This lively adaptation of the hit Broadway musical brings the hilarious and spooky world of Beetlejuice to life, showcasing the incredible talents of Stage West’s young performers.

Youth Cast Performances:
Friday, April 11 at 7pm
  Saturday, April 12 at 2pm & 7pm
  Sunday, April 13 at 2pm

Teen Cast Performances:
Tuesday, April 16 at 7pm
  Wednesday, April 17 at 7pm

All performances will take place at Stage West Theatre, 821 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, TX.
Tickets are $12.

Note: recommended for ages 8 and over.

This production is part of Stage West’s educational programming, providing young artists with a professional theatrical experience under the guidance of experienced directors, choreographers, and music professionals. Audiences can expect high-energy performances, stunning visuals, and plenty of supernatural fun!

Tickets and additional information are available at stagewest.org. For inquiries, contact education@stagewest.org.

The post Stage West Education Presents Beetlejuice Jr. first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

With roots going back to the 1950s, Lil Goldman Early Learning Center has been a paragon of early childhood developmental learning for more than 70 years! Founded by and named for a true pioneer in early childhood education, Lil Goldman provides “an enriched environment in which sensory awareness, cognitive growth, and language development can flourish within a Jewish framework”. Lil Goldman operates on the belief that early childhood education affects the long-term outcomes of children’s lives and that children learn best through experience.

Photo courtesy of Lil Goldman Early Learning Center

An emergent play-based curriculum is the foundation for the Lil Goldman experience. Emergent play builds upon each child’s own strengths and interests and taps into their natural sense of awe and curiosity. With a track record of 70 years, this approach has proven successful. It is so successful, in fact, that expecting parents put their child’s name on the enrollment waitlist before their babies are even born. According to the school director, Melessa Johnson, “I sometimes know a couple is pregnant before their own parents know.”

With programs for children ranging in age from two months to Pre-K, Lil Goldman helps build a child’s educational experience from the earliest days. Current total enrollment at Lil Goldman is around 75 students. Student-to-teacher ratios are kept low, with two teachers per six children in the infants and one teacher per ten students in the Pre-K group. This allows teachers to focus on each child’s needs and communicate effectively about each student with his or her parents. Speaking of communication, teachers at Lil Goldman provide parents daily, often real-time, updates and photos of their kids’ progress and interactions.

As mentioned, the Lil Goldman educational experience is established within a Jewish framework, meaning that the curriculum and calendar reflect Jewish holidays and teachings, but Lil Goldman is a non-secular school. In fact, most students and teachers aren’t Jewish.

Aside from school activities, Lil Goldman hosts a vibrant and fun summer camp each year with options for two-, three-, or five-day-per-week camps. There is an active and robust Parents Club and plenty of other entertaining and educational activities throughout the year.

Enrollment for next Fall opened earlier this month, and summer camp enrollment starts in March. For more information, please visit the school’s website at lilgoldmanschool.org.

The post A Launch Pad to a Successful Adulthood first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Psychiatrists and spiritual leaders tell us that nurturing that natural creativity is vital to our physical and mental well-being, but for most adults, our imaginations seem to atrophy as we age. Our willingness to show our creative side withers in the face of the fear of ridicule and judgment. Not so, kids. They are utterly fearless. So, how do we make sure our kids hold on to that fearlessness, and how do we regain it for ourselves?

Fortunately, we live in a city that respects and appreciates the arts, and many opportunities exist outside of traditional school settings for people to embark on and expand a multitude of creative endeavors. Whether your curiosity tends towards visual arts or performing arts, there are many organizations in town that can help you get started or continue on a growth path in your creative journey.

Stage West youth students in The Wizard of Oz, Spring 2024. Photo by Garret Storms.

For performing arts specifically, Stage West is leading the way in guiding new and developing actors and singers. Their robust educational programming has entry points for people of all ages and skill levels. As Education Manager Sarah Gay says, “We have something for everyone. Whether you’re five or ninety-nine, there’s a place for you to learn and explore at Stage West.” From first-timers to old veterans of the stage, Stage West is creating opportunities for Fort Worthians to take the stage and learn how to be the best performers they can be and how to have fun doing it.

