AWARD

So, I was nominated and won an award. I. I attended a banquet that honored me, retirees of the CF district and some others. Here is a copy of the amazing speech that Jim Young, the teacher I work with every single day, gave. I was moved to tears and had to share the nice things my friend had to say about me.



Maggie Grinstead
CFEA Education Support Professional Award
April 15, 2011

I am privileged tonight to honor Maggie Grinstead as our CFEA Education Support Professional for 2011. I knew from the first week of school that I’d nominate Maggie for her work, and every day since, my students and I continue to be blessed by her presence in our classroom.

I tried to write about Maggie in a regular type of speech, but it was getting too wordy.. (who would ever guess that from me? )) so finally I came up with the idea to come up with an alphabet list to describe Maggie. (which is still probably too wordy.)

A- advocating for children is her number one priority. She is looking for accommodations that will allow students to show what they know and build their skills.

B- Busy.. she likes to have things to do.

C – caring and compassionate; the kids know that Maggie is a person they can go to for help, she will answer their questions, give a well-deserved compliment, and always a friendly smile.

D – doer .. she is always willing to do something to help anyone out. She is dedicated to doing her very best!

E – extraordinary and exemplary in every way!

F- family is very important to her. She’s a great mom. She and her husband Scott have two kids - Jacob and Allie; Maggie is close to her parents, sisters and brother, and her broader family.

G – goals for her students –she comes up with modifications and accommodations to meet their academic, social, and behavioral goals and needs

H –heat.. something she’s not had much in my classroom.. it is always cold.. this winter she’s usually had several layers on and even her cuddle duds..

I – intuitive .. impressive, and takes initiative,

J- jobs around the school.. she is willing to help out other paras and do things for others.. if something needs to be done, she can do it

K – kid oriented: She will often say, “This is what I would want for my son and daughter.”

L –love you.. this is a daily ritual her kids have as they leave to go to the playground.. However, Maggie and I have learned to be careful about our conversations being taken out of context…we were walking down the hall one day, Maggie was telling me the story about catching her son Jacob running in the hall.. when he saw her, he said “love you” thinking that would be a way to soften her reminder of school rules.. Well … another associate heard the “Love you” part of that story.. she came to Maggie to ask what was the reason she said “love you” to me!

M – mentor to other ESPs in our building- She has helped compile a check list of items to go over with new staff members regarding the contract, a tour of the building, how to access email , and to make sure that they feel welcome and knowledgeable about their new position. Their hope in turn, is to have less turnover and better morale among the paraeducators at Hansen. She serves as a familiar face to go to with questions and concerns.

N – neat and organized.., she has put up with my messy desk and piles.. at times it is my sense of organization..

0 –observant of students – she keeps an eye on every student and notices things that help explain changes in students’ behaviors. Her observations are perfect in gathering data for IEP and GEI students…. She’s great about giving those “I noticed” compliments to the students too!

P – PTA –she has done a lot for Hansen’s PTA as carnival co- chair, secretary, the fundraising queen for our school playground; talent show committee, the giving tree, and she’s a fantastic room mom according to Laurie Wyckoff.

Q – quiet and unassuming.. she doesn’t like fussing about her

R – Robert – a young man that she’s worked with now for several years; she’s watched him grow in his skills, shared in his humor, tolerates his changing moods, but most important… he knows he always has her!

S – Shawtez – another young man she supports; she is always trying to teach him manners and encouraging him to make good choices; a real tribute to what she’s done for him.. he’s asked her if she could be his mom.. I owe her some adult beverages!

T – treats.. Maggie is a great cook.. She is always baking and making goodies for staff gatherings. the recipe is usually posted on email soon afterwards.

U – understanding of the role of the Association. Her mom has been a member of the “union” in her hometown. Maggie remembers growing up and seeing her mom be part of the negotiations team. Maggie is the CFESP treasurer – it is what she can do right now as busy as she is with her kids and other activities.

V – valued volunteer

W – Wonderful; willing to do whatever .. she’s done all the putzy tasks for my grade level and me like counting out lots of print orders, filing, taking notes, googling information for me while we’re discussing things in class.. and a zillion other things

XYZ.. like etc.. there is so much more about Maggie I could share.

