ECC Day 270: “Stranger to Connection” Yesterday I had the pleasure of sharing 25 minutes with Jamal, a beautiful soul originally from Libya, who kindly drove me to the airport, and filled my heart with warmth from connection. Jamal shared stories & lessons he’s learned specifically through interacting with diverse people as a driver for @uber . He believes that people are generally good. People make poor decisions, sometimes due to adverse circumstances. He reiterated the pos

ECC Day 268: “Philosophize!” Today I was a School Counselor, and it felt so good! I philosophized & processed existential thoughts, questions, & reflections with a student who has such great potential to change the world, & how we treat/see one another. It was a touching moment for me, and I let her know how our fruitful conversation - her introspection, maturity, growth & optimistic mindset - moved me today. She shared a similar sentiment. == My why. 💙 Help me support stude

ECC Day 267: “Student Centered Funding” “Let’s make our kids number 1 and fund our schools like they are number 1.” -Tony Thurmond #ChipInForEducation by donating to the ECC Fundraiser @gofundme OR www.educatorcc.com bowl with 1/2 & 1/2 rice, chicken, mild salsa, sour cream, cheese, lettuce #Ellen #EllenDegeneres #TheEllenShow #EllenShow #GetMsEbbeOnYourShow #StudentCentered #RedForEd #WeAreCTA #keepitreal #chipotle #challenge #fundraiser #GiveBack #MichelleObama #oprah #educ

ECC Day 266: “It’s Apparent” It’s apparent to me that most parents/guardians I’ve encountered in my career are doing their best to foster their child’s healthy development. For the effort you put in to build an open, communicative, reliable relationship with your child; for the time you share with them to celebrate successes, and to work through the challenges; for the time you take to collaborate with us at school to boost up y(our) kid; for the love of Pearl, thank you for

ECC Day 265: “100-day Countdown” As I’ve progressed on this beautiful adventure, the outpouring of support, encouragement, love, and generosity that people have shown me - from near and far distances - has been incredibly rewarding! Thank you to the 19 (yes, @coffeeisaneed , that includes you) people who shared a @chipotle meal with me to celebrate day 265 of the Educator Chipotle Challenge! Here’s to ONLY 100 more days! Let’s make the most of them! One way to show your suppo

ECC Day 263: “Striving for Wholeheartedness” In the wise words of @brenebrown , “Wholeheartedness, a way of engaging with the world & in our lives from a place of worthiness. Cultivating Authenticity, Self-Compassion, Resilient Spirit, Gratitude & Joy, Intuition & Trusting Faith, Creativity, Play & Rest, Calm & Stillness, Meaningful Work, Laughter, Song & Dance; & Letting Go of: What People Think, Perfectionism, Numbing & Powerlessness, Scarcity & Fear of the Dark, Need for C

ECC Day 262: “Say Yes Often!” ->Evan, Jacob & Ethan recommended I have a bowl with double chicken today. Yes! @jlwebb73 ->Students ask me to play basketball; most of the time I get to say, “yes!” ->A student who usually does not initiate coming to see me knocks on my door; my heart is full, I stop drafting that email, and welcome them into my office. Yes, I’d rather real FaceTime you than send that email. Yes, I have & will make time for you! ->Yes, you are important, and not

On ECC Day 261, “We Celebrate Kael” Today, May 16, 2019 is Kael Clark’s birthday. He & I met @hamlineu almost 13 years ago. We’ve been by other’s side through a lot of life’s adventures. Here’s to a lifetime of philosophizing, laughing, celebrating, crying, dancing, eating @chipotle , & keeping it real, my friend. Happy HAPPY 30th! My life has been enhanced with your whimsical challenge for me to eat Chipotle once a day for one year. This ECC journey means so much to me, and

ECC Day 260: “I lift...” *I lift kids up when they feel: hopeless, happy, sad, joy, anxious, depressed, disappointed, ecstatic, accomplished, judged, misunderstood, etc.. *I lift educators up because I believe in them & their role to lift the skills, spirits, & qualities of our youth. *I lift parents up when they feel proud, guilty, hopeful, helpless, etc.. *I lift myself up. *I lift my niece & nephews when they want a piggy back ride. 😍😍 @jessica_nochez *I lift weights...t

ECC Day 259: “All In” Sometimes in life ya gotta go all in; ya gotta give it everything you’ve got...and a little more. I’m all in for making the Educator Chipotle Challenge the most impactful it can be. I’m all in to advocate for the wellness & success of our youth, and the adults who help raise them. I am all sorts of in with reaching 365 days of eating @chipotle . Sir Kael Clark, you have really sparked the fire of inspiration and zest for life that I have lost here and th

