Tiffanie Maas
Stories (4/0)
Dana Didn't Know The Difference
The other day in class a student of mine said “I didn’t know that we could learn about science in art class.” In the teaching field this is what is called an “aha” moment, and it’s kinda what we live for. I was teaching my third grade students about shadows and silhouettes. As an art teacher I have learned over the years that this is something students tend to get confused about as it is common to think that shadows and silhouettes are the same thing but they are not!
By Tiffanie Maas3 years ago in Education
Change
There was nothing more to say. All of the things that needed to get out of her were delivered madly and fiercely and could never be taken back. She wanted desperately to forget all of the events that led to the toxic explosion of verbiage and acts of hostility. She was desperate to escape the shame. There was no undoing this. Her mind replayed every word, every emotion, every tortured look on their faces. She was exhausted. As she drove away, alone she heard a voice. It was calm and reassuring and it said to her “you get to decide what you want to think about.” This was news to her. She had spent a lifetime trying to outthink all of the events that baffled her. Nothing was ever left to God. She had no knowledge of God. This constant thinking that she thought was mandatory was never comforting, it never found resolution, instead it was manipulative. It would force her into the worst situations with painful results There was no way to outthink what had happened. Everything was said and done. But this voice, it told of something she never thought before and it hinted at the possibility of relief. LIttle did she know at that moment that these words would start a revolution inside her, that they would stir an awakening to depths she couldn’t even imagine and they would change the course of her life from that moment forward.
By Tiffanie Maas3 years ago in Motivation
Lovely Bliss
I first heard of Patricia on day one of staff training for a new and innovative school where I was to be the atelier, or art teacher. I was very nervous but also completely thrilled to be taking this new journey with a room full of like minded individuals. We had all applied to teach at this school because it promised to be different, to be a place for growth and exploration for students and staff. As is often the case during staff orientation, we engaged in activities designed to help us get to know one another a bit. I learned very quickly that though I was the art teacher, I was certainly not the only creative person in the room. During a particular ice breaker activity we were partnered in pairs and after five minutes of sharing with our partner we went around the room, each one of us introducing our partners to the others. It was inspiring to hear of so many interesting accomplishments from the collective, but there was one that especially caught my attention. I heard the introduction from across the room but I couldn't quite see who was speaking. The woman being introduced had just written her first children's book.
By Tiffanie Maas3 years ago in Humans
Saint Cloud
I moved to Saint Cloud, Florida from the big city, Orlando. I was born and raised in Orlando. Me and Orlando, we grew up together. As I got older Orlando got more interesting. Orlando has cuisine from every country, it's home to Disney World and Universal Studios. It's close to world famous beaches including Daytona, Cocoa and Miami. From Orlando you can watch astronauts get launched into space! Why then would I choose not to write about Orlando? It's because Saint Cloud stole my heart. After 40 years of living with the constant growth and expansion of my hometown I decided I needed a change. I wanted to slow down. I wanted to get back to nature. I wanted to know my neighbors.
By Tiffanie Maas3 years ago in Wander