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December 3, 2022

The relationships between parents’ and children’s screen times on body mass index: a cross-sectional path analysis | BMC Public Health

Obesity in children is a general public worry around the globe and is affiliated with form 2 diabetic issues, hypertension, and an amplified hazard of obesity in adulthood [1, 2]. For instance, in Japanese faculty-aged small children, 11.1{e4f787673fbda589a16c4acddca5ba6fa1cbf0bc0eb53f36e5f8309f6ee846cf} of boys and 8.8{e4f787673fbda589a16c4acddca5ba6fa1cbf0bc0eb53f36e5f8309f6ee846cf} of women aged 11 years had been categorized as obese in 2019 [3]. In comparison to other formulated international locations, amounts of being overweight in Japanese college-aged little ones are low [4] nevertheless, the percentage has grown in the very last 10 many years [3]. In particular in women, elementary university-age pupils are additional likely to be overweight or obese than junior large university or high school-age college students [3]. Therefore, blocking weight problems in kids is crucial for their upcoming wellness.

Excessive sedentary habits is associated with weak wellness and can final result in improved adiposity, worse cardiometabolic overall health and health and fitness, impaired behavioral perform/professional-social behavior, and lessened rest duration [5]. For small children, various recent physical action pointers [6, 7] recommend recreational display screen time of no much more than 2 h for every day (i.e., seeing television [T.V.], electronic video clip discs, or videos, taking part in T.V. video games, or utilizing personal computers or the web) and staying away from prolonged periods of sitting down. However, youngsters commit much too much time on their recreational display screen time around the world [8]. For instance, in the United States, 66{e4f787673fbda589a16c4acddca5ba6fa1cbf0bc0eb53f36e5f8309f6ee846cf} of youngsters spend at minimum 2 h of display time per working day [9]. In Japan, approximately 60{e4f787673fbda589a16c4acddca5ba6fa1cbf0bc0eb53f36e5f8309f6ee846cf} of small children have been found to exceed the 2 h for each day mark of monitor time [10].

Moms and dads perform an crucial part in children’s everyday determination-earning through modeling, regulations or restrictions, social guidance, and co-participation [11, 12]. Preceding review reports have proven that parents’ monitor time is positively correlated with children’s display time [13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27], and co-viewing with mom and dad has been associated with elevated display time in youngsters [28, 29]. Additionally, the affect on children’s display screen time seems to be dependent on the sex of the guardian, as a former study noted that mothers’ screen-based mostly behaviors showed a positive correlation with children’s screen time [17, 28, 29]. However, few research have regarded as gender variances in parental roles. Scientific tests that have examined equally the father’s and mother’s affect on children’s sedentary actions report that as opposed to the father’s sedentary conduct, the mother’s sedentary behavior influences the child’s sedentary habits a lot more [28, 29]. Xu et al. [30] concluded that cutting down parents’ monitor time could minimize their child’s screen time. Therefore, examining the effects of both equally fathers’ and mothers’ display screen time on little ones is important.

In addition to the influence of the parents’ gender, it has been described that the affect of the parents’ screen time on children’s display time may differ concerning weekdays and weekends [19, 27]. Jago et al. (2014) [27] concluded that associations noticed amongst father or mother and baby monitor-viewing ended up different involving weekdays and the weekend they confirmed that on a weekday, young children had been 3.4 situations additional most likely to exceed 2 h of display screen viewing if their father viewed T.V. for at minimum 2 h for every day, when for a weekend day, kids ended up 4.8 times extra probable. There were being very similar associations for mothers small children ended up 3.7 occasions far more possible to exceed 2 h of display screen viewing if their mother watched T.V. for at the very least 2 h per working day on a weekday, although young children were 4.7 instances more possible for a weekend. On the other hand, to our understanding, only a couple of scientific tests have examined the differentiation involving weekdays and weekends [18, 19, 27].

The indirect effects and the toughness of paternal and maternal display time on children’s screen time and system mass index (BMI) have not been examined. Even so, some reports have examined each of these variables specifically, this kind of as parents’ screen time and children’s display time [13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30] or children’s display time and BMI [5]. Considering the influence of the behaviors of each father and mother on children in serious everyday living, parental behaviors might effects children’s monitor time and BMI, and ideas for distinct interventions to strengthen children’s health and fitness may well be possible as a result of investigation. Hence, the present review examined how the direct and indirect outcomes of parents’ and children’s monitor time behaviors influenced children’s BMI amongst Japanese elementary school small children.