Maggie, I respect the work you do.. You are truly an extraordinary and exceptional professional. I have tried to make sure I’ve said thank you every day for everything you’ve done for my students and me.

Tonight, with great appreciation for your contributions to our school and the lives of children, CFEA is honored to present you with the 2011 CFEA Education Support Professional Award!

I THINK SPRING HAS ARRIVED... Yep, I think Spring has sprung and I couldn't be happier. Our heat is off, the flannel sheets are gone & there is no snow on the ground. I even have a lone daffodil blooming. Yep, it's finally here! Here's our what's gone on since my last post:

• Jake has had baseball practice twice a week. He loves everything about his new team. He comes home happy & positive. Yay!


• Allie is still going to UNICC weekly. They are preparing for 2 performances in May. She can't wait.


• Both kids are finishing up religious ed for the year. Next year, we are switching churches. I am enrolling them in a program through the Lutheran church. Jake's basketball coach is one of the people in charge of the youth programs and the programs seems to fit my kid's needs more than our current church. Both kids are thrilled to switch.


• Allie is still going to tutoring for math once a week.


• I got my hair cut and colored. I went crazy and got some bangs cut into my hair. I love them and will go with more at my next appointment.


• We had a week off for Spring Break in March. The kids and I spent a few days with my family. We went out for dinner to celebrate Kim & Will's birthdays. We went to Incredible Pizza to play, it is like Chuck E Cheese's on steroids! The kids loved it! They also got to play with their cousins and their friends that live in Uncle Michael & Aunt Kim's neighborhood. Overall, we had a nice, relaxing trip.


• I had my yearly doctor appointment. The doctor found a lump in my left breast. She suspected that it was a cyst, but just to be sure I had a mammogram done. The mammo came back normal and no further tests were run. I was quite relieved. It was a very LONG couple of days waiting for the mammo results. Your mind sure does wander and mess with you. Lot's of "what if's" were going on!


• Allie & I went to a bridal shower for my co-worker Amy. It was a nice time.


• Jake went to his friend Mason's birthday party. They saw a movie and had a sleepover. He was exhausted when he got home.


• Jake played in his last basketball tournament of the season. They won their first 2 games very easily. The won the last game in OT and it was a nail biter! They won the whole tournament. He played on a team with just a few of his normal teammates and then some other guys from another team. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they all did considering that they really hadn't played together. Jake looked really good during the tournament. He scored a bunch, had tons of rebounds and played great defense. We were pretty proud!


• Allie went to her friend's Tessa and Sami's birthday parties. They were held together at the pool.


• Allie had a Brownie meeting.


• Jake ran in a 5k. He ran the race in 25:05 and placed 2nd in his age group. Pretty good for a kid that didn't train!


• Jake had an end of the year basketball party. All of the 5th grade Tiger ball boys got together for pizza, desserts, soda and dodgeball. Jake loved every minute of it.


• Jake spent the night at his friend Paul's house. They also saw a late movie and had a good time.


• I had the stomach flu. I was quite sick all night long. I can't remember the last time I felt so awful. Scott took great care of me while I was stuck in bed (for about 48 hours).


• Allie had a doctor appoint to get a planter's wart removed from her toe. That stinker won't go away!


• I went to a girl's night dinner at a new restaurant. The food was good, the conversation was great and being kid free for a few hours was wonderful!


• We went to the Godfather's night fundraiser with our friends Kristin, Cathi, Karen & their kids. Good thing we went early and were almost the only people in the place. We were a loud bunch.


• I went to a Lia Sophia party at my friend Denise's house. I ordered way too much jewelry, but had a ball.


• Scott & I went a hockey game with some of my coworkers. It was lots of fun getting out!


• Allie went to her friend Beth's birthday party.


• Allie & I went to see the play Beauty and the Beast. It was awesome. We had such a great afternoon.


• Coming up: practices, PTA, ISEA banquet, Talent Show tryouts and waiting for my brother's baby to arrive!

Cousins at Osaka (taken on my cell...hence the poor quality) Tournament winners

Happy birthday Kim!

Jake at the pizza place

Al at the pizza place over break

Drew & Maddie decorating Kim's b-day cupcakes.