MuMu 300, Area 9,

Plano, TX Alpha State MuMusings Volume 24, Issue 6 April 5, 2015

Laura Hudec, editor Laura.hudec@gmail.com

Inspiring Passion Spring is here!!! As just like all of the other animals, we are excited to see the sun again, breathe in the fresh air, and shake off the cold. Spring is often a time of renewal as babies are born, grass begins to grow, and trees and flowers bloom. Spring is also the season for many in our profession to attend national conferences to learn new things, become inspired, and renew ourselves in our quests to become the best educators we can be.

Just this past month, I was blessed to attend NSTA (National Science Teacher Association) and then attending ASCD (Formally Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development) conferences. As I sat in rooms similar to the one below, absorbing knowledge, trying to figure out how to make it work for my colleagues and improve student achievement, I noticed that I was filling up a notebook with new ideas, content and questions.

In fact, one session at ASCD was organized entirely around twitter. The audience communicated to the speaker through twitter, the speakers communicated through twitter. People used twitter to reflect about their learning, save images of the knowledge the speaker was given and to ask questions. I will admit that when I entered the session, I had a twitter account but I was not skilled in using it. By the end of the session, I had problem solved when tweets were sent and not sent as they should have been. I learned the value of hash tags and editing my remarks to 144 characters. Thus, when I left I knew not only some new strategies on how to deal with reluctant learners but I had also mastered twitter.

Thus as I close up this reflection…I wonder, what will you become passionate about this season? What new skills, content, etc., will you learn this year? How will you share your knowledge with your students and/or colleagues? Will you inspire your passion through social media or in a conversation with a friend? I challenge you to renew your passion for teaching and I cannot wait to hear from you what you learn. Also if you have any questions about twitter, I would love to help you out!

Happy Spring, everyone!! Jennifer

(This picture was taken by Jennifer and used with her permission.) )

MuMu President’s Message

Photos and clip art provided by

(and many thanks to) Jennifer Bernabo

and Betty Duke-Ruhd

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

Newsletter Highlights How does DKG benefit us? Texas State Convention.3 CC Coordinating Council Update (changes!) . . . . 4

How can I support DKG? Donate food items to City House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Beading to show Our Chapter’s Best. . . . . . . 4 Invitation to Founder’s Day Luncheon . . . . . . . 5 Online DKG Headquarters Tour Video . . . . . . . . . . 7

The MuMu Community Teacher’s Corner . . . . .2 Camp MuMu . . . . . . . . .6 Great Tech Tips. . . . . . 7 Meet your Members. . . 9 Birthdays . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Officers and Committee Chairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

MuMu Musings

Teacher’s Corner At the Teacher’s Corner, let’s share inspiration gleaned from recent professional development opportunities! We invite all MuMu Chapter members to contribute! Thank you to our valiant President for this first submission!

Room 54…. At ASCD one of the speakers that I had the pleasure of seeing was Rafe Esquith. Rafe is an author of Real Talk for Real Teachers, Teach like your Hair’s on Fire, and There are No Shortcuts. He is also a well-decorated educator who was Disney’s Teacher of the Year, an Oprah’s Angel award, and Member of Order of British Empire, to name a few of his honors. Rafe’s purpose in his packed session this past Sunday morning was to give advice to new and experienced teachers. He desired to help motivate new teachers and rekindle the fires in experienced teachers. Rafe began humbly by stating that he was first and foremost a teacher. His awards and honors were nice, but he would rather talk about his students and show us tear-jerking videos. Rafe works in the second largest elementary school in the nation in LA,CA, where 90% of his students live below the poverty line. Rafe’s biggest advice to new teachers is that teachers need to model at all times what they want their students to do. Thus Rafe is a nice man and encourages his students to be nice. How does he do this? He teaches his students the 6 Levels of Moral Development. See the following link for the different levels :http://dirtyclassroom.com/esquith-kohlberg-their-6-levels-of-moral-development-caroline-burdick/ He also encourages new teachers not to fight with administration but instead say thank you and find ways to work around them. Rafe’s advice to experienced teachers to keep them from burning out is to try one new activity or try one new thing each year. Finally, he asked the audience what was their passion and to use it in our classrooms. In his speech, it became clear that Rafe is passionate about Shakespeare, music, and sharing his philosophy that hard work will bring success. Thus Rafe’s 5th grade class presents a Shakespeare play filled with music the students have picked out and learned how to play throughout the year. Rafe, and his message, inspires us to be passionate about our teaching and our students. Finally, as I reflected back on Rafe’s message, I wondered how we as DKG members renew ourselves and each other, as well as assisting the new educators in our profession. Are we teaching them the keys to provide our students to be successful not only in our classrooms but also in life? If not, then lets make it our passion to continue to inspire and motivate each other, and especially the teachers new to our profession.