November 28, 2022

Farmington Elementary School: What are you thankful for? 2022 | InsideNoVa Culpeper – Culpeper Times

Learners from 3 Farmington Elementary Faculty fourth quality courses outlined what they ended up grateful for this Thanksgiving year.

Farmington Elementary School: What are you thankful for? 2022 — **Mr. Atkin’s Class**

SUBMITTED

Mr. Atkin’s Class:

I am grateful for my family mainly because they adore me and they buy me things. I am also grateful for my mom mainly because she built me born. – Mariela Aguilar Domingo

I’m thankful for my family and buddies since my relatives puts a roof on my head, and my mates assist me have exciting. – Delaney Bellows

I am thankful for my mom and dad, Carrington, Delaney, Hannah, and Paisley. – Armani Blakey

I am grateful for my academics mainly because they instruct me what I do not know. – Jaelynn Cooper

I am grateful for my life. – Ethan Davis

I am grateful for Rodrigo due to the fact he arrives to my home and play with me. – Marvin Guevara Torres

I am thankful for my pals for the reason that there awesome to me. And my spouse and children for the reason that they appreciate me. – Mathew Hernandez Gomez

I am grateful for my cherished kinds simply because they care for me! They take treatment of me when my mother is working and make positive I’m wholesome. – Kingston Jones

I am thankful for my household due to the fact they like me and function properly. – Diego Lodise Winchester

I am thankful for my household because they are wonderful. – Yenifer Lopez Perez

I am thankful for my mom mainly because she places meals on the table. – Kevin Michel

I am thankful for my spouse and children for the reason that they give me appreciate and foodstuff. – Bryan Morales Perez

I am thankful for my mother for having care of me. – Samuel Moussi

I am thankful for my dad. – Erick Ortega Lopez

I am grateful for my mother since she feeds me and requires treatment of me. – Hesler Perez Pablo

I am thankful for my teacher mainly because he is nice! – Keily Rafael

I am thankful for my teacher, Mr. Atkin. – Yonathan Ramos Ramirez

I am thankful for my moms and dads because they set a roof in excess of my head and take treatment of me. I’m delighted I have a relatives. – Sefora Rodriguez Flores

I am grateful for my pet dog, Luna. She is cute and she is a hound puppy and wonderful dane blend so I enjoy her so much and that will by no means change. – Isaac Sanchez

I am thankful for acquiring a roof over my head. – Elijah Shanks

I am thankful for my mom because she cooks for me and my sisters. – Valeria Tapia

I am thankful for my teacher, Mr. Atkin for the reason that he teaches me very well, and he is type and nice. I am glad I have a instructor like him. – Carrington Washington

I am thankful for a very hot cooked meal, my good friends, my loved ones, and my phone!!! – Paisley Williams

I am thankful for my mom. – Damaje Fairly

What are you thankful for 2022 — **Mrs. Teitelbaum’s Course**

Mrs. Teitelbaum’s Course

I am thankful to God for generating the earth and making men and women and pet dogs, cats and for producing me and mother and my father, food stuff, mountains, and for generating room. – Nathaniel Anavisca

I am grateful for my school. They teach us math, science and social reports and They give us free of charge lunch. The bus drivers get us home securely and acquire me back to faculty safely. – Jose Antunez Vasquez

I am grateful for sporting activities. – Yonathan Cacao Tiul

I am grateful for soccer for the reason that you can shoot objectives. – Nicholas Chirinos

I am grateful for my family members. I am thankful for soccer because I like it. – Selvin Duarte Rubio

I am grateful for my family since they are funny. – Kaylie Gatewood

I am grateful for every person in the university simply because they educate us and enable us. Heynor Godinez Cinto

I am grateful for my father since my dad survived in the Navy. I’m grateful for that and for every person in my household. – Reniyeh Harrington-Jenkins

I am grateful for my 2 dogs mainly because they make me smile each individual working day. I adore them so a great deal. – Hannah Henderson

I am grateful for a roof about my head and clothing on my entire body. Even if I did not have any garments or a home, I would nonetheless set a smile on my encounter and try out to are living a great existence. – Camryn Johnson

I am grateful for soccer and a roof above my head and college. – Bradley Lopes Reyes

I am thankful for our world earth because we have food items friends and households on world earth and we have God and we have food stuff, thoroughly clean h2o and we have university and we have sports to observe and we can go outdoors enjoy with our good friends and we can try to eat. – Dimas Lopez Quintanilla

