From the latest updates on virtual learning to voting to self-care, this episode tries to keep up with the changing winds of 2020.
0:15 - Welcome and Overview
2:30 - Update on Virtual Learning
8:20 - Exercising Your Right to Vote
14:30 - Tracey Mormon
16:15 - Taking Care of Others by Taking Care of Yourself
21:15 - Getting Through COVID-19
27:25 - Can't Let It Go
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Speaker 2 (00:08):
You two. Hello.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Hey. Hey guys.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Oh, oh.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Hey guys. Hello and welcome to episode three of Schoolwork. Uh, we're glad you're with us. Susan and I are here gonna, gonna welcome some guests this morning. Um, Mr. Loomis gonna talk to us a little bit about, uh, kind of briefly about virtual learning, kind of an update there, talk about voting and the importance of voting, and really probably something really important. Susan. Um, Tracy's going to Tracy. Mormon's gonna join us, and we're gonna get to know Tracy a little bit. She's gonna talk to us about something that's really important during this time, really about mental health, how to take care of yourself, how to take care of our kids, um, and really probably something that a lot of us are, are shortsighted on right now, but very, very important. So we look forward to talking with Tracy. Um, and then we're just gonna kind of wrap things up with, you know, for, from each of our perspectives, what's something that's kind of uplifting, heartwarming, um, just something a little bit light to kind of keep us all going during a time that can be kind of, um, you know, really heavy sometimes and bogs us down.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
So we're gonna try to end today's episode with just something that, you know, we can't let go of and something that's important to us, kind of keeping us going and keeping our mo motor full. So, um, good, good to
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Be with you.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Sounds great, Kevin. I'm glad to see you. And, um, I don't know, Mr. Loomis, what do you got for Yeah,
Speaker 2 (01:42):
We're gonna start with Doug. He seems to be a permanent fixture on this, this podcast
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Now, and I, a, I apologize to everyone for that, and nobody ought to have to put up with me this early in the morning, especially after a board meeting that ran into the wee hours of the morning. Uh, and so I'm not sure I'm awake, but maybe I've got enough coffee in me to, to, to give a little bit of information this morning. So thanks for having me. And, um, and where are we gonna go, guys?
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Speaking of the board meeting, uh, the board just recently approved the purchase of some more Chromebooks and, um, but really, you know, you could ask, teachers are struggling. We've got students that are, um, unengaged. We've got virtual learners out there that just, just haven't come back and aren't engaged. And so why are we buying more Chromebooks
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Speaker 4 (03:19):
And so, uh, we've just found, found some, uh, they've come on the market and we're, we're able to finish that up. Uh, and, and that's the short answer, Susan, you know, is, is, is we may, we may have to close this thing down at some point. Um, don't necessarily think that's what's going to happen, but we wanna be in a position to do that long term. Um, I, I just think that that technology in our can, in our kids' hands really opens up doors. It, it, it, it opens up our, our our ability to deliver instruction anywhere we wanna deliver it, you know? And, and once we get to the other side of this pandemic, there, there, there are times that the kids have short-term illnesses. Uh, there are times that kids have to be gone for, you know, funerals and, and, and, and seeing family.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
And, and there's a myriad of reasons kids have to be outta school. And so we have the ability with the Chromebooks and, and, and with the, with the systems that we're putting in play to be able to deliver instruction on demand. And, and, and you're right. I, this has been hard. Um, and, and teachers are, are, are, it's, it's almost more than anybody ought to be asked to do. Uh, but, but teachers are starting to figure this out lesson or at the board meeting. Um, we, we heard from two te two campuses who really have, uh, gone through the trials of this thing, and they're starting to figure it out. And so long term, uh, putting devices in our kids' hands, I, I believe is, is what will extend education that will help us bridge the achievement gap. It, it will put technology in every kid's hands and, and the ability for them to access a quality education no matter where they are. And, and the most important thing is a I S D teachers will be delivering that instruction.