If you are interested in reading more about Rafe Esquith and his classroom, please visit his classroom page at http://www.hobartshakespeareans.org/ourclass_welcome.php. You can also find some additional information about Rafe Esquith at: · http://plmartinwrite.blogspot.com/2013/08/real-talk-for-real-teachers.html · http://myshelf.com/miscellaneous/08/teachlikeyourhairsonfire.htm · https://chelsearoseh.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/my-classroom-management-plan/ · http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2013/09/there_are_no_shortcuts_an_interview_with_rafe_esquith.html

Want more MuMu? http://www.dkgmumu.com

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Mark your calendar... Þ Thursday, April 23 - Chapter Meeting, Installation of New Members at Betty Duke-Ruhd’s house Þ Saturday, May 2 - Founder’s Day Brunch Hilton’s Garden Center Hotel Þ Saturday, May 23 - Beading Meeting at Erika Burkhardt’s house Þ June 25-27 – 86th Texas State Convention, San Antonio Þ July 22-25 – Southwest Regional Conference, Wichita, KS

Volume 24, Issue 6

MuMus News A Personal Note from our Area Coordinator, Michelle Grandinetti Dear Mu Mu, Thank you for allowing me to visit your chapter last month. I am now an expert on quilts! Well, maybe not an expert, but at least more knowledgeable. Who knew there were so many types of stitches and patterns each with a unique purpose and history? Hmm, is there an analogy here to Mu Mu, maybe? Quilt making is a craft that always amazes me, not because of the sewing skills, although impressive, but because of the skill it takes to create a piece of art that is both purposeful and attractive. The same can be said of chapters and Mu Mu has definitely mastered those skills. Keep stitching Mu Mu. April Chapter Meeting and New Member Initiation – See you There! Come to Betty Duke’s house on Thursday, April 23, at 6 PM, to initiate new member(s) and celebrate our year of work and service!. We have loads of exciting events coming up this summer, and a load of opportunities to spend time in community together! Please bring $7.00 for dinner, as it will be catered in. Also, please be sure to bring your Bakeless Sale money and donations to City House (see below). Come and join us as we prepare for this Summer and our jewelry sales.

City House Seeking Food/Snack Items! City House is an important philanthropy which local Delta Kappa Gamma chapters support. This year, please keep bringing any of the below suggested items to our monthly meetings, to donate to City House! Individually-Wrapped Preferred Items: Cup of Noodles Jell-O cups Cup of soup Pudding cups Cup of Mac ‘n’ cheese Fresh fruit or individual can fruit Protein/granola bars Bottled water Cereal Bottled Gatorade Instant Oatmeal packages-single Gift Cards from Best Buy, Kohl’s, Target, Walmart Cheese crackers, pop tarts, individual muffin packs, pretzels, chips, cookies

Want more MuMu? http://www.dkgmumu.com

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Are you Goin’ to San Antone’? Texas State 86th Convention, June 25-27, 2015

We have an exciting new schedule for this convention, which includes a Ceremony of Remembrance on Friday morning, and a spectacular President’s presentation! Come join the Fiesta! There will be no pre-convention events, so members will have time to explore the Fabulous San Antonio Riverwalk.

Check out information at http://86thtsoconvention.weebly.com

MuMu Musings

Want more MuMu? http://www.dkgmumu.com

Collin County Coordinating Council Update Changes are coming…. On June 1st we will have to say goodbye to our current CCCC chairman Judy Mezick. She has done a successful job in leading our four chapters to unite together after the sad dissolving of the Mc Kinney chapter. Judy might be leaving us as leader of Collin County Coordinating Council Chairwoman but we might be seeing a lot of her soon…with the State Conference in Frisco in 2016!! Good Luck to Judy!!

Furthermore, we will be welcoming a new Collin County Coordinating Council chairman from Gamma Beta. Come to the banquet to meet our new chairman.

