because they cannot afford it. Depending on the source, the average amount an educator spends of t

ECC Day 319: “Educators’ Impact” @mrapinoe , did an educator believe in you? @beyonce , did an educator encourage you to pursue your dreams? @bradmontague and @iamkidpresident , did an educator contribute to your quest to make the world more awesome? @theellenshow , were you inspired by an educator who demonstrated how to be kind, generous, and respectful towards other people? @michelleobama and @barackobama , have you met an educator who believes in and advocates for the rig

ECC Day 315: “Living in Harmony” We often talk about “work/life balance” and finding “balance” in life. Ney reframed it as to strive for “harmony” throughout life. Balance feels pressure filled on a teeter totter, to have equal “balance” of priorities in life, and that’s not seeming to be how life is or an attainable goal per se. Rather, to feel harmony is to trust your gut with how life feels - how it flows, and you get to decide what harmony looks like and feels like for yo

ECC Day 313: “Better Together” Minnesotans are known by many as being nice people; hence, the saying, “Minnesota Nice.” Today I experienced this way of being to a level well beyond being a Minnesotan; rather, as humans supporting each other in one nation. Hundreds of people, of all ages and backgrounds, gathered to cheer on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team ( @uswnt ) as they won their fourth World Cup! People were high-fiving friends, family, strangers. I don’t know much

ECC Day 312: “Get Stilly” Getting silly in Stilly, aka my hometown, Stillwater, MN, @chipotle . That Chipotle location is a big part of where my love for Chip-o-tootle began! It’s great to be home and see people who have had such an impact on my personal and professional growth. To acknowledge where and who I came from is humbling. We have 53 days to #ChipInForEducation through the ECC Fundraiser @gofundme OR www.educatorcc.com Thank you for taking action with me! Silly in St

ECC Day 311: “Education is like life” “Education is like life in that it’s better with people who truly care.” It’s the people who would offer you an umbrella as them & their partner walk over the new Stillwater bridge when it’s raining. @christopher.rupar is one of those people and educators.💙 54 days remain to help me #ChipInForEducation by donating to the ECC Fundraiser @gofundme OR www.educatorcc.com salad with chicken, mild salsa, sour cream...Nelson’s ice cream for des

ECC Day 310 (7/4/19): “You’re not alone 🤗💙” 55 days to #ChipInForEducation by donating to the ECC Fundraiser @gofundme OR www.educatorcc.com Surrounded by chosen family (burrito ;) -- chicken burrito with 1/2 brown, 1/2 white rice, mild, sour cream, cheese, lettuce ) and friends. #Ellen #EllenDegeneres #TheEllenShow #EllenShow #GetMsEbbeOnYourShow #love #connection #keepitreal #chipotle #challenge #fundraiser #GiveBack #MichelleObama #oprah #educator #educators #yolo #Portl

ECC Day 309: “Shifting Thoughts & Habits” I heard on the radio today, “You can’t start a new chapter in life if you keep re-reading the last one.” This resonated with me about letting things go from past chapters (ongoing PROCESS), recognizing when undesirable habits resurface, assessing their benefit, and taking action to replace it with a beneficial behavior (also a PROCESS). I’m aware, and am intentional about working through those processes. I can get into an obsessive co

ECC Day 306: “Sunny PDX Days” Enjoying long walks, sunshine, people watching and interacting in June! Yep, Portland is a beautiful mixture of sun and rain. #ChipInForEducation by donating to the ECC Fundraiser @gofundme OR www.educatorcc.com went in thinking I’d get veggie bowl, but I didn’t want to resist the chicken today. Bowl with brown rice, black beans, chicken, mild, sour cream, guac, lettuce and CHIPS! #Ellen #EllenDegeneres #TheEllenShow #EllenShow #GetMsEbbeOnYourSh

ECC Day 303: “Life is Dynamic” “Dynamic (adjective): pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic” @dictionarycom I had energy and a zest for life before the ECC; however, this adventure has leveled up my perspective of how fulfilling and energizing life can be. I’ve leaned in and taken more calculated social risks to gain the reward of connection, to effect change, and spread love and kindness. I love this dynamic lif

ECC Day 302: “Summer Recharge” •road trip •quality time with one of my besties @heathercookpdx •took a nap on my first day of summer - glorious •time away from this screen •catching up on balancing checkbook, doctor’s appointments, regular maintenance for my vehicle child •furry baby snuggles and pets •walking - some sort of physical activity •@chipotle —>How do you recharge your internal battery after the school year? #ChipInForEducation by donating to the ECC Fundraiser @go

ECC Day 301: “Eye See Integrity” Today, I had the pleasure of visiting my optometrist, Dr. Heuer @valleyvista2020 . I highly respect her approach of putting patients before profit; she’s a passionate scientist who cares about the overall well-being of people. Dr. Heuer showed me images of my eyes and thoroughly described the function of its parts in a way that helped me see scientific connections between the health of my eyes and the rest of my body. I got excited for our kid

ECC Day 300!! “The Homestretch-65 days remain!” This challenge has been a beautiful opportunity to bring people together, share a meal and the common goal to do/be good in the world, spread love, and connect face-to-face. It’s awesome to have regular attendees and new folks who join to show their support of me & the ECC! That moment when I hear my educator colleague explain to someone that the ECC is about giving back to “us” - our educators - gets me even more pumped to be a