Youth classes for ages five to eighteen include a wide variety of topics from Broadway Beginners to Teen College and Audition Prep, including Schoolhouse Rock, where kids hone their singing, dancing, and acting skills, to the Improv Troupe, where students have to think on their feet to create unscripted stories to captivate their audiences. To address the importance of creative expression for adults, Stage West offers a robust catalog of adult classes catering to everyone from the complete novice to the seasoned professional thespian. “Being creative isn’t just for kids. Moms and dads deserve it, too,” says Gay.

Stage West adult students in Adult Improv. Photo by Jennifer Schultes.

Many times, it happens that a child is interested in singing, dancing, or acting, their parents sign them up for classes, and a subtle self-suggestion begins to take root. A little voice in the parent’s head whispers, “That looks fun. Maybe I should do it, too.” And many times, they do! Stage West has many multiple-generation families taking classes, experiencing an exploration of the arts and their own creativity that they didn’t realize was possible, and they’re doing it together.

From children who crave the stage to teens who have struggled to find their place in the world to grandmothers whose life dream it was to be an actor, people of all ages and walks of life are coming together on stage in a welcoming, non-judgmental arena of ideas and they’re having a blast! It’s never too early or too late to begin a journey of creativity, and because of the Stage West education program, the performing arts is one of the most accessible genres to explore here in Fort Worth.

Stage West youth students in Finding Nemo Camp, Summer 2024. Photo by Garret Storms.

Youth and adult classes are registering now and begin September 8^th. For more information and to see the entire catalog of classes with class descriptions visit www.StageWest.org, or email Sarah Gay at education@stagewest.org.

The post Learn to Be the Best Performer You Can Be (and Have Fun Doing It!) first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Go Beyond Grades asks parents to:

1. Ask if your child is on grade level in reading and math,
2. Be in the know about your child’s learning, and
3. Connect to summer programs and more in Tarrant

While the Texas STAAR Test shows that just 52% of K-12 students who attend public schools are on grade level in reading and 43% in math, Learning Heroes, a national nonprofit focused on building school-home partnerships, in collaboration with Tarrant County community partners, released research today finding that:

• 96% of Tarrant County K-12 parents believe their child is reading at or above grade
• 92% of Tarrant County K-12 parents believe their child is doing math at or above grade

“Many parents do not know that they need to advocate for their children because they believe their child’s report card tells the complete story of their child’s academic performance, ” said

Leah M. King, President and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County. “The Go Beyond Grades initiative is unprecedented in Tarrant County as it gives parents specific tools and resources needed to dig deeper, thanks to a coalition of educational leaders and community organizations that are focused on improving education right here in our community. United Way is proud to be a part of this county-wide campaign to ensure every parent knows what support is available to them.”

“While this is an all-hands-on-deck moment in public education, most parents are not aware they need to be in the boat,” said Cindi Williams, co-founder of Learning Heroes and mother of two. “Parents are problem solvers, but we can’t expect them to solve a problem they don’t know exists. Now is the time to partner with our teachers to find out how we can use the summer months to address missed instruction.”

To help close the parent perception gap and support partnerships between families and schools, the campaign is partnering with Parent Pass, an organization that works with over 80 trusted local community partners to share resources and tools with 8,600 families in Tarrant County that use their free app.

“The first-of-its-kind Parent Pass app was developed by local families, for local families – to connect every parent in Tarrant County with the great educational opportunities, events, and community resources available to help their children thrive,” said Sadie Funk, National Director of Best Place for Kids. “We are excited to be able to provide value-added tools and supports to parents, teachers, and caregivers in our community through the Go Beyond Grades partnership.”

#GoBeyondGrades Tarrant County includes digital ads featuring stories from Tarrant County parents emphasizing the importance of parent-teacher partnerships, and 50 billboards in Tarrant County highlighting the opportunity for parents to take advantage of summer learning. The ads encourage parents to visit GoBeyondGrades.org/TARRANT, a free, online resource in English and Spanish that parents and educators can visit to find tips, resources, and more.