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Absolutely. You know, I, I really think we could go on and on about virtual learning. Uh, probably we could do a, another whole entire episode. I, I think what we would say to staff is, um, this is starting to get better. Um, but we realize that it's not perfect. And so, you know, stay in touch with your principal, stay in touch with your team of teachers, let us know where there still are, areas where there are bumps in the road, and we can do something to help smooth those out. We are not at all, um, at the point of saying this is where it needs to be. Um, but, but it's getting there. And so keep us informed. Uh, we got a load of technology coming our way for our, our kids. Some, mostly our younger kids.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Our middle school kids just got an email this morning. They're gonna be, they'll be delivered in district on the, on the 28th, ke 29th, 28th or 29th, Kevin. So phone for
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Coming. And thankfully I think kind of hit the, the Chromebook lottery last week. We've secured and found another, you know, another group of 'em. Those were supposed
Speaker 4 (06:06):
To be, well, I thought you was gonna use the word tranche, Mr.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Phillips? No, not tranche. Okay. It's just, just the lottery of Chromebooks. So somehow we're able to find several, several thousand more Chromebooks. They'll be here by December 1st, and those really are going to our youngest kiddos. So, um, uh, things are, things are, you know, good things are happening. Bright spots are coming. Um, we, we really advocated that this was coming here. And, um, so
Speaker 4 (06:30):
It is, and, and like we told the the staff last night, Kevin, you know, we just stand in awe, you know, from from the beginning. We, we know where we know where solutions come from. They, they come from the trenches. They come from the classroom teachers and the administrators working together and figuring out how do we take the next step? And, and we've advocated since the beginning of this. If you can just think about what can I do better today? Not, not all the things that we ought to do better. What's the one thing I can do better today? And, and if we can fix that one problem today and tomorrow we can fix another one, all of a sudden you start to get momentum and all of a sudden this thing is flowing. And last night at a board meeting, you know, we, we heard the fourth grade team at Rogers talk, and we heard the, the team at Tascosa talk about, you know, this, this has been hard.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
And, and we've, there's been a lot of tears and there's been a lot of frustrations. But as we've started to look for solutions and we've taken one step at a day, one step at a time, and one day at a time, you know, this is starting. It's not perfect. And, and there are still a, we've got a long road to go, but, but we've started to figure out what this onsite virtual world may look like. And so the one thing that I'm sure of is I have confidence of the people who are in the trenches, and that we're gonna figure this out and we're gonna figure it out together.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yeah. I think people are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, maybe. So that's good.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
At least they have a tunnel. I'm not sure there's a light yet, Susan, but they, there's at least a tunnel.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Well, maybe they're going in the right direction.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Yes, ma'am. I do believe that.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Yeah. Okay. Well, like Kevin said, we could probably talk about this for, you know, a couple of hours and we, we will certainly devote more, uh, episodes to talking more about virtual learning and, and Covid. But today we wanna talk a little bit more about, we wanna talk a little bit about voting. We've got, um, the November election coming up in a couple
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Of weeks. Really? There's an election out there. Yeah, I haven't heard that. I, that's news to me.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yes, we have to,
Speaker 4 (08:21):
You, you know, it, it, it really is refreshing to drive by the polls in Amarillo and see the long lines and, and see people taking the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. And, uh, you know, as, as we've talked as a leadership team and as, as, as we've talked about the importance of this, you know, we, we have our, our government is, is a representative government, and we elect people to represent us in, in, in Austin or, or at, at the city or in Washington. And really, it, it's important that, that we all, uh, exercise that opportunity. And, and one of the things that I really want to encourage our staff to do is for us to create a culture of voting. Historically, educators, we're not really great at voting. Yeah. And why do you think, why do you think that is? Well, that's, that's because we're busy teaching kids, you know, and, and on election day, uh, so often, you know, on, on a Tuesday in November or, or in May, whenever that election is, we're busy teaching kids.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
