Who knew that a simple yes would lead me here...

Five years...
Ten seasons...
Twelve girls (six of them since the beginning)...

How did I get so lucky to coach my volleyball team? The timing of starting to coach at my school truly worked out - I cannot imagine a better bunch of young women with whom to have traveled this road.

Back in fourth grade, it was an amazing game if the girls could get their underhand serves over the net consistently (and more than just a few in a row). Over time, that changed to placing underhand serves and then to serving overhand. Now, some of my kiddos even jump serve (which is something I didn't even do in high school) - but that skill is no thanks to me; it's thanks to their club coaches.

More important than their skills, be they serving or passing or hitting, is their attitude and how they treat one another. These things have been a rollercoaster, especially when the girls hit their teenage years. How many times did I share a hug or lend a listening ear to girls who were upset with one another due to something that happened at school or that was sent via a text? Probably too many to count. But, for the most part, they've outgrown the bickering and grudges; though, as they are still just 13 and 14 years old, these still surface from time to time.

And, most importantly, I hope they will remain young women of prayer. Each game and practice is offered up to Mary, our Mother - the girls start right into the Hail Mary after circling up, for they have been doing that since our very first practice together. I hope they realize just how important and special Mary is for our faith and for their lives. And I personally pray that Mary continues to watch over them as they go on to high school.

When you approach the end of something, it becomes harder and harder to let go. While I don't teach 8th grade this year, I guarantee you that I will be a complete mess at graduation (and our last game in a few weeks). Each of them (and their incredible parents) has such a special place in my heart that will never be replaced. And I give thanks each day for saying yes to coaching 4th grade volleyball way back in 2013...

Coaching <---> Teaching

Friday afternoon proved to be pretty interesting and insightful for the 8th graders who worked with two of their teachers to plan and execute our first annual "Dolphin Day." The gist of the hour-long session that was hosted for grades 4-7 was that the 8th graders paired/tripled up to prepare activities ranging from a trivia game to how to draw cartoons, from how to make a Vine video to how to perfect your soccer skills. It was pretty amazing to see what the 8th graders chose to and were able to do...except for the group I was supervising...

I thought being with the basketball skills group would be a fun way to spend the hour. Instead, I spent a lot of my time getting two out of the three eighth graders to run their drills. At times, one eighth grader was doing the drills with the younger kids while the other two were messing around on one of the side basketball hoops. And they wondered why the kids weren't listening or why their station wasn't going well.

What I noticed from watching this all unfold was the close parallel between a good coach and a good teacher. Now, this is not new insight by any means, and I'm pretty sure I've even noticed it before, but it was a good reminder:


1. A good coach models for his players / A good teacher models for his students.

2. A good coach plans detailed drills and games, and he makes those activities clear for the players / A good teacher creates detailed lesson plans and clear directions for his students.

3. A good coach supports his players, never demeaning them but rather correcting form, attitude, etc. when necessary / A good teacher supports his students, praising effort for persistence and creating a warm environment where students take academic risks.

I'm sure the list of similarities goes on, for, at the end of the day, a coach is a teacher and a teacher is a coach.


The 8th graders apparently debriefed after the hour-long session, and it seems that many of the students came to the realization of how important it is to plan, prepare, and execute with precision and detail. In the wise words of John Wooden, "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." So true, Coach Wooden, so true...

I'm glad we, as a school, tried this new tradition, and I hope it continues next year. Go Dolphins!

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In other (unrelated) news, things have been anything but dull around here...Last night I met up with my sister for dinner before chaperoning the 7 & 8th grade Deanery dance. This morning, my sister and I tackled our last LONG long run (20 miles) before the marathon - next week we start to taper! After a nap, I ran a few errands, and, when I came home, I finally nailed the necklace holder I had ordered into the wall. I am proud to say I nailed it in straight and free-handed the first time.

Phew. I think I might read a bit (if I can decide what book to read...) before going to meet up with friends for dinner and see "Jesus Christ Superstar," which I am hoping lives up to the hype.

which one to choose...?

Tomorrow I need to get cracking on these final grad school projects...

Take Time to Celebrate!

A coincidence or not a coincidence? That is the question.

Yes, William Shakespeare's birthday (and death, some say) is on April 23rd. It may or may not have inspired some cocktails and frivolity (all in moderation) at my sister's bachelorette party this weekend...

Antony and Cleopatra

A Midsummer Night's Dream

It's like "Cards Against Humanity"...but with Shakespeare plays and quotes!

Macbeth

Yes, that was all nice, but the best part about this weekend was the excuse to get some wonderful ladies together to celebrate my favorite person and her upcoming wedding:

She's just about 100 days away from the big day...but who's counting?

This weekend's events coupled with the incredible weather and sunshine from today has me going into this week on a full tank. :)

Where does the time go?