Finally, the three Plano chapter presidents and past presidents have met again to consider our traditional birthday celebrations in September & Founder Day May brunch activities. Discussions and series of meetings are in the works to change what we have been doing in the past to start some new traditions. Some things under consideration are: dissolving the tri-chapter’s birthday celebrations to allow each chapter to celebrate on its own. This would allow each chapter to have more time to focus on starting the year off with committee meetings and flexibility of time to fit the needs of our members’ busy schedules. Another option discussed is moving the September birthday celebration to a weeknight to help encourage member attendance. Furthermore, discussions were open to consider moving initiation of our chapter to another time during the year. This could also impact swearing in new officers. Since many different options are being discussed at this time, I do not have any formal decisions or information since CCCC desires for input to be with all four chapters to find the best fit for each chapter and our activities together. I foresee that these changes once they have been made will impact us the most as we are responsible for the banquet next year. I will keep you posted on decisions and further discussions as the conversation continues. Please let Jennifer know if you have any questions.

Entertain at Southwest Regional (Wichita, KS)

Can you shimmy, sing, play an instrument, or just put on a show? Know anyone who can? Southwest Regional is looking for performers to represent Texas at the convention. If you are interested, or you know someone please contact Deborah Payne at payne.deborah@gmail.com

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Beading to Show our Chapter’s Best

Do you have hands? Do you like hanging out with your favorite MuMus? Please join us for one of the upcoming beading sessions on one of the following days (RSVP to the generous hostess that you’ll be there), and help support this great fundraiser for our charities! Thursday, April 23 – Betty Duke-Ruhd’s house Saturday, May 23 – Erika Burkhardt’s house

Volume 24, Issue 6

The Collin County Chapters of Delta Kappa Gamma

cordially invite you to the

Founders’ Day Celebration Luncheon “Pearls of Wisdom ~

Key Women Educators”

May 2, 2015 10:30 a.m.

Hilton Garden Inn 705 Central Expressway S, Allen, TX 75013

To secure your reservation, please remit $25 payable to

Gamma Beta c/o Lynda Moyer

1016 Chisholm Trail, Murphy, TX 75094 by April 15, 2015

Wear your pearls!

For more information, contact Laura Cooper lauracooper47@gmail.com; 972-658-3438

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MuMu Musings

Want more MuMu? http://www.dkgmumu.com

Camp MuMu Chapter Retreat RESCHEDULED FUN, FUN, FUN, and RELAXATION

When: MAY 15-16 (Makeup Snow Day fun!) Where: Rocking R “Ranch” Lake Cypress Springs (Betty Duke’s lake house and nearby neighbors’ houses) Address is 122 King Larry Court, Scroggins, Texas 75480. See Kings Country Website: www.kingscountry.org. Cost: $25 per person for food and most activities We can accommodate the first 20 people who email Betty at dukeruhd@aol.com. Deadline is February 12 to sign up. The Plan: Leave Plano Friday afternoon. (After school or earlier for retirees.) The “Ranch” is about 2 hours from Plano 10 miles south of Mt. Vernon off of I 30. We will set up carpools and plan activities based on interest survey. All members are encouraged to attend, plan and execute an activity, suggest an activity or game, or just vegetate!!!! Friday night activities: 7:00-Dinner 8:00-10:00 Bonfire, Wine tasting, Chocolates, Indoor Games, Story Fun Saturday: (Saturday activities will be arranged according to weather, preliminary sign ups, and interests expressed by attendees) 9:00 Breakfast- Muffins, Fruit, Juices 9:45-10:45 Session One 10:50-11:50 Session Two 12:00-1:00- Session Three 1:15-2:15 – Session Four 2:30-3:30- Session Five 3:30- wrap up and evaluations Outdoor Activities: (Available for most sessions with weather permitting) Fishing, Nature Walk, Sketching, Boat Rides, Canoe Rides, Flora and Fauna Journals, Fireside Chats, Bird Watching, Deer Feeding, Photography Scavenger Hunt Crafts: (All Sessions) Decorate Picture Frames, Bluebonnet Pins, DKG jewelry, Duct Tape Decorations, Others as suggested by the attendees Garage Fun: (Morning Sessions) Light Work with Paints and Tools. Wind chimes, bird houses, others as suggested by the attendees Games: (Any Session Desired) Board Games, Card Games, the sky is the limit Email updates will be forthcoming.