And, and, and it's not always easy to find time to, to make it to the polls. And, and, and, and, and so I, I want us to, to think about how, how do we create a culture that we're gonna vote? Because here's the real truth. If I'm a representative of, of this podcast, and, um, there's an election and I'm elected to be that representative, and Susan goes and votes, and Kevin doesn't go and vote, who's gonna have my ear? And one of the things as educators is, is we want our representation to, to understand what's going on in education. We want to have their ears. And the way we ensure that is we go vote it. It's not important whether you're Republican, you're a Democrat, you're a conservative, you're a progressive, you're left, you're right. And anything in between, that's not what's important. Sure. What's important is we go vote.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
Mm-hmm. And, and what we tell, tell the people who ultimately are, are elected to represent us, is, uh, we want you to hear us. And, and when in Amarillo, we've got over 5,000 employees and all 5,000 of us go vote. And, and, and our, our 18 year old seniors go vote alongside us. We're sending a real powerful, powerful message to those who are going to represent us. Hey, we we're here and, and we want you to listen to us. And, and so, um, I, I, I think as a, as, as a, as an entity, um, we ought to really think about how do we develop that culture. Yeah. You know, is it one of those things I, I couldn't get to the poll, you know, and so, you know, maybe the superintendent needs to come cover your class so you can slip out and go vote. You know, I, I think we look for ways to try to open doors to make sure our staff have the opportunity to get to vote.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
You know, I, as, as educators, I think it's a very real thing for our teachers, you know, literally, and especially now with what we're all trying to deal with, with virtual learning and, and the pandemic, you know, more so than even ever we're, our lives as educators are driven by, you know, first period, second period, third period, I barely have time to eat my lunch. And, and so it, it definitely is a struggle. So I, I think anything we can do to encourage our leaders to find creative ways, to free up some time for people to run and vote, I, I will just, you know, personal note, lived here all my life. I'm from Amarillo, at least since I've been voting age. I, I've never seen the number of people standing outside of polling places. Yeah. Uh, but I, i just, my personal perspective and, and, um, encouragement to people out there, even despite that, it was very quick Saturday when I went and voted.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
So it didn't take me very long. I got to stand outside with my wife for a, a, a few minutes in beautiful weather. And really, honestly, by the time we got there, by the time we finished and we're onto our next thing on a Saturday, it really is very quick. Didn't take long at all. So I, I think all of us can make excuses about how busy we are and how our life is driven from, from Belle to Belle and class to class. Uh, at some point it's just a personal choice of us. And really maybe somebody helping us out and encouraging us, watching our class for a few minutes, but, but get out there and vote. Take the time. Make it a priority. Figure out a way. Um, don't let the long line scare you off. 'cause it really doesn't take very long.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Good. And I think it's, you know, voting is part of being a responsible citizen. And I think it's, um, important that as educators, we model that behavior, you know, for our own kids.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
Well, nothing is more disheartening as, as when you stopped and, and you start looking at, at, at election results and who voted and who didn't vote. And, and you look up and, and, and you see that the education sector, you know, a very, very small percentage voted. And, and that's sending a, that's sending a loud message to to, to those that are representing us. And so, let's, let's get out and let's vote and let's be a part of that process. And, and, um, let's, let's look at those that ultimately become our elected officials and say, uh, here we are. And you need to be listening to us. And, and we need to be working together to, to make things better for everyone.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
So, um, shifting on, we're gonna, we're gonna be sure we get Tracy in here, Mr. Loomis, I think, I think Susan, Susan and I, we need your key to this room that we're in. So, um, if you can go ahead and just hand us your keys, um, and we'll, we'll let you know when you're gonna get that back.
