Two years ago on a grey, stormy in-service day at South Mountain Middle School in Allentown Pa, two teachers sat in a classroom and talked about their passions. One said they wanted to write childrens books, another said they loved designing curriculum and training teachers. When they left school that day they had formulated a plan to write together. They had no support, and no promise that it would amount to anything. They spent many nights in the basement toiling away, correcting words, searching for misconceptions, thinking through every possible scenario. They perfected their system through blood sweat and tears, all the while their belief that what they were creating was good carried them through.
Ali and the book
Two years later, infront of a small crowd at the National Science Teachers Association in Philadelphia, they presented their book.
I am one of the teachers :)
I've had so many once in a lifetime moments this year, but this is one that I really feel like I own. Ali and I began the Think Scientifically project on our own, and through my new job at Goddard I was able to make it into a solid, funded, elementary education program. Our first published book is called "The Day Joshua Jumped Too Much." While it isn't the first story we wrote together, it is the first that we have seen through to completion. Two illustrators, edits, graphics, and typos - the road has been long and hard. But we started it, and we are finishing it. I can't express how good it feels.
While getting ready for our presentation at NSTA we kept saying to each other "It's really happening!" over and over... I can't believe it's really happening. Ali and I work so well together. We bring out the best in each other creatively. We have similar goals, and we understand the scope of this project like only founders can. I never dreamed it would get to this place. I hoped it would. I couldn't see this place from the beginning. It just goes to show the surprises life can throw at you. It's taught me never to stop pushing, and to dream harder and bigger.
Dream harder and bigger.
"Shoot for the moon, cause if you miss, you'll land among the stars."
I am one of the teachers :)
I've had so many once in a lifetime moments this year, but this is one that I really feel like I own. Ali and I began the Think Scientifically project on our own, and through my new job at Goddard I was able to make it into a solid, funded, elementary education program. Our first published book is called "The Day Joshua Jumped Too Much." While it isn't the first story we wrote together, it is the first that we have seen through to completion. Two illustrators, edits, graphics, and typos - the road has been long and hard. But we started it, and we are finishing it. I can't express how good it feels.
While getting ready for our presentation at NSTA we kept saying to each other "It's really happening!" over and over... I can't believe it's really happening. Ali and I work so well together. We bring out the best in each other creatively. We have similar goals, and we understand the scope of this project like only founders can. I never dreamed it would get to this place. I hoped it would. I couldn't see this place from the beginning. It just goes to show the surprises life can throw at you. It's taught me never to stop pushing, and to dream harder and bigger.
Dream harder and bigger.
"Shoot for the moon, cause if you miss, you'll land among the stars."