Maybe it's just me, but I feel that these two weeks back from Easter break have passed relatively quickly. It could be because my weeks have been filled with plenty of good things that have kept me busy, but even during the school days, time seems to be marching forward.

Again, maybe it's just me. 

But, truth be told, the end of the school year will be here before we know it.

Each year seems to go by faster than the last. I don't quite understand - I stood by the window in the stairwell leading up to the fourth floor at school yesterday, and I thought about how many times I've looked out that very window just this year (and then in my whole time here to date)...why does it all become such a blur? Is it possible to slow it down?

I definitely don't have an answer; though, I wish I did. Maybe one day (soon) I'll figure it out.

While I'm pondering (and maybe now you are too), I'll leave you with these photos from the week -->

RIP Carl Kassell

A foggy day in Chicago...

Fr. Greg Boyle @ OSP

gift from students --> foil / Foyle - get it? It's amusing how funny this still is to the kiddos...

As the week winds down, I wish you the very best. Hopefully the weekend will pass slowly. (Personally, I'm excited to celebrate my sister's bachelorette this weekend - movies, ice cream, good friends, and pajamas is the way she wants it. Count me in!)

One Mass

In the beautifully written and illustrated children's book, The Weight of a Mass, the faith of the subjects in the kingdom has grown cold. The king and his bride are to be wed in the evening at a Mass in the cathedral; yet, the people do not plan to attend. 

In the kingdom's bakery, preparations are being made for the royal feast, including the prized wedding cake. A beggar woman enters the shop, and says,

If you give me crust of bread, I will offer the Mass tonight for you.

The baker is indignant; though, his son insists he listen to the woman. Instead, the baker taunts her by writing "one Mass" on a torn off piece of tissue paper. He places it on the balance and flicks in a dried out crust of bread. Miraculously, the bread does not cause the balance to be weighed down. So, the baker adds more items - fresh donuts, cakes, and breads - yet there is no change. The people are incredulous. Finally, the baker puts the wedding cake on the scale. 

Nothing.

As the bells toll to call the people to the wedding Mass, those in the shop process into the streets. The baker, his son, and the beggar woman follow. In the end, the baker apologizes to the woman for not having faith. She, too, apologizes, for she only wished for a crust of bread in exchange for one Mass. They realize that they did not know the weight of the Mass...

Read the book - it's beautifully told and illustrated!

I read this book to my 7th graders, and then they did some reflection using post-its to answer questions around the room based on the book and its symbolism. I have included some of their responses below; though, you may have to click on the photos in order to actually read the writing, as it is very small. My apologies. Many of them really seemed to get the story, and I hope they keep this story at the forefront of their minds as we begin our next unit on the Catholic Mass.

Q: What is the role of the beggar woman in the story?

Q: Why is the story set in a bakery?

Q: What is the last item weighed against the Mass? What does it represent?

Q: Who experiences a conversion of heart in this story?

Q: How much does a Mass weigh?

I feel like adults would very much benefit from this story too, as it is easy in today's society to forget the weight of the Mass.

P.S. - I got a BONUS this weekend by getting to head to Notre Dame for the day to meet the new ACE Chicago teachers (and to spend time with some of the current ones). Even though it was a short visit, I tried to make the most of it (rotten weather and all):

Grotto visit

Golden Dome selfie

Touchdown Jesus!

post-dinner smiles with the crew

It's hard to believe that the next time I will be on campus is going to be this summer for the final wrap-up, presentation, and graduation. Love thee, ND!

I left (a piece of) my heart in Florida...

“Life takes you unexpected places; love brings you home.”

As students were being dismissed for our week-long vacation from school, I had a good laugh when I overheard one of my coworkers:

Co-worker: "Florida? All of these kids are going to Florida, but no one's actually FROM Florida..."

Me: (to self) Lies...There just aren't that many of us. 😇

Lucky me, though, that I was able to head HOME to Florida for spring break. The weather was absolutely beautiful, offering sunshine (except for the day when my sister and I did our marathon training run, when it did, of course, rain) and temps hovering around 80 degrees.

While there was work to be done for grad school, I did have some time to relax and not worry too much about looming deadlines. There was plenty of time for visiting with family, watching movies, celebrating with high school friends, sipping coffee, running, and taking in the sunshine...

ice cream... :)

My thoughts EVERY morning...

These kiddos grow SO fast!

Vacations and visits always come to an end too soon. While it's exciting to come back to finish up the school year (both for grad school and teaching), it's hard knowing I won't see my parents till June, other family till August (thank goodness for my sister's wedding to make that happen!), and friends till...? But I thank God for the time I do have and am grateful for all of the people who have joined me along this journey of life.

Now, back up in cold country, I leave you with this thought from Oliver Wendell Holmes:

Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

No matter where I go in life, Florida (and the people there) will always have a piece of my heart...