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Volume 24, Issue 6

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GETTING CONNECTED, STAY IN TOUCH

Design and Share Beautiful Digital Flyers with Smore.com

from your favorite 2nd VP, Laura Hudec

Smore.com is a user-friendly way to design online flyers to promote events. Do you organize any events or lead any groups, to whom you need to send out information? This is a great tool for you! 3 Steps to creating a flyer in Smore.com:

1. Design a flyer – choose a pre-designed template, click on anywhere to edit it, add pictures, and click “Done editing”, and you’ve made the flyer!

2. Share it around – use multiple sharing tools, through social networking or email, or even thorough Facebook, to share the flyer and watch your stats counter click up!

3. See the Results – Click on the “Show Analytics” button to check out your flyer’s performance! See where your viewers come from, who is interacting with your Smore, and see where people RSVP or click a button on your flyer for more information.

If you’re curious to see some Smore.com flyers that are trending right now (many of which are from schools and classes), click here. It’s really that easy! Check out http://www.Smore.com and start a new free account, to see how you can share your event with the world!

Tech Tip Manage Better with Google Classroom Are you looking for a better way to organize your classes? Have you already jumped onto the Google bandwagon? Consider trying out Google Classroom, to manage your classes! If you already have a google account, you have a GClassroom (sic) account. Go to classroom.google.com, create a new class, and explore! Share documents, allow assignments to be submitted digitally, invite students to comment on the learning process, communicate with classes as a group (and with individuals) and more! Explore by clicking on this icon:

https://youtu.be/JUiLc0If0CI

DKG.ORG GEMS

DKG Online Headquarters Tour Take a few minutes to see this fun informative video about the DKG Headquarters in Austin! http://www.deltakappagamma.org/livestream/channel2.php?code=zTYLIAWvC1w

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MuMu Musings

Want more MuMu? http://www.dkgmumu.com

2014-2016 MuMu Committee Chairs Achievement Awards Betty Duke-Ruhd Legislative Mary DePeri

Archives Linda Flack Programs Elizabeth Doyle

Ceremonials Linda Whitehurst Membership and Necrology

Kay Anderson

Communications Deborah Johnston Nominations Betty Duke-Ruhd

Constitution and By-Laws Cindy Bray Webmaster Erika Burkhardt

Finance and Audit Patricia Balderas Yearbook Deborah Johnston

2014-2016 MuMu Officers President Jennifer Bernabo First Vice President Elizabeth Doyle Second Vice President Laura Hudec Recording Secretary Rachael Carlson Corresponding Secretary Vickie Allen Treasurer Jo Ann Whitman Parliamentarian Cindy Bray Past President Betty Duke-Ruhd

Birthdays this Spring:

Loreen Henry – May 8 Paulette Frost – May 12 Vickie Vega – May 19 Kay Anderson – May 22

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Volume 24, Issue 6

Want more MuMu? http://www.dkgmumu.com

Getting to Know All About Mu Mu Meet your Members!!!

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It would be sweet to see you in San Antonio! Texas State Organization C onventionJune 25 - 27, 2015

C DAN YCongratulations for your years’

service celebration! Cindy Bray – 45 years Marte Lilley – 30 years

Patricia Balderas Teaching Assignments: 6th, 3rd, and 1st grade Patricia was tickled when a student told her that he liked how she learned them! Favorite Officer positions you’ve held: Finance. Ask me about the first grader who challenged homework policy!

Jeannette Aguirre Teaching Assignments: K-5 Instructional Therapist, Dyslexia Therapist My favorite part about being a MuMu member is: I enjoy the Mu-Mu legacy, which is beyond compare. Knowing the history of all those early educators and their passion for the profession is inspiring. I take away something new about them, with each Spring brunch.

Ask me about my first day of teaching!

Paulette Frost Teaching Assignments: World Geography, Government, and Economics My favorite part about being a MuMu member is: As a member for the past two years, I have enjoyed meeting new people and working together on projects.

Ask me about the students I got to teach during my last few years of teaching! I loved the look on their faces when they grasped a hard economics concept.

Rachel Carlson Teaching Assignments: Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry; IPC, Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy Sponsored Activities: Science Fair, Math Team, NHS Favorite Officer positions you’ve held: Recording Secretary Ask me about my dog!