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Important Upcoming Dates
Friday 12/18/20: Last Day of Fall Semester
Saturday 12/19/20: Winter Break Begins
Monday 1/4/21: Student Holiday / Staff PD Day
Tuesday 1/5/21: First Day of Spring Semester
Saturday 1/9/21:
Monday 1/18/21: MLK Day: Student/Staff Holiday
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By Ted Graf, Head of School
Just before Thanksgiving break, my advisees and I conducted some collaborative research on gratitude. I was hoping that it might propel us into the holiday, and I'm pleased to report that it did. In fact, one advisee decided to make daily gratitude lists. In short,
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we were curious about how gratitude affects us both psychologically and physiologically.
Here are some of our findings:
Question #1: What is gratitude, exactly? An emotion? A concept? An attitude or outlook? (Kat, Paulina, Dixie) -
Gratitude has two key components, according to Robert Emmons (possibly the world's leading scientific expert on gratitude): 1) an affirmation of goodness in the world and 2) the recognition that the source of goodness is outside of oneself
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Being able to appreciate what's around you, even though not everything is wonderful.
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"Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude." Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the comments section of our Google Doc, Henry added, "I think this is important, not only showing appreciation for something material, but appreciating intangibles as well."
We are so excited to welcome Ann Benson to the Early Childhood program at the Springs Campus this school year. Ann is Lead Guide in the Primary Bluebirds classroom.
Ann's Montessori journey started in college when she was observing in a Montessori classroom. She said the moment she stepped in the classroom she "had found [her] 'home' as a teacher." She also found a home in bilingual education after spending her junior year in college attending school in Mexico. Ann graduated with her Elementary Education degree with a bilingual endorsement from the University of Texas.
After college, Ann went onto Philadelphia where she acquired her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) certification. She recalls her training with Mother Isabel Eugenia who was trained by and taught alongside Dr. Maria Montessori. She recalled the experience as "pure magic."
Over the past thirty-four years, Ann has spent time teaching in Montessori schools, traditional preschools, and public schools. Her love for all things education, Spanish language, and music inspired her to start Somos Amigos, a well-known music and spanish program for young children and parents. She spent the past twenty-five years as the owner, director, and instructor of that program in two different cities--Ft. Lauderdale and Austin. However, the Montessori classroom called Ann back. "I missed seeing the same children everyday," Ann shared. She sold her business in 2019, and after hearing her parents from Somos Amigos rave about Headwaters School, she checked in and found an open position to pursue.
When she isn't sharing all of her talents, Ann enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially playing with her granddaughter, Colette.
What Brought Ann to Headwaters School I feel honored and privileged to be part of the Headwaters community. I am the Lead Guide in the Bluebirds classroom. Each day I get to not only teach the Montessori curriculum, but also include music and Spanish experiences with my students. I love being a Montessori teacher, bottom line.
Fun Facts About Ann -
I'm bilingual. I love the Hispanic culture. I have a lot of friends that live or are from Mexico and Spain. It's been a big part of my life.
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I'm a new grandmother. I have a thirteen-month-old granddaughter. She is a huge part of my life.
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I love to sing and play guitar. Circle time is probably my favorite part of the day.
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I used to be a championship horseback rider. I would do jumping. My parents owned a stable in Del Valle where I grew up. I had horses and used to show all over the United States. That was my passion. That, music, and kids. I still have the music and kids, but am now afraid to get back on a horse!
Have you heard that Headwaters is creating a community Makerspace on our River Campus in downtown Austin? This collaborative space will allow Creators of all ages to learn skills and bring ideas to fruition with high-tech or no-tech tools. As we work to create this new space and before we can schedule workshops, we are reaching out with an in-kind donation request/maker sign-up to gather your ideas, expertise, and unused tools. Check it out and contribute here. Curious to learn more about this and other S.T.E.A.M. initiatives at the school? Reach out to Keelan and Alex at advancement@headwaters.org.
Dysmaxia
Senior Max Craig took an idea from Project Week to explore and inform about "hidden disabilities" to the next level with an interesting and interactive website. Max shared that he started this work as a way to learn more about dyspraxia. During last year's Project Week, Max did video interviews and went on to do more research for his Senior Thesis (also known as the IB Extended Essay). Then, with all that new knowledge, he made a website for kids, parents, and teachers to know if they or their family has dyspraxia. Click here to view www.dysmaxia.com.
We are so thankful to everyone who has shopped with the Headwaters Business Directory, added an entry, or updated their business. If you haven't joined in, there is no better time to check out the businesses of those in the community at this link. The directory has a table of contents, as well as a special spot at the top for COVID-related updates. You can always find the link in your campus Weekly Update and in the Resources section of the Nest, too. Don't forget to submit your entry at this link.
Who doesn't love giving a little something extra while checking things off your to-do list? Shop at any of these places and the companies will donate a portion of the sale to Headwaters! See more ways to contribute here.
Here is the latest visual trivia to familiarize you with new spots or share memorable places on our three campuses. Do you have a picture you would like to share? Email it to communications@headwaters.org.
Take a look and name where this spot appears--the answer will be in the next Current!
Last Current's photo (below) featured the Art Room on the River Campus
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Do you want something shared with the community or a student spotlight?
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