With key support from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, and Parent Pass, the campaign is fueled by over 80 local partners that have come together to amplify and support parents in ensuring they have the information they need to be their child’s best advocate:

AB Christian Learning Center                                   FWISD Parent Partnerships

Academy 4                                                                     Girls Inc. of Tarrant County

ACH                                                                                Harmony Public Schools

Amon G. Carter Foundation                                       HEB Chamber of Commerce

Arlington ISD                                                                Junior Achievement

Arlington Mayor’s Education Coalition                   Justin’s Place

Arlington’s Mayor Ross                                               KERA

At Grade Level.org                                                      Key School and Training Center

Best Place for Kids!®                                                Kleinheinz Family Foundation

Big Brothers Big Sisters                                            Leadership ISD

BNSF Railway                                                             LVT Rise

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant Co              Madeworthy Magazine / Tanglewood Moms

BRAVE/R Together                                                  Miles Foundation

Brighter Outlook, Inc.                                              Morris Foundation

Camp Fire First Texas                                              NAACP Fort Worth/Tarrant County

Castleberry ISD                                                         North Texas Community Foundation

Childcare Associates (CCA)                                    Northeast Tarrant County Chamber

Christ’s Haven                                                          Northside Intercommunity Agency (NICA)

Clayton Youth Enrichment                                   Parent Pass

Clear Channel Outdoor                                          Parent Shield

Communities in Schools                                       R4 Foundation

Community Frontline                                           Rainwater Charitable Fund

Community Storehouse                                       Rocketship Public Schools

Como Lion’s Heart                                               Sid W. Richardson Foundation

Families Empowered                                           Southside Hornets

Fidelity                                                                    Survive and Thrive

First Tee Fort Worth                                            Tarrant County College

Fort Worth (TX) Chapter of The Links            Tarrant to and Through (T3)

Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce                  Teen Life

Fort Worth Education Partnership                   The Center for Transforming Lives

Fort Worth Families Forward                            The Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce                       The Parenting Center

Fort Worth ISD                                                     The Reading League of Texas

Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem. Gyna M. Bivens                       United Community Centers (UCC)

Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce    United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History                        United Way of Tarrant County

Fort Worth Public Library                                 Wallace Bridges

Fort Worth Report                                               YMCA

Fort Worth Star Telegram

Fort Worth’s Mayor Parker

Fortress

FW Mayor’s Council on Education and Workforce

“Fort Worth parents are strong advocates for their child’s education, but many do not know that their child is behind and may need help. Over 9 in 10 parents in Tarrant County believe that their child is on grade level, but the reality is only 52% of students are on grade level in reading and 43% in math,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “That’s why I’ve joined over 80 community organizations in coming together to launch #GoBeyondGrades, a county-wide campaign urging parents to know whether their child is on grade level, partner with their teacher, and sign up for summer learning programs in Tarrant County. You can go to GoBeyondGrades.org/TARRANT to learn more and access free tips, resources, and more.”

“I’m proud to stand along with the members of my Education Coalition to partner with over 80 organizations in Tarrant County to launch #GoBeyondGrades, a campaign that provides parents with tools to determine whether their child is on grade level and connects them to high-quality summer learning programs. Together, we can reach every parent in Tarrant County and encourage them to partner with their child’s teacher to help our students succeed in reading and math,” Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said.

“Parent-teacher partnerships are essential for our students’ academic success. The Go Beyond Grades campaign provides helpful resources for parents and teachers in Fort Worth ISD to discuss grade level expectations, student progress, and team up to make a plan,” said Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Angélica Ramsey.

“We are committed to supporting initiatives that create collaboration between parents, teachers and students. More parental engagement would allow us to tailor a personalized learning journey for each student,” said Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith.

“Only half of our children can read at grade level. That is true in the inner-city and true in the suburbs. Parents have a right to know. For their children’s sake, they must know. That is what this initiative is all about,” said Pete Geren, President and CEO of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation.

“Failure to complete high school is persistent because it is generational in nature. Family engagement is a critical component in breaking the cycle,” said Brian Miller, President and CEO of Camp Fire First Texas. “Research consistently confirms, and it is demonstrated in Camp Fire programs, that family engagement is one of the most powerful predictors of children’s development, educational attainment, and success in school and life.”

“Our work at Christ’s Haven for Children has given us a unique vantage point of working with children and teens from all backgrounds and educational experiences. Through this work, we know that report card grades do not always equate to grade level proficiency,” said Cassie McQuitty, CEO of Christ’s Haven For Children. “We see Go Beyond Grades as a valuable resource for the families we serve as a way to partner with their child and teachers to achieve academic excellence.”

