As a teacher, I know the thought of going back to school in this year is daunting to say the least. I have spent countless nights either learning how to teach via computer, uploading and creating new curriculum, worrying about what this year might look like, or all of the above. That doesn't take into consideration the concern I have for my own children, family, friends' and students' well-being. But halfway through the Summer of Worry (that's what I've labeled it in my diary), I decided I could do something to add a little bit of love and light and hopefulness in the world. Actually, I decided I could do two things.
The first was launching the Be Brave! Challenge. I got the idea while watching my kids write good old fashioned letters to their grandparents. Seeing the joy on their faces when they got a letter back made me realize we could all use a little bit of hope in our mailboxes. So many of us feel distanced from loved ones now. So many of us are focused on fear. I thought, "What if I focus on gratitude instead?" So, I created the Be Brave! Challenge which simply asks folks to reach out to someone who has inspired them (like Betty inspires us all) and tell them thank you. Tell them they have made an impact on your life. It's a simple idea, but I truly hope it brings some light to a world that feels quite dark at the moment. (If you want a Be Brave! postcard, message me through the contact page.)
The second thing I decided was that as a teacher, I had no earthly idea what I was going to do with my kids this year (fear not, parents, I now have a plan for my own students!) So after I made my plan, I teamed up with Brook Doire, who happens to be three things- Betty's real granddaughter, a fellow teacher, and (I am proud to say) one of my newest but dearest friends. (It's funny how writing a book about someone's grandma can make them your friend for life! Did I say funny? I meant extraordinarily lucky. Insert hearts and stars.) Anyway, Brook and I created a Teacher's Guide to help teachers bring UNBEATABLE BETTY and Betty Robinson's incredible story of resilience and perseverance to kids everywhere. (I told Brook it is my humble goal to make sure every child in America knows Betty Robinson's name by the end of this year. I was only half kidding- I've given myself by the end of the Summer Olympics 2021.)
So with all that said, our Unbeatable Betty Teacher's Guide is linked below this blog and on the homepage of this website. Please pass it along to your teacher friends, to your librarian friends, to your friends who are parents and grandparents (I was serious about my goal. Everyone should know Betty's name and about her amazing achievements.) And if you have read UNBEATABLE BETTY with your classes and want to comment about what your kiddos thought or share some of their Betty art or writing, I would LOVE that. From my teacher-writer-parent heart to yours, be well and Be Brave like Betty! -Allison
The first was launching the Be Brave! Challenge. I got the idea while watching my kids write good old fashioned letters to their grandparents. Seeing the joy on their faces when they got a letter back made me realize we could all use a little bit of hope in our mailboxes. So many of us feel distanced from loved ones now. So many of us are focused on fear. I thought, "What if I focus on gratitude instead?" So, I created the Be Brave! Challenge which simply asks folks to reach out to someone who has inspired them (like Betty inspires us all) and tell them thank you. Tell them they have made an impact on your life. It's a simple idea, but I truly hope it brings some light to a world that feels quite dark at the moment. (If you want a Be Brave! postcard, message me through the contact page.)
The second thing I decided was that as a teacher, I had no earthly idea what I was going to do with my kids this year (fear not, parents, I now have a plan for my own students!) So after I made my plan, I teamed up with Brook Doire, who happens to be three things- Betty's real granddaughter, a fellow teacher, and (I am proud to say) one of my newest but dearest friends. (It's funny how writing a book about someone's grandma can make them your friend for life! Did I say funny? I meant extraordinarily lucky. Insert hearts and stars.) Anyway, Brook and I created a Teacher's Guide to help teachers bring UNBEATABLE BETTY and Betty Robinson's incredible story of resilience and perseverance to kids everywhere. (I told Brook it is my humble goal to make sure every child in America knows Betty Robinson's name by the end of this year. I was only half kidding- I've given myself by the end of the Summer Olympics 2021.)
So with all that said, our Unbeatable Betty Teacher's Guide is linked below this blog and on the homepage of this website. Please pass it along to your teacher friends, to your librarian friends, to your friends who are parents and grandparents (I was serious about my goal. Everyone should know Betty's name and about her amazing achievements.) And if you have read UNBEATABLE BETTY with your classes and want to comment about what your kiddos thought or share some of their Betty art or writing, I would LOVE that. From my teacher-writer-parent heart to yours, be well and Be Brave like Betty! -Allison
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