Speaker 4 (13:51):
Um, nothing like being politely dismissed, Mr.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Phillips
Speaker 4 (14:11):
Guys. Appreciate
Speaker 2 (14:12):
The opportunity and for lucky, we, we, if we're lucky, we may see you again next time.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
If you're un lucky. If you're only that lucky Susan. Thanks guys. Maybe, yeah. Friends like you, who needs enemies in this world.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
Alright, so onto our next guest, one of our favorite folks. I know a favorite to many. She's our, uh, she's our, this is Us buddy, which I think is gonna start next week, right? Tracy? This is us. Is gonna start again next week, I think. Yes. I'm so
Speaker 2 (14:40):
Excited 'cause I'll cry every week.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
So I'll get to converse back and forth with Tracy via text while we watch. But Tracy Mormon is with us. I'm not gonna really, I'm gonna let Tracy introduce herself 'cause a lot of people may not know you.
Speaker 5 (14:53):
Well, I'm Tracy Morman. I'm the director of counseling and college and career ready for the district. And so that just means I get to do a lot of fun things with the district and with kids and with teachers and other staff members. So it's, I love my job. Tell
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Us a little bit about your family. 'cause you got a good family.
Speaker 5 (15:09):
Yeah, I do. I have a great family. So my husband teaches, um, law enforcement at Amarillo High. He's previously, before that he was at Cap Rock and he worked in law enforcement for, gosh, 20 years. And then I have a son who graduated from Cap Rock and works for the health department. So he's knee deep in Covid right now with like everybody else. And then I have a senior who also is, um, he's at North Heights right now. He was at Amarillo High, but now he's at North Heights. So, um, and both of my kids are adopted, so that's fine. We have, I just always say we have one of those, um, great blended, mixed up little families, so I love it.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
So Jamie and Tracy are some cool people. Um, they got some cool boys and they take care of, uh, some of the rest of us, our kids. And, uh, Tracy would do the same for any of you all out there. So, um, Tracy, we just want you to share a little bit with us. How do we, um, how do we help each other take care of one another and take care of ourselves in terms of mental health and the social emotional part of what's going on? How do we look after one another and make sure everybody's okay?
Speaker 5 (16:19):
Yeah. So great questions. I get that question all the time. Like, how do we take care of ourselves? So the first thing, you gotta take care of yourself. I mean, that's the first thing. Like find that stuff that you like to do. Um, you know, we're, we're still missing some of the things that we love to do. So, um, go outside. You know, we can still go outside. I know we live in the Texas panhandle and it's windy some days, but, um, can you sit on your porch? Can you go sit in the backyard? Can you go for a bike ride? Um, do some of those great things. Find some great movies. Like, we loved going to the movies. I'm so glad that the movies kind of opened back up. I've convinced Jamie we can, it's safe to go to the movie. We finally went, we watched Empire Strikes back on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
We were the only ones in the movie theater. So it was safe. Was like, who would've thought we'd be in the movie theater watching Empire Strikes Back? But, um, find movies like you can still have movie night and turn off the lights and pop popcorn. Do those things. You can still have family time and do those things. Like what are the things that you want to pamper yourself with? Can you still do spa time? Um, do those types of things. When we were still completely in shutdown mode, we would still do Google meets or Zoom times with our families so that we could still see each other. Can you do drive-bys and wave at people? And um, one of my counselors, it was, he was so fun, he was talking about like, he would, um, take kids to his grandparents, to his hou to their grandparents' house because they miss their grandparents so much and they would write snail mail and drop it off. Wow. Like, so there's like lots of things that you can still do to stay in touch with each other, but find those things that are like really great. 'cause you have to take care of yourself. You know, we talk all the time that if your oxygen mask isn't on, you can't take care of anybody else. You've got to fill your cup up before you can help anybody else. So, um, yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
And that's a real good point Tracy. And, um, you know, for a lot of our kids, school just isn't fun anymore. And you know, we know that a lot of our kids out there are just struggling with life and, and school right now. So how, how are we helping adults in the schools, um, help
Speaker 5 (18:36):
Kids
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Right now?
