Recent Changes

Lindsay - I was born in Alaska, but raised in Boise. I went to my first 3 years of school at Campus Elementary (the old school on BSU campus - right behind the building we will be in all summer!) I attended Capital High, and had some of the most amazing teachers in my 13 years attending Boise schools. During high school I was certain I wanted to be a lawyer. My after school job was as a runner for a couple of law firms in town, and I truly thought that was my calling. After high school I went to Washington State - Go Cougs! While I was in Pullman I learned so much about myself. I traveled, met amazing people, and I changed to my major to teaching. I am so grateful I did! I love teaching, learning, and seeing kids connect and grow. For now, this is the perfect job for me. I taught middle school English in Las Vegas for my first two years, but two years was long enough in Sin City! I came back to Boise and I have been teaching at Eagle Middle for the last 5 years. I love all activities outdoors, and I am passionate about running, mountain biking, and skiing I married my best friend 2 years ago, and we have a golden retriever named Duke who completes our family (for now!)
Melisa - I was born and raised in Boise, graduated from Meridian High and never in a million years thought I would settle down in Middleton Idaho. I went to the U of I where I met my husband and tried out about half a dozen different majors. Lee continued on to get his degree in business and while I stayed out home with our two children Lindsey and Devon. I continued to stay home for the next 9 years and enjoyed every minute, but when we moved back to Boise I decided it was time for me to go back to school and accomplish my dream. I graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors in English teaching from BSU. I quickly discovered I have a passion for working with at-risk youth and have taught in the alternative setting since the fall of 2008. I love learning, teaching, and pushing myself to grow and improve. When I'm not running my kids to softball, baseball, cross country, or football practice, we all enjoy snowmobiling, hiking, camping, fishing, cycling, and just spending time together doing anyting active.
Merri Ann- Almost as soon as I said the words, " I think I want to be a teacher," I wanted to retract them, but it became apparent that teaching is my life's calling. I grew huckleberries. I'm just as directionally challenged aslike my mom, gifted kids, who are now my huckleberry picking squad; Greg is 14, Olivia will turn 11 in June,is 11, and Annie our church. I cheated my way through Spanish 1 in high school because I never thought I'd need to be able to speak it . . . until I lived in Mexico for a summer. I've been coming year. I teach literacy classes in Spanish and adult ESL classes at church, as well as the 21st Century After School Program at my district's alternative high school, and then driver's ed (in the car). In my free time I teach piano and voice lessons to a neighbor, follow my kids around, run, hike, camp, and lift weights.
Michelle -I am a self titled science geek who is truly passionate about what I do. I have been teaching middle school for 14 years and forget I am not an 8th grader sometimes. I began my teaching career on the Georgia Coast, then Las Vegas NV and currently teach 8thgrade science at Kimberly Middle School. I have lived in Kimberly with my Husband, and my 8 and 10 year old boys for the last 6 years. The double duty of teaching and raising kids does not leave much time for hobbies, so besides being hooked on the BBC America shows Top Gear and Dr. Who, and trying to fit in exercise, my husband and I both love to travel, we recently spent spring break in Maui and are planning for Europe.
Nic - Born and raised in Montana, the eMpTy state. I moved to Nampa five years ago to teach middle school. I love my work; it's pretty fantastic. I also am fascinated by movies, music, plants, science, and books. The only TV I watch is 30 Rock and The Legend of Korra (Is anyone else geeking out with me on this?). There's a couple of things that make me nervous: talent shows, wedding ceremonies, and writing bios. I'm calm and very easy-going though. The fewer hills I die on, the more battles I can fight. Ya know?

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Announcements
from June 15:29: {exaggerator.pdf} !!!
Tomorrow after class, willing and able fellows are invited to Happy Hour on the Ram patio. 4:30ish.
your $$ tto LindsayttoLindsay Niederklein
by Monday afternoon.
Bring your own beverage, and if you'd like, a dessert to share. Pizza will be there at 6:00, but you can head to the park right after class or zip home first if you want. Blankets and lawn chairs would be helpful. Directions to the park will be distributed tomorrow.
Check out the discussion forum on Peter Johnston's Opening Minds (our common text) here!

Group Initiative
Check out the Group Initiative Planning Page!
Toward the end of the summer institute, we will begin exploring ways for us to continue our work together. We will select a group initiative that we will engage in throughout the fellowship year (and, possibly, beyond).
The group initiative must:

Group Initiative Planning
Draft of action plans:

Group Initiative Planning
Draft of action plans:
{Group Initiative Action Plan, Student and Teacher Programs.docx}
{Group Initiative Action Plan, Recognition and Publication.docx}
{Group Initiative Action Plan, Outreach and Public Relations.docx}
{Group Initiative Action Plan, Community Partnerships and Fundraising.docx}
Finalized action plans:
This is a place for committees to share ideas and information.