“Parents are the most powerful advocates for their children,” says Daphne Barlow Stigliano, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County. “Go Beyond Grades is putting parents in the best possible position to be successful by connecting them to actionable information about their child.”

The online survey was conducted among parents of public school students in Tarrant County from February 21 to March 5, 2024 by Edge Research.

The post #GoBeyondGrades Gets Parents Involved first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Brad Nowlin is a licensed family and marriage therapist and has seen it time and again in his practice. He and his wife Grace have come up with some tips to bring your partnership back in focus. While some seem so obvious, each tip will help you and your partner bring your relationship back in focus.

The post 14 Ways to Make Your Relationship Stronger first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Cuban-Inspired Pulled Pork 

I love the bright, citrusy flavors of this dish, and pork and slow cookers are a match made in heaven! 

Ingredients 

1 pork shoulder, 3 to 5 pounds, trimmed of excess fat (I like to leave the bone in for extra flavor 

Juice of 2 oranges 

Juice of 5 limes 

6 to 8 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled 

1 small to medium white or yellow onion, peeled, cut in half and then into half rings 

½ bunch cilantro, roughly chopped 

1 tablespoon ground cumin 

1 tablespoon ground coriander 

1 tablespoon Mexican oregano or marjoram 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Directions 

Place pork shoulder in a 6-quart slow cooker. Combine all the rest of the ingredients and pour over the pork. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Serve over rice with black beans and a side salad with lots of avocado in a citrus vinaigrette. The leftovers make great tacos, burritos, lettuce wraps, or quesadillas. Serves 4 with leftovers. 

Legume and Tomato Salad 

Legumes are wonderful sources of protein and fiber. This is a great side dish with grilled meat or seafood or as a truly flavorful main dish for a (mostly) meatless meal.  

Ingredients 

2 cups fresh or dried crowder, purple hull, zipper cream, lady cream, or black-eyed peas 

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth or stock 

3 slices bacon, chopped (can be omitted for a truly vegetarian meal) 

4 sprigs fresh thyme 

2 bay leaves 

2 cups mixed tiny tomatoes (yellow, red, orange…), halved 

3 green onions, white and green, thinly sliced 

Several shakes of your favorite hot sauce 

1 tablespoons cider vinegar 

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 

Directions 

Bring the broth, optional bacon, thyme, and bay leaves to a gentle boil in a large saucepan. Add the peas and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes for fresh or dried, or until the peas are tender. Drain and place in a bowl. Season with salt, freshly ground pepper, and hot sauce to taste and allow to cool for about 15 minutes. Add in the tomatoes, green onions, vinegar, and olive oil and toss to coat. If you add in a grain of some sort (rice, farro, couscous, bulgur, orzo, etc.), you’ll have a delicious meal that provides a full protein without meat. Serves 4 as a main.  

Ricotta with Local Honey 

This is probably the world’s easiest, and yet so amazingly delicious, dessert. Serve with fresh fruit, on toasted bread, or simply a spoon! 

Ingredients 

Whole milk ricotta 

Local honey 

If you like, you can add some nuts – pecans, almonds, walnuts, etc. 

Directions 

Drizzle the ricotta with honey. Serve.  

That’s it! 

Seriously. That’s it. Really. I promise.   

The post Education Is the Key’s Recipes first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

In 2016, my father took me to see a historical landmark in downtown Fort Worth: I.M. Terrell High School, the city’s first African American high school. The school is not only a landmark of segregated education in our city, it is where my grandfather, Dr. Ambrose Adams Sr., taught. Little did I know that two years later, I would start high school in that school, now known as I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA.  

Knowing I had a legacy to uphold, as well as being a part of the first graduating class of my school, the pressure was on. Before freshman year at I.M. Terrell starts, the school hosts Panther Camp, a time where new apprentices can meet teachers, see the school, and even get a head start on meeting other apprentices. (I.M. Terrell has apprentices, not students.) My Panther Camp, being the first one ever, was filled with establishing class traditions and talks from our principal, Mr. Brown, about the responsibilities our class faced as the first graduating class. I remember him telling us that we would be the seniors of the school for all four years. At the time his words seemed insignificant; senior year felt so far away. We soon understood there would be classes coming in under us every year, looking up at us.  