Speaker 5 (18:38):
Yeah, so I think, you know, one of the things is just be there. Like, that's the most important things. Some consistency. That was one of the things I think kids miss so much when we went to school Closure. We were the, the safe place, the consistent place. They knew every day when they came to school, Mr. Phillips was gonna be there. They knew when they came to school that principal's gonna be there, that teacher was gonna be there, and then we shut down and they couldn't see their friends, they couldn't see their teacher. And so now just showing up and being there is the best thing that we can do. And so we know that just being there for them, being consistent, being the stable place, math, english, science, and social studies all gonna fall into place as long as we're there for them. Um, the high fives, the elbow bumps, that's, that's what they need. And then so
Speaker 3 (19:31):
You, you went right where I was gonna go. You know, I think, I think sometimes, and I think Tracy would agree, you know, the, I guess nowadays instead of the handshakes, it's gonna be the fist bumps. It's just, it's gonna be kids noticing that we care and that we recognize that they're here and they're at school and we recognize that and somebody caress that they're there and they're just not, you know, another person that's walking in and out of, you know, classroom 1 0 6 and then to 2 24. And so I, I don't know, I, Tracy's always reiterated to me that sometimes the littlest things are the most important for our kids that are struggling in some way. So, um, I I've always appreciated, you've, you've, you've helped me understand that from a mental health perspective. Yeah, there are, there are some pretty complex things and it takes people like you and our counselors who, um, are awesome by the way.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Um, but it takes people with expertise sometimes to work through all those. But for, for people like me, for our, you know, our, our teachers, um, you know, the PE teacher, the, the math teacher, it's just little things sometimes that, that go a long way with kids that are struggling. So, um, um, anyway, tell us, tell us Tracy, what's, you know, what are, what are, what are your counselors, what are you guys, your, your department as you, you are app piece to the puzzle in Covid right now. What's on y'all's radar? What are the things y'all are working on? What are, what do you have principals asking you about? You know, what are principals asking, or even our families, moms and dads and families, what's on y'all's radar to be, um, a piece of the puzzle that helps us all get through Covid?
Speaker 5 (21:18):
So what, what are kids safe? Like we hear that all the time. Are they safe physically? Are they safe mentally? Um, when they come to school, what's happening? And so the counselors are doing a lot of check-ins with kids. We want eyeballs on kids, whether they're virtual, whether they're in person. They really wanna place, um, eyeballs on kids. So they're doing home visits for our kids that aren't in school. They're making phone calls. They want them to still feel connected to the school. And so that's what's really, really important. And so we're checking in on those kids. We're, we're still doing groups, we're still having lunch groups with them. They may look way different because, you know, we can't be in a small confined space, but we're still, it's all about that connectiveness. Like, that's what's so important. And I think that's what was so hard when we weren't able to be together, is you didn't feel connected. And so it's trying to bring kids back together and, and be connected so that everybody feels a, a part of their school community, um, whatever that might look like. And so, and being safe and find and realizing what might have happened when they were at home, um, whatever that might have looked like because everybody's story looked a little different. And, and figuring out what their safety might have to look like when we, now that we're back in school mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Speaker 5 (22:55):
Building? Yeah, so we've, we've used Canvas. So even the counselors are using Canvas. And, and so we're, we're pushing out some lessons to, to those kiddos. We're trying to meet with them through Google meets, do some one-on-one lessons if we need to do that, some counseling sessions with them. Um, even if we're having to do some group meetings with 'em, try to at least have some of those together. Make sure that we're just checking in on them, like I said. Um, but we're trying to push out some of those lessons so that they know that we care about them and hey, these are some things that you can work on while you're at home to help with your social needs that you might not be getting. That this is what we're doing here and we're about to push out Red Ribbon Week. So we want those kids to be able to participate in those activities as well, even though they might be at school. So they'll be getting those activities as well. And we want them to participate.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
So Tracy, in, in terms of kind of the whole picture, help us out. Give us kind of a, give us some next steps. So for each of us, as we do whatever it is that we're doing right now, whatever our part as as staff members for A I S D, give us what's, you know, what are, what's the top three things that we can do to help ourselves, to help kids most importantly, and to help our colleagues around us as we work. What, what's the top three things we could do to, to make a difference and take care of ourselves and one another through the pandemic?
