The Dear John Files

Our Oregon NEA Directors, Judy Harris and Reed Scott-Swalbach, conducted a thought-provoking session on Advocacy around professional practice issues. I'm really honored to have these two incredibly capable and confident women as my friends. They challenge, inspire, and keep me moving toward me being my best version of me. I'm grateful to be surrounded by so many quality and caring friends like these. #OEAadvocacyconference2016 (at Salem Convention Center)

Sunday morning coffee...outside on my patio...in October. What a beautiful day! I love living here. (at Raleigh Hills, Oregon)

One of the joys of jaunting down to Salem for the OEA Advocacy Conference is that I get to hang out with my friend, Tim McFarland, and getting another stamp in my McMenamins' Passport. (at McMenamins Boon's Treasury)

I'm grateful to be working with excellent educators who want to learn more about messaging and using social media to enhance and support their advocacy efforts. (at Salem Convention Center)

...or silence crush the soul. (at Raleigh Hills, Oregon)

Happy Halloween! From my silly roommate. #autumn2016 #travelswithcatolson2016 (at Raleigh Hills, Oregon)

Getting in the seasonal mood. These were supposed to go to the Treasure Box at my classroom but my daughter got to them first. #autumn2016 (at Raleigh Hills, Oregon)

It's small, but cozy and all the boxes are gone. I'm home. #travelswithcatolson2016 #Oregon #autumn2016 #gratitude (at Raleigh Hills, Oregon)

Since 2011, I've made it a priority to choose my home based on its proximity to a bike path. That wasn't on the priority list for this move, at least not consciously. My subconscious must have been hard at work because guess what I discovered within a short distance of my place? (at Fanno Creek Trail)

Beautiful morning. (at Cedar Mill, Oregon)

Fourth grade and all the personality. You gotta love this. Read it all. 4th grade, cheese, and the whole pakege.

Discovering the delights of a different city this year. Life in the burbs. But this isn't your ordinary urban sprawl suburb. Down the road and around the corner is this cute little coffee shop in an oversized shed. One wall has windowed garage doors that open up. The shop is surrounded by a gardening/landscaping shop. I'm sitting outside enjoying a basic coffee with cream. What a beautiful day! (at Antonio's House Of Coffee)

Hanging out with leader educators and practicing my photography skills. (Haven't had the big camera out since before I left Europe. That's far too long between photo sessions.) It's there's energy here and I love that these folks are passionate about creating the quality educational opportunities for all Oregon students. (at Oregon Education Association)

Enjoying a cinnamon taste of Lithuania in my Polish pottery mug on a pleasant rainy fall day in Raleigh Hills. The cookies are only a little stale. But then, it's been over two months since I purchased them in Vilnius. It might actually be more like six months. Oops! I was saving them for the perfect rainy day. #travelswithcatolson #thedearjohnfiles #autumn2016 (at Raleigh Hills, Oregon)

My drive home after my 38th first day of school. (No, not all of those are as the teacher.) I learned that this is definitely not the route to take going home. Fortunately, I miraculously rented a place close enough to where I work, that I was on this stretch of OR217 for a mile...if that. Just another reason to be grateful. #travelswithcatolson2016 #Oregon #portlandmetroarea #autumn2016 (at Beaverton, Oregon)

Really grateful for my Math Studio training right now. The PD in 549c was excellent and I'm grateful for it! (at Raleigh Hills, Oregon)

Look what just arrived! #travelswithcatolson2016