School Notes

I had the opportunity this past week to travel to Carson-Newman College, in Jefferson City, TN with 6 young women from my school.

They are my Leadership Team.

We had a lot of fun!

I so enjoyed touring the campus and the Family and Consumer Science building. In a time when universities are closing FACS departments, it was with pleasure to see a beautiful new building built for the sole purpose of Family and Consumer Science Studies.

I am proud of my background in Family and Consumer Science Studies , FACS (Home Economics :0).

When given the opportunity to share, I make a point of emphasizing that FACS
is the only program with the family as the emphasis in all areas. The shame comes from ignorance thinking, "it's cooking and sewing".

When asked, " What do you teach?" I always say, "I teach Personal Finance, Communication skills, Child Development, Parenting, Foods and Nutrition.

I also teach, leadership skills, stress management, team building and career success.

Some weeks, I teach consumer advertising, housing, interior design, clothing and textiles.

I prepare lessons that provide the students the opportunities to be creative,

stretch their comfort levels for the working world, and understand who they are.

I chose this program of studies because I wanted the opportunity to be "proactive" instead of "reactive".

Contrary to popular belief, parenting is a skill that can be taught, budgeting a family's income

is vital to the structure of the family unit.

Handling stress is a skill that is necessary for all to learn.

Without these skills, families may find themselves in situations that require outside help.

How much easier would it have been to take classes that focuses on the needs of individuals and family members, instead of having to repair the damage that is caused by ill prepared individuals?

The young people in these photos are why I go to work every day.


They have taken a step to learn how to communicate, work with others, deal with stress, and understand the dynamics of family structure.


On this particular day, the students were divided into teams.
Each team received the same materials, 2 packages of 25 balloons, and a roll of masking tape. They were instructed to build the tallest, free standing tower possible in a time frame of 20 minutes.

They had been given tags - foreman, inspector, encourager, and employee.

Upon completion of the towers they discussed how their title influenced their behavior and success of the tower.

Yes, I teach FACS, that is my story

and

I am sticking to it! :0)

I pray you are enjoying the beautiful days that are

beginning to promise a new season is arriving.

XOXO

Theresa