Speaker 5 (24:26):
I think one thing we have to give ourselves permission to, to make mistakes and to not be perfect. I think right now everybody still wants to be perfect. They want to not make mistakes. They are afraid that if they don't get something completed today, that something's gonna happen tomorrow. It, it's okay, take a break. It's okay to give yourself permission to not work on something over the weekend. Um, that that's okay. You know, give yourself permission to take a break to, to not answer that email on Saturday or on Sunday. Take time for your family. Um, that's the first thing that you need to do as, as the teacher, as the educator. Because if you're doing that, then you're gonna be better off on Monday or on Thursday when you come back to the classroom for the student. Um, be aware of like what's happening in your classroom.
Speaker 5 (25:20):
Sometimes I think that sometimes we forget and we think that because student A is doing a certain behavior that there must be something wrong with me and I must be a, a bad teacher, or something's wrong with them. And, and sometimes we forget that their behavior is communication. What are they trying to communicate to us? And so if, if they're not doing their work, it's not necessarily a reflection of you, the educator, it's a reflection of something that they're trying to communicate to us. So what are they trying to communicate to us? Did something happen at home? Um, did, was there a trauma that happened? And sometimes we always think that that trauma has to be something detrimental, like their house burned down or there was some type of sexual abuse, but their trauma could be they're going through a divorce, mom or dad lost their job.
Speaker 5 (26:14):
Um, all of that is a trauma. And so we just have to take a step back, take a breather and start, um, maybe asking questions or just saying, Hey, you know, um, I noticed that something's a little different today. You wanna talk about it? Or do you just need to take a step back for a second? Um, and, and start realizing that something's just a little bit different. It doesn't have anything to do with you. But sometimes as educators, we're so type A and we want everything to be perfect, that we take everything personal, um, and real and start thinking that there must be something wrong with me because not everybody in my class is turning in their work the way they're supposed to, and it doesn't all work and not everybody's moving at the pace I want them to. And so we just have to take a step back and realize it's all okay. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
Yeah. 'cause the student not understanding the assignment might be because of what happened the night before at home.
Speaker 5 (27:15):
Yeah. You know, and we haven't been in school since March.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Right, exactly.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
That's great advice. That's, that's awesome. And, um, you know, I really kind of just leading in Susan and, and I are gonna kind of end today with something a little different. We're gonna try to talk and, and end up on a, on a, on a ladder note, maybe a more important note. So we're gonna talk about, um, kind of in line with what Tracy's sharing with us, things that we can't let go of. So, um, you know, um, hopefully Tracy can join, you know, add one. I I think I'll just step out there. I'll go first. Susan can share hers and then Tracy, if you have one. So, um, you know, as we, we talked about doing this, I I was, um, it actually was weird. So I had, um, um, I don't, I don't know exactly why it happened, but you know, it's, it's fall, um, hunting season is around the corner.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
And so that's kind of the, the gear that my mind is, is, um, is in right now and, and something that happens, you know, it's also football season with, with my senior son. And so there's some important moments going on there. Just really the opportunity to, to even play is, is amazing. But, you know, fall and, and hunting season is, is something that, that I get geared up for every year. And so, you know, I start doing goofy things like listening and watching to different shows about this time of year about hunting. So there's, there's one out there. I'm sure many, many people know about it. It's called Meat Eater. Um, so I, I was watching an episode of it and
Speaker 2 (28:50):
I've never watched that have you,
Speaker 5 (28:51):
Tracy? I, I have to
Speaker 3 (28:52):
Admit I'm kind of different. I, I, I didn't, I probably expected that maybe you ladies hadn't watched it, but I know I'll have a lot of friends out there who, who in the, the, in the, the ranks of our teachers and staff that have, I do know that for a fact anyways, more so, um, in this episode of Me Eater that I was watching the other night and I actually was watching it laying in bed and my wife was giving me a hard time. But really, no kidding aside, more importantly than, than the hunting aspect of the show, um, it, it caught me in one of the episodes, um, Giannis, who's actually one of the producers of the show, is really good buddies with the, uh, I guess the, the star of the show, Steve. Anyways, they took Gianni's dad on a hunting trip, um, to Alaska, really, because his dad is getting older and they realize that probably if he was gonna be able to make that trip, they were gonna have to do it.
