Spotlight on student Rachelle

 Spotlight on Student- Rachelle Taylor

     This week for my spotlight on a previous student of mine, I would like to spotlight Rachelle Taylor.  I remember in fifth grade Rachelle was so excited about learning!  Everything we studied, she was all in, and gave it 100%!  Working in groups was easy for her, because she was a team player.  I’m so excited she is sharing her talents with lots of children and adults, because she is a teacher!

     I remember when we were doing W.O.W. (Working on the Work to make work more engaging for students), and we studied about Sound and Light. Her group did such a great job!  I will never forget their performance with their instruments. She used a flashlight, styrofoam, and popcorn inside the styrofoam to make an instrument that produced sound and light. They wrote their own song and performed before the class.  They also learned so much about sound and light. I think every student in the class was engaged. It was great and I was so proud of them!

     She is using her talents and gifts while starting her 11th year of teaching.  She has taught kindergarten and 1st grade. (currently 1st). I think kindergarten and first grade are such important grades and require such a special and wonderful teacher. She has been awarded Green Apple Teacher, Distinguished Classroom Teacher and Teacher of the Year throughout her journey! Wow, that’s impressive! 

     She currently serves as a Multi Classroom Leader. This means she not only teaches first graders— she also mentors a future teacher for three years and coaches  her team!  She says this is very rewarding and a privilege!  That sounds just like her.  She was always helping others and loved being a part of a team, while in fifth grade, and she continues this today. She encourages others and loves to see others succeed! I can see she is still enjoying learning and giving! 

     She loves spending time with her family during her free time. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for eight years and they have an amazing seven year old little boy, Jackson! I am so proud of Rachelle!  Thank you so much for making a positive difference in our world!Rachelle Ann TaylorPatrice Carter Denise Ivey

 

My 2nd book- A Little Book About Peace

 It isn’t enough to talk about peace. 

One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough

 to believe in it. One must work at it.” 

          —Eleanor Roosevelt 

I’m excited because my 2nd book about peace was published today, and is on amazon.  This is a description of my book

This book deals with important issues like focusing  on our attitude, finances, setting goals, never giving up, being content no matter what our circumstances are, and putting others first. Suggestions on how to react to the different issues and research about the quotes are also included. Referring to a single quote a day and reflecting on how you used it, could be a very important step in your growth to a more peaceful life. The book discusses how striving to help others is a central focus of inner peace, as well as world peace.

If you can part with a around $10 and would like to read one of my books and help me pass peace, here is the link.  Thank you for spreading peace and kindness.

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-About-Peace-2nd/dp/B0B5KQD69H/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23YLBOE46F6IY&keywords=a+little+book+about+peace+y+Denise+ivey&qid=1657331785&sprefix=a+little+book+about+peace+y+denise+ivey%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1

 If you are looking for some great Fourth of July entertainment, On July 1st, you can bring your blanket or folding chairs and celebrate our Independence together with some great tunes, as one of my former students, Drake Jennings will be performing at JaxFest, Jacksonville High School football stadium, Friday evening, July 1st, at 6:45 P.M.!!!  Fun for the whole family!!!  Stick around as right after the show, the City of Jacksonville will blow up a lot of fireworks for your enjoyment!!!  He hopes to see YOU there!!!!

       

     This week I would like to spotlight Drake Jennings.  In fifth grade, I had no doubt Drake would grow up to be some type of performer with a great message.  While in my class I remember a passion project where Drake dressed up like a historic character and entertained a whole group of students as well as parents. His knowledge of the facts of history and beyond were amazing!  He welcomed questions from anyone, as he stood in confidence and enjoyed every minute.  I was so proud of him!

     I know his parents have encouraged his talents, because he traveled to different places dressing and performing as Elvis, and was even on the cover of a magazine, because he was so great!  His music career has really taken off.

     A couple of months ago he went up to Huntsville to play with the Healed By The Blood Praise Band and said it was a wonderful experience!  He and his band recorded and filmed this for the "Alabama Gospel Roots" show on PBS.  This performance is posted on Drake’s Facebook page, and the  performance starts at around the 36 minute mark in the video. Also, his band went to Bessemer about 3 weeks ago to film for the 100th episode of "Alabama Gospel Roots" and he will post more about that when he receives the information. 

     I am so proud of Drake, and I know he is making a positive difference in so many people’s lives with his message in song.  He has always been so talented, but he is also a wonderful and kind person.  I’m so glad Drake continues to entertain us and make our world better!

     I hope you will be able to go out and support him and his band tonight at the Jacksonville High School football stadium!  I’m sure you won’t be disappointed! Congrats, Drake!

Weekly Post of what I am doing for peace.