Once Panther Camp was over, it was time for our first day of high school. We walked into a year of uncertainty and (in all honesty) trial and error, not only for the students, but for the teachers and administrators as well. We were learning the Cowan Academy in the Humanities model of teaching for the first time. Many of us were taking physics as a freshman. And there was the expectation to achieve and excel for the brand-new school and its pioneering class. However, I would not change anything. By the end of the year, the bond my class built with our first-year teachers is something that cannot be duplicated. Subsequent classes and teachers will build their own bonds, but they will never truly understand the experiences of that first year.  

Class of 2022 their freshman year
I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM & VPA

With freshman year under our belt, I.M. Terrell’s 2019-2020 school year would be a breeze, right? The year started off strong. The energy within the school with another class under us made me feel happy to be there. There were more opportunities to get involved, including student government, the Black Student Association, the National Dance Honor Society, and much more. Sophomore year gave me great opportunities within my art as well. I danced in my fellow apprentice Ella Ratcliffe’s piece, which was accepted at the National High School Dance Festival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We performed her piece in front of college representatives and other high schools, and most importantly, we represented how far our new program had come within just one year. It was so rewarding, and for the first time, I felt like all the hard work we had been doing to get our school recognized had paid off.  

Soon after our trip, however, COVID-19 changed everything. A fun spring break soon turned into an extended spring break, which then turned into online learning. After one year of experimentation and bonding, we faced a year of global uncertainty. 

With the school district trying to figure out online learning, my class began the most academically important year of high school in a pandemic. As students at our school, a hands-on STEM and art magnet school, we lost important time in our studios, practice rooms, and labs. I think I can speak for the class when I say it took some time for everyone to get into the groove. But we did. Students and teachers both learned how to work with restrictions. We did classroom streams and online performances to get back to “normal.” Now, with only a few weeks left of my Junior year, honestly, I’m feeling a little afraid. The long talks Mr. Brown gave our freshman year about the expectations for the first graduating class are finally soaking in, and the pressure to excel is truly on now!  

Looking forward to our senior year, I am filled with excitement, joy, relief, and sadness. Thinking about saying goodbye to the classmates and teachers I have experienced so many “firsts” with feels unreal. Yet, I also feel honored. Not everyone gets to say that they were a part of the first graduating class of the “Old Gold and Blue.” After three years of the most unconventional school years, I cannot wait to see what is in store for I.M. Terrell’s class of 2022 in our senior year and beyond!  

Amaya Adams is a member of the inaugural graduating class of I.M. Terrell Academy of STEM & VPA and will graduate in May. She hopes to get her B.F.A. in musical theater.

The post The Old Gold and Blue first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Marcia Garcia, Spanish Teacher, Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) 

Maria Garcia is a diamond among diamonds. She is our mission and vision personified. She advocates for students and provides them with the space to have a voice and be seen. A life long learner, she consistently grows in her ability to be an exemplary teacher. She takes learning to the next level for all of her students through real world exploration and cultural celebration. She provides an everyday walking, talking model of the realization of potential and excellence. Through her involvement on campus and in her community, she exemplifies grit, tenacity and grace.  Her goal is to be the adult, her students need to help them grow, thrive, and lead. 

Erin Bury, US History Teacher, Daggett Montessori 

Looking in the classroom, her students often tower over Ms. Bury.  Her youthful look easily blends in with the young men and women in her 8^th grade class, yet her presence is great.  As Daggett Montessori School’s middle school social studies teacher, Ms. Erin Bury’s influence extends beyond the classroom.  Academically challenging students to think beyond the lessons and collaborate with their peers, Ms. Bury is intentional in building her students’ capacity to be independent learners and young leaders.  Her classroom environment is filled with laughter, yet conversation is focused on learning.  Ms. Bury motivates students to be at their best in her classroom and in extracurricular activities she sponsors such as Whiz Quiz.  It is this lasting influence that truly allows Ms. Erin Bury to embody the spirit of Daggett Montessori School.  