Speaker 3 (29:47):
So this, this particular episode is about that. I'm really not getting, gonna go into the hunting part of it 'cause that's not my point. My point is, at some point in the show in this episode, Gianni's dad is an older man who's had this opportunity that was awesome to go with his son and go to a place that, you know, is completely wild in Alaska. Um, he, he has this little, um, this little portion of the segment in the show where he talks about living in the moment. And so, you know, he talks about just really simply in a, in a two or three minute segment with Steve and his son about, you know, being alive is good and just recognizing that being alive is good and, and trying to value every day that we live and that we get the opportunity to live. You know, being thankful that we're even here or being thankful for wherever we are.
Speaker 3 (30:42):
You know, the good and the bad about wherever we are deciding in our mind, you know what, I'm, I'm gonna live every day that I have to the moment. I'm gonna walk a little bit slower. And I know that's a struggle. Tracy will tell you, Susan will tell you, people that work around me know that I, I I move fast and I really probably honestly move too fast and I need to slow down a little bit. Yeah. And I need to walk a little bit slower. And, and that was kind of one of his points. And, and when you walk a little bit slower, what he, what he was sharing was that when, you know, when you walk a little bit slower, you begin to notice where you're gonna place your feet and you don't miss where you're placing your feet and you realize that where you place your feet every time you take a step is, is a moment.
Speaker 3 (31:28):
And, and if you're not careful, you will begin to just take steps and you'll miss the moments of where you're stepping. And, you know, I, I mean, just kind of where I am in life and what we've been through in the last few months, you know, I've, I'm like many parents out there. I've got a senior in high school. So there literally are steps we're taking right now that we may not take 'em, you know, for sure. A year from now, um, we're gonna be taking very different steps. So don't miss the steps that you're taking right now. Don't miss important footsteps and realize that every footstep there's a, you know, there's a photograph in your mind that, that that has the opportunity to be there if you don't miss it. And if you're not, um, walking past it. And, and really this whole process of, of being thankful for where you are and the moments that you have and not missing the moments, you know, it helps you begin to conjure up whatever else it is that you want in your life.
Speaker 3 (32:21):
You know, what, what, what is it ultimately that you want in your life as opposed to being, um, a good deputy superintendent or a good director of counselors or, you know, a good teacher or a great principal. And I think all those things are worthy, and they're very, very important. There are more important things in life than what we do inside of the school district for each one of us. And I think sometimes when we get so wrapped up in what we're doing and we move so fast, we, we have a tendency sometimes to miss those moments. So that's, that's kind of my can't let go of for, for this week or this month, I guess. Um, something that caught me up in the most, I, I never dreamed that, uh, an episode of Meat Eater that I have watched actually several times would catch me again as we were kind of having this conversation. So that's my can't let go for the, for the
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Day. Okay. Well, Kevin, Susan, what's yours? Yeah, I, I really should've gone first 'cause I'm, mine's not nearly as meaty as yours is, but Oh, that was good.