 Every day, I’m going to go out and look at the sunset, and make a pic of it.  I’m going to vary the time I look each day by a few minutes, and then add all those pics in a photo collage.  My grandsons will be here 3 of the days, so they will look with me. Then on Sunday afternoon, I’m going to do a piece of art using all the photos.  You can choose to do whatever kind of art you would like-painting, collage, drawing, abstract, whatever,

Spotlight on previous student- Patrice Carter

 Spotlight on a previous student- Patrice Carter

     I will always remember Patrice for her kindness. I never heard her say anything bad about anyone, so I’m not surprised that she is working as a Mental Health Therapist (School Based). She is able to provide mental health services to children/adolescents while at the schools. As needed, she also helps out with outpatient services during the summer.

     She chose this occupation because of all that is going on in this world.  She 

wanted to make sure that our children/adolescents are equipped with the right skills to cope.  Every day, I see the need for this.  With a pandemic and so much violence in the world, it is not surprising that more and more children have had mental health issues, and need help.

     Her career as a mental health therapist (school based) allows her to do just that, while in a school setting. She is very passionate about mental health and enjoys being a part of the process of witnessing first hand how children/adolescents begin to thrive when given the correct tools, guidance, and encouragement to utilize those skills.  She also provides a listening ear to help guide them through the challenges of life.  She said at times her work can be very challenging, but Patrice never gives up on these precious children!  I’m so proud of Patrice and so happy she is working to help children who need someone like her, who is kind and compassionate.  Thank you, Patrice for making a positive difference in our world!  Our world is better because of you!

Weekly peace idea

 This week for peace, I am going to color in some of my photos using the app color scape.  I also love using adult coloring books.  Try it, and see how relaxing it is and how quick you can create something from a photo you like.  This is my first one.  This is the app.

 Spotlight on one of my previous students- Katie Fuller

I’m so proud of Katie!  She is practicing family law in her hometown.  She believes in giving back!  

I remember Katie in fifth grade. She was a great writer, loved to learn, and was kind to everyone. She always had a smile, and I knew she would use her talents and gifts to make a positive difference in our world.  Thank you, Katie!  

As a lifelong resident of Childersburg, she feels a profound sense of responsibility in protecting the interests of Talladega County and its residents. She believes strongly in the idea of community, and works to foster an environment that strongholds the ideas of tradition, heritage, inclusion, and service. She practices family law, because she values family above all else.

Her office operates on the principle of providing flexible and supportive representation at reasonable rates for her clients. She handles all types of family law matters, and her approach to each case varies greatly, depending on her client’s needs and preferences.

I’m so glad Katie is here in Childersburg!

 This week,  each day I am doing something fun and relaxing with my family to help me with peace.  Today we played games and laughed.  When you are laughing, and having fun, it takes your mind off any problems in this world.

 This is what I am doing this week for inner peace-

For 5 minutes-This is what I am doing for inner peace this week- Keeping a Gratitude Journal and listening to music

Write down at least one thing you are grateful for.  Pray and thank God for this in silence. Listen to one song while just resting. Think about the words and what they mean to you.

Overcomer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z29olPjFbqg

Spotlight on Student- Greg Funderburg

 Spotlight on Student

Greg Funderburg

I’m so proud of all of my students who are making a positive difference in our world, and I wanted to recognize a new week every week. This week I would like to recognize Greg Funderburg.  Greg has recently become a children’s author of the book Jeremiah’s New Beginning!  This has been a dream of his for a long time, and he worked so hard to make it happen, and we are so proud!  Since July 2013, Greg has been WTVC News Channel 9 morning/noon anchor in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was voted Best of the Best T.V. Personality by readers of the Chattanooga Times Free Press and Best T.V. Personality in Chattanooga Business Elite’s Black Excellence Awards in 2021.  Greg is also a motivational speaker who enjoys speaking to young people about the importance of getting an education, setting goals, and staying optimistic.  Thank you, Greg for all you are doing to share your talents and gifts to make such a positive impact on our world! You are an inspiration!  You can follow Greg on Facebook and Instagram and purchase his book Jeremiah’s New Beginning on Amazon and many other sites.  

Spotlight on one of my students doing great things to help make a more peaceful world-Julie Owings Kimbrough

 Julie is on the  COVER of Mountain Brook Magazine.  She is such a risk taker!  She has created her meal prep idea, and people everywhere are loving it! Julie said this is her passion and she knows her Maw Maw is smiling BIG from Heaven! You can follow Julie on Instagram or Facebook

 for some yummy meal prep recipes!!

Light of Life- Sharing peace with poetry and photography

 Today, I was working on my inner peace by relaxing outside.  I took some photos of the beauty outside, and now I’m writing a poem about something beautiful outside-the sun!

Light of Life

Bold, beautiful, and bright

Shining, sharing, light

Flowers reach forth for you and bloom!

Birds singing their glorious tune.

Passing Peace to you!

The Secret to Peace

 This month I would like to share how we can find peace through photography.  I will post some photography that has given me peace.  Please comment and share.