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 318: “Natural Endings” As this visit home to Stillwater, MN comes to a close, I reflect on one of the themes throughout my trip; it’s one of life’s constants: everything changes and comes to an end. From the visits with my niece and nephews, friends, and family to the recent sale of my grandparents’ home, to changes in peoples’ abilities and mindset from how I used to know them, the natural shifts in friendships, to the delicious @chipotle burritos, and soon to be the

ECC Day 317: “Mental Health Day From Captions” I’ve captioned for 316 days; I figured I can allow myself a pass for 1 of 365 days, especially my last night home in Stilly. #ChipInForEducation by donating to the ECC Fundraiser @gofundme OR www.educatorcc.com bowl with brown rice, chicken, mild, sour cream, cheese, lettuce #Ellen #EllenDegeneres #TheEllenShow #EllenShow #GetMsEbbeOnYourShow #friends #keepitreal #chipotle #challenge #fundraiser #GiveBack #MichelleObama #oprah #b

ECC Day 316: “Walk Down Memory Lane” We go back to elementary school days. Marnie was one of my childhood best friends. She and my Dad adore(d) each other! Today, in our early thirties, we took a walk and drive down memory lane. It’s amazing how certain memories can be activated by certain people, phrases, places, etc.. We also recorded an Educator Shout Out Interview. Marn, thank you for such a beautiful friendship, for supporting me with the ECC, and for your efforts as a s

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 314: “Nature of Change” “Change is something that’s not always easy but necessary and natural, as we grow and evolve to be our best selves. To continue to be real, authentic, and show up for ourselves and others in the best way possible. To be flexible with the world around us, it gives us an opportunity to find that anchor of stability. To find that constant amidst the change (internal & external), discovering what those are, and having some choice in the process. Th

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 3-0-8! “Action to Happiness & Joy” “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” -Dalai Lama *I recognize these experiences and feelings are a process that ebb & flow throughout our lives; I’ve sure experienced those ebbs and flows. Everyone has their own process of experiencing happiness & joy. A friend shared a list of “22 Things Happy People Do Differently,” and it resonates with me; I’m continually working towards loving life. I also tal

ECC Day 307 Meal/Part 2 (7/1/19): “Relationship Goals“ For 15 years (Spring of 2004), I’ve consistently eaten Chipotle. This year (8/29/18-8/28/19), I’ve leveled up my commitment by eating it ONCE A DAY for 365 days! I LOVE IT! I was challenged to do so by Kael (pic 3), and created the Educator Chipotle Challenge (ECC) to fulfill that challenge, highlight educators’ positive impact, and raise $100,000 to buy school supplies for educators (so they don’t have to) AND improve ac

ECC Day 307 Meal/Part 1 (7/1/19): “Relationship Goals” For 15 years (Spring of 2004), I’ve consistently eaten Chipotle. This year (8/29/18-8/28/19), I’ve leveled up my commitment by eating it ONCE A DAY for 365 days! I LOVE IT! I was challenged to do so by Kael (pic 5), and created the Educator Chipotle Challenge (ECC) to fulfill that challenge, highlight educators’ positive impact, and raise $100,000 to buy school supplies for educators (so they don’t have to) AND improve ac

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