Speaker 5 (33:39):
Know what
Speaker 2 (33:39):
Magazine you're talking about? Kevin doesn't,
Speaker 3 (33:40):
I have not read it, but I know which one you're, I've seen pic I've seen it before. I've seen the magazine. But
Speaker 2 (33:45):
There's this little video and it's, it's a, it just makes me laugh 'cause I love fall and I love this time of year and it's a, it's a clip of some little pigs and they're in a pumpkin patch and they're, they're dancing around and they have little pumpkin costumes on and it's set to this little fun music and it's just, there's, that's all it is. It's just pigs, you know, in a pumpkin patch. But they're live, they're real pigs and they have these little Halloween pumpkin costumes on and there's people around and they're just all dancing in this little pumpkin patch. And so
Speaker 3 (34:20):
Laugh that time of year.
Speaker 5 (34:21):
Pumpkin.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
Yes, it's
Speaker 3 (34:23):
Nice weather. And, um, I'm ready
Speaker 5 (34:25):
For fall.
Speaker 3 (34:26):
All that. So cool. Tracy,
Speaker 5 (34:27):
I love
Speaker 3 (34:27):
It. Not to put you on a spot, I don't think we prepared you very well for this. No. Is there, is there a can't let go that you have?
Speaker 5 (34:33):
So there is. So, and when my dad first gave it to me, he gave my brother and I both this plaque and we were like, oh my God, that's so cheesy. What my dad like, so weird. But, um, I really love my dad. He like, gives us lots of great advice. And as I've moved into different positions, like I, I rely on my dad. And so it's actually in my office behind my desk. And so I see it all the time. And it's, it's a saying that says, you know, we can't change the wind, but we can adjust ourselves. And so I see it all the time, but throughout this whole, past several months, it's hard to believe how many months I really stop and have to think like that. What a true saying. Like, you know, I, I can't change like what is really going on around me, but I can adjust my attitude.
Speaker 5 (35:21):
I can adjust. I can adjust what, what I'm doing. I'm in control of myself. I'm in control of what's going on. I can change my attitude about things and I can adjust my cells. I can't change the wind, I can't change the circumstances, but I can, I can change what I'm doing about them. I can change my attitude, my beliefs, my um, all of those types of things. I can help those around me. And so, um, even though it was pretty cheesy when I was 19 and my dad gave it to me, um, it's one of those things that I, I realize I fall back on a lot. It's like I'm in control of me. I can take care of myself, I can help those around me, um, and change my attitude about what's going on. And, um, and all of you guys that I work with are, are pretty good at helping me, me do that sometimes and, and put me in my place when I realize that I haven't adjusted my sales very well.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
Well you do a pretty good job of keeping us on track with that too. So that's something Yes, you do. That's a gift you share with other people for sure. So, yes. Anyways, well, and thanks for being here, Tracy. Well,
Speaker 5 (36:22):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 3 (36:23):
Absolutely. Thanks for joining us. We need to have you on again as we can talk about some other things, maybe, you know, at a later time, college, you know, preparedness. I know that's a big thing that's going on for a lot of kids. And then just other things, almost
Speaker 5 (36:36):
It's time to start doing your fafsa, your CMRs. We have, we have lots of things we can talk
Speaker 3 (36:41):
About. That's exactly right. We'll get you back on and talk. And, um, so well Susan, well
Speaker 5 (36:45):
Thanks for having
Speaker 3 (36:46):
Me. I think we've made it our, we've made our way through another episode, third episode. I think we have third episode. Um, again, everybody hope you'll tune in and keep coming back and we'll find other ways. If you have topics you want to talk about, you know, let us know. Yeah, let us know. Um, remember our intent here is just to have kind of an honest, open conversation, kinda like a, an all staff faculty meeting, so to speak. So, um, anyways, that's what we're working towards here with schoolwork. We appreciate Mr. Loomis and Tracy joining us today. Susan, thanks for being with us and, uh, it was always. Thanks Kevin. Fun and we'll talk to you guys next time. Thanks. See you next time.