Della Ray, Third Grade Teacher, Tanglewood Elementary 

Tanglewood Elementary has had a tradition of academic excellence since our doors first opened in 1960.  Our teachers, staff, students, and parents share a tremendous sense of Tiger pride.  When I think of our school and what makes us special, I think of the teachers who go above and beyond to do what is best for children.  One of those teachers is our beloved Mrs. Della Ray.  Mrs. Ray has served the Tanglewood community for over thirty years.  She is the epitome of class, dedication, and loyalty.  She deeply cares for our students and their families.  She is a mentor and role model to her colleagues.  

Felicia Hobson, Biology, Arlington Heights High School (AHHS) 

Mrs. Felicia Hobson has been an outstanding biology teacher at AHHS since she stepped foot on campus four years ago. Felicia Hobson embodies Yellowjacket Pride in all she says and does. Every student who crosses the threshold of Mrs. Hobson’s door, enters a world filled with love, compassion, and creativity.  She makes biology come alive in her classroom through her hands-on learning and real-life examples.  It is through the relationships she builds that her students feel confidant to rise to her expectations. She supports struggling students by participating with them in their struggle. Mrs. Hobson’s optimism and positive attitude permeates through our campus. She is a shining light that inspires all staff and students to do their very best.  Mrs. Hobson exemplifies AHHS’ “Spirit of the Hill.” 

Brandon Watson, Computer Science and Coding, I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA 

Brandon Watson has been a great hire for our campus and a tremendous addition to our faculty and staff. He is very giving of his time, energy, knowledge, and resources to make his students better. He has always been a student-centered teacher that keeps the focus on students and not himself. Mr. Watson is a special individual because he always makes sure that whatever he does, it’s focused on his students and will be in their best interest.  

Dillon Smith, Middle School History, All Saints’ Episcopal School 

During COVID, Dillon Smith was phenomenal in engaging his middle schoolers online. He continues to build student relationships and connect them to history in meaningful ways. He is a valuable collaborator across campus, as he is always eager to step up and into roles outside of the classroom, serving as an advisor, a coach, and as a critical team member growing our SummerYou program.  

Sharon Messmann, Excel Program, St. Paul Lutheran School 

Mrs. Sharon Messmann teaches in our Excel program, which supports students who need extra help to be successful in learning. She helps students overcome challenges such as dyslexia, speech/language delays, visual/hearing impairments, attention challenges, and learning disabilities. Mrs. Messmann is a certified reading specialist and has the uniue gift of connecting and helping students in all grade levels. She plays an important role at St. Paul as she partners with parents and the classroom teachers in the education of her students. Many St. Paul graduates credit Mrs. Messmann with their academic success in high school, college, and beyond. St. Paul is very grateful for Mrs. Messmann and her excellence in teaching.   

Dr. Philip Taylor, Computer Science Department Chair, Trinity Valley School (TVS) 

Dr. Philip Taylor, Computer Science Department Chair, sparks curiosity and creativity in our students while sharing his own personal excitement for computer programming, robotics, and digital fabrication. Dr. Taylor has loved exploring and learning about the world since his childhood in Tennessee. In his years as an educator, he has taught a variety of math, science, and education courses at the high school and college levels. As a teacher, he relishes using math and science to lead students to their own joyful discoveries. Under his leadership, TVS achieved the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. Dr. Taylor sees and appreciates both the needs and passions of his students, and he works hard to ensure that they receive all of the support they need while challenging them to move forward with confidence and great enthusiasm.  

Cassie Holler, Instructional Technologist/Student Advocate, Key School 

Cassie Holler is a phenomenal educator who is driven by her passion for helping students with learning differences.  Mrs. Holler started at Key School as a fourth-grade teacher in 2019.  With amazing leadership skills and an exceptional amount of patience, Mrs. Holler now serves as an Instructional Technologist and Student Advocate at Key School.  Mrs. Holler always goes above and beyond to assist both students and teachers on campus.  No matter the situation, Mrs. Holler approaches it with grace and compassion.  She is a great listener and demonstrates love, attention, and acceptance to all she encounters. 