ECC Day 258: “Embrace Discomfort Daily” Recorded Educator Shout Out Interview with fellow educator & change agent, Beau ( @bcrunyan )! I’m grateful Beau is an educator, and chooses to embrace discomfort daily. Leading by example. That takes courage, self-awareness, and the desire to push yourself in order to overcome and live your life to its fullest. Discomfort is necessary for growth. Build yourself and others up to embrace discomfort, at least once, daily! Stay tuned in th

ECC Day 257: “Happy Mother’s Day” Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms, Dads, Aunties, Uncles, mentors, teachers, coaches, etc. who are nurturing, supportive, and loving, in their own ways, to other people (of any age & relation). We literally wouldn’t be here without you. It’s hard work to be a good parent! Keep at it! 108 days to #ChipInForEducation by donating to the ECC Fundraiser @gofundme OR www.educatorcc.com Check out #linkinbio 👆🏼for Rico’s Educator Shout Out Intervi

ECC Day 256: “Qualities of a Healthy Relationship” For me, a healthy relationship includes: reciprocity, open, honest, consistent (not necessarily frequent) communication in many forms, trust, vulnerability, courage, acceptance with where the other person is, while challenging & supporting each other to grow & learn, emotional intelligence, deep connection, empathy, fun, laughter, silliness, seriousness when needed, and love in its various languages. Be/make an effort to beco

ECC Day 255: “Happy Teacher Appreciation Week - ECC Learning Targets” •By 11:59PM on August 28, 2019, I can demonstrate through 53 video recorded Educator Shout Out Interviews, on @youtube , that I’ve highlighted stories of educators’ positive impact. •By 11:59PM on August 28, 2019, I can demonstrate through $100,000 raised with the ECC fundraiser that committed action towards meeting a need is possible. •After 8/28/19, I can demonstrate through transparency of receipts that

ECC Day 253: Happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2019 - Students, show up! Students, show that you appreciate your educators & yourself by: *getting to know your educators beyond what they teach; *showing up to school and each class on time; *demonstrating respectful, on-task behavior when your teacher or classmates are talking; *sharing your ideas during discussions, and asking questions, especially when you need help understanding; *completing your assignments to the best of yo

ECC Day 252: “Happy Teacher Appreciation Week-it takes a village!” It takes a village of compassionate, dedicated, innovative educators & parents to foster healthy, well-rounded human beings! Keep it up, village! #ChipInForEducation by donating to the ECC Fundraiser @gofundme OR www.educatorcc.com Bowl with black beans, mild, sour cream, cheese, guac, lettuce #Ellen #EllenDegeneres #TheEllenShow #EllenShow #GetMsEbbeOnYourShow #ItTakesAVillage #keepitreal #chipotle #challenge

ECC Day 251: “HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK 2019!” Educators are one of the pillars of our society’s foundation. Many dedicate their life to honing their craft to serve, teach, mentor, coach, and support our youth’s healthy development. I see & appreciate the extra love, care, hours, and energy you put into being your best as an educator (of all ages)! Stay motivated! YES, YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE! It’s a beautiful & critical time to be a positive, reliable, approachable

ECC Day 250: “Extra like guac” Don’t worry, guac, I’m extra, too. *I give extra. **I care & love extra. ***I take extra Chipotle napkins sometimes. **I love life extra. *I’m extra stoked about the impact of the ECC! **I’m extra thrilled to receive a call from @theellenshow someday, inviting me to share the ECC on her show. ***I’m extra pumped to honor & appreciate teachers this week for all that they do! **I love @chipotle extra extra! *I’m “extra” in mostly awesome, enhancin

ECC Day 249: “Off The Bench” Today is a reminder that I need to slow down, take things off the bench to prioritize time for, like getting an oil change, tires rotated/balanced, and put my needs before others to balance my well-being. If this resonates with you, what do you need to prioritize and take off the bench? Recently, someone commented “can she eat with her mouth closed?.” Here’s another photo of me feeding my face with deliciousness for you. Enjoy. #ChipInForEducation

ECC Day 248: “Be That Some-burrito!” Everybody needs somebody to be their burrito at times. Wrap your arms around them like a warm tortilla hugs its ingredient friends! Be that somebody for someone. Ya never know when you’re going to need some-burrito to hug you. 😄 Check out Rico’s Educator Shout Out Interview on ECC @youtube #ChipInForEducation by donating to the ECC Fundraiser @gofundme OR www.educatorcc.com 117 days remain Hugged by a brown rice, chicken, mild salsa, sour