Author Archives: egallagher713

My retirement has been far from normal. My original plan was to retire in June after teaching my last class of second grade. The year was off to a great start in September when I met my wonderful class and I was so excited to celebrate all my “lasts” with them. Unfortunately, that only lastedContinue reading “Sorting It Out After Retirement”

Originally posted on Elly Elementary:
As an educator for over 20 years, the way we teach children to write has changed dramatically.  Before the creation of various online sites that encourage writing, to using social media and researching on the internet, children no longer have to rely on reading a book and taking notes. Or…

This was a most unusual year and summer. When we had the opportunity to visit Newport, Rhode Island with friends, we decided to visit with quarantine in mind and enjoy the beauty that Newport offers. Rhode Island seemed to be doing very well during this pandemic, with low numbers and strict enforcements.  With strict rulesContinue reading “Newport: A Beautiful Retreat in the New Normal”

Recently, I took a plane trip to California to see my new grandson. Most likely I would not have ventured out in this unknown world if it wasn’t for him at this time. I had many nights of anxiety before my trip but I am pleased to say that I was exceptionally pleased with myContinue reading “Traveling in the New Normal”

The last 100 days have been like no other in our lives. We have stayed home, worn masks and used sanitizers in public, had virtual or drive-by celebrations and have gone without our circle of family and friend that we are used to sharing our lives with. At the beginning we felt as if itContinue reading “Entering the Next Phase of the New Normal”

We are almost three months into a quarantine for Covid-19 and stressed about staying home, staying alive and praying all our loved ones are safe and healthy. As states open and others get ready to open, we have now entered into a world I do not recognize. The brutal death of George Floyd was horrific,Continue reading “What Happened to Our World”

When I went to Italy last year everyone mentioned how the pizza there would be so different than what I was used to. I couldn’t imagine how. Pizza being one of my favorite foods, left me hesitant to try it in a country where pizza is best known for. You can’t drive through any townContinue reading “Pizza In Italy….a New Tasting Experience”

This has been a time like no other we have experienced. We are staying home, staying away from family and waiting for this pandemic to start declining. It’s a very scary time for all of us. We are all experiencing different aspects of this devastating virus. Many of us have lost people we love, notContinue reading “Self-Care During Social Distancing”

As I finish the fourth week of my social distancing, teaching from home, I realize that we are all guilty of not appreciating the small stuff in our lives. I hope that when this is all behind us we relish every moment that we get to spend with our families and friends in the realContinue reading “Being Grateful for the Small Stuff”

We have been stuck inside for awhile now. Going to the store to pick up and order or a restaurant for a special take out treat is the most fun we have during the week. Most of us are used to being so busy that we cannot keep up with our lists of what toContinue reading “Feeling Accomplished During Social Distancing”