The post Fort Worth’s Top Teachers of 2021 first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation

The JEHF’s programming reaches thousands of people. There are Hope Squads, a peer support program that empowers students to take action to prevent suicide, in 88 schools across North Texas. Almost 200 QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention trainings were held in 2019. And the JEHF provides funding for depression research so that no one will know the pain of losing a loved one to suicide.

To fund these programs and research, the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation has hosted the Bring the Conversation to Light event every year since 2013. This year’s event, which takes place on Wednesday, November 18, is a little different. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event will be held virtually, but as in years past, it will feature dynamic speakers with impactful stories. This year’s emcee is Carlos Capua, and the keynote speaker is Terry Bentley Hill.

2020 has hit many people hard. The global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and social unrest have combined to create stressors that we haven’t experienced before. The work of the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation is more important than ever. To register for the 7^th Annual Bring the Conversation to Light virtual event, click here. A world without suicide is possible.

The post Lighting the Way first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

I struggled with how to answer her.

Since Easter Sunday of this year, I have lived with COVID-19 symptoms but have never tested positive. As I write this on Day 87, I’m still struggling with shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, tachycardia, and a cough. Plus some unmentionable symptoms I am too delicate to share.

I didn’t know this before, but when you have a mysterious illness, you are immediately required to attend Internet Medical School.

About a month into my top-tier Google education, I joined a Facebook Group called Long-Haul COVID Fighters. When I joined, there were 862 members. Now there are 5,133. People all over the world are suffering for more than 80 days with COVID symptoms. The members commiserate and share insights from doctor visits along with tips for, well, not dying.

We also share articles.

We share articles from medical journals, major news outlets, and top researchers. For the first six weeks, when all I could do was lie on the couch trying to breathe, I read. I read and read and read. I read about T cells, ACE2 receptors, and cytokine storms. It dawned on me that my doctors were spending all their time treating patients and didn’t have bandwidth to research this novel virus as it was unfurling its awful feathers in real-time. Was I so arrogant as to believe I knew more about it than they did? I knew enough to be dangerous, that’s for sure.

I also knew enough to advocate for myself.

People in the Facebook group reported that cardiologists were finding heart damage in some COVID patients. I therefore sent a message to my PCP asking for a referral to a cardiologist, and the tests from that visit led to medication that has helped my tachycardia immensely.

When I found an urgent care place that offered antibody tests for both IgG AND IgM antibodies, I got myself an appointment. This led to an immediate CT scan, which led me to a pulmonologist. This led to an inhaler, which means I can now walk around my house without gasping for air.

In every one of these doctor’s offices, I have gently suggested that perhaps it would be prudent to assume I have COVID-19 after all, given my symptoms. I spent 45 minutes in bed one morning crafting a diplomatic email to my primary care physician outlining the research showing how problematic the testing is, linking helpful articles and news stories. I sent the first draft to my mom to make sure it didn’t sound too know-it-all or desperate before I sent it to my doctor.

My doctor never wrote me back.

However, I’m grateful for my PCP’s referrals to specialists. And I’m grateful for some symptom relief.

Internet University should also offer Diplomacy with People Who Have Real Diplomas as part of its core curriculum.

Back to my mother and her email about the nebulized budesonide. What could I even say to my pulmonologist? “I know I’ve tested negative for COVID, but could we try this method a guy out in Midland swears by just in case? I saw it on YouTube.” I may not be a doctor, but I can feel his skeptical and emphatic eye-roll from afar.

But you know what? Maybe I’ll send the email after all. Maybe if I decide I’d like to be able to jog again, or not run afternoon fevers again, or take a deep breath again, I’ll send the dang email. I’ll send it because I’m not too proud to appear a wee bit batty if it actually might work.

This is what our friends in the COVID community are up against all over the world, gentle reader — even those who have tested positive, even those who have “recovered” on paper but are still symptomatic weeks later. It’s a constant battle for information, an ever-present burden to be a pleasant and reasonable COVID-19 Ambassador of Goodwill to doctors, and, of course, a daily fight to feel better and maybe even heal.

Please be kind to us when you meet us.

And if you become one of us, well…welcome to the Class of 2020.

Julie Rhodes is a freelance writer and actor in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She writes regularly for Madeworthy magazine and the Tanglewood Moms blog.

The post The Education I Never Wanted: My B.S. in COVID-19 Studies first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.