I am thankful for God and good friends/spouse and children, Since if we did not have God we would not be alive and loved ones assists you when you might be experience down. They change your frown upside down. – Riley Martin

I’m thankful for independence for the reason that we are free every working day. – Tobias Miller

I am grateful for God and my close friends and loved ones, due to the fact if I didn’t have God I wouldn’t be right here. I’m thankful for my close friends and relatives for the reason that they continue to keep a smile on my confront. – Charlee Nicholson

I am grateful for the armed service since they hold the environment harmless and guard us. They retain the entire world harmless. – Andrew Onufrey

I’m grateful for my mother and my father for placing a roof more than my head and preserving me safe. Kelcey Payne

I am grateful for my family. I am thankful for the foodstuff. – Samy

I am grateful for my mom and dad since they acquire me things that I like. They operate difficult to give us the things we want to endure. – Iker

I am thankful for meals for the reason that without it you will die of hunger. Mainly because no meals equals no individuals!! – Morgan T

I am grateful for my household since they make me smile everyday. They give me meals day to day and give me new garments. – Ka’leya

I am thankful for my relatives for the reason that my household will get me new clothing and they get me food stuff. I can do enjoyable factors with them. – Morgan W

Overlook Eckhart’s Course

I am thankful for my loved ones and my instructor who comes every working day to educate us. – Isabella

I am thankful for meals, the globe, and the people today who make homes. – Jordi

I am thankful for my family simply because they are great and type. – Natalie

I am grateful for my loved ones due to the fact they give me foods, clothing, and a roof more than my head. – Angel

I am grateful for my lecturers, my college, my classmates, and my friends. I am grateful for my mom and dad because they give matters for me. – Sean

I am grateful for my dad and mom for the reason that they are wonderful to my sister and me. – Joel

I am thankful for my toddler sister. I am grateful for my academics and mates. – ZaLayah

I am grateful for my animals and my relatives. – Aiden

I am grateful for my teachers because they train me so I can get excellent grades. I am grateful for my mom and dad due to the fact they make foodstuff for me and they assistance me with my research. – Rhys

I am thankful for my lecturers, my loved ones, the roof above my head, and my good friends. – Dedonjali

I am grateful for my household, my faculty, and my existence. – Alexis

I am thankful for my spouse and children and my pals due to the fact they support me get by way of rough situations and enable me do hard points. – Violet

I am grateful for my relatives and other people mainly because they support me with issues that I simply cannot do on my have. – Wynter

I am grateful for my cousins, my parents, my brothers and sisters and my pals. – Baylee

I am thankful for my household for the reason that they are practical and they give me dresses and meals. – Alesandro

I am grateful for my household, my close friends, and my school. – Sarah

I am grateful for my brother for the reason that he will help me if I tumble, get harm, or if I am worried of one thing. – Brooklyn

I am grateful for my toys, my residence, and my household. – Christopher

I am thankful for my mother mainly because she aids me with matters that are tricky and she makes meals for my family members. She performs with me and watches films with the family. – Enrique

I am grateful for my mother since without my mother I wouldn’t be sensation good. She requires great care of me when I am ill. – Henry

I am thankful for my mom simply because she will take treatment of me. I am grateful for my brothers and my sister. – Demetrius

I am grateful for my family, meals, and to commit my days with my relatives. – Kevin

I am grateful that I have a household, meals, and pleasant apparel. – Madison

I am grateful for the lunch females at faculty for building us foodstuff. I am grateful for my family. – Rudy

April 6, 2022

The Future of Moocs | Times Higher Education (THE)

During the pandemic, educators at all degrees were being all of a sudden forced to educate remotely. The ordeals of colleagues at my university had been usual of educators throughout the world: most experienced minimal to no prior expertise educating on-line. Regardless of this “trial by fire” encounter, lots of came to recognise that distant instructing is right here to stay.

Some visionaries declare that the world wide pandemic has offered the needed impetus to change significant open up on the web classes (Moocs) into superior gear. Not long ago, Arizona Point out College introduced a prepare to teach 100 million pupils remotely over the following 10 years.

Though one particular can not argue with the potential of electronic know-how to provide crisis educational services all through a global pandemic, Moocs in their current type are considerably from the panacea their proponents imagine. Enthusiasm for these classes can be substantial at the registration period, but completion charges usually plummet all those who persist are dominated by teams that are minimum in will need of totally free and open up educational resources, particularly people now with school levels.

The pandemic furnished a normal experiment to look at the professionals and downsides of distinct modes of remote instruction. In excess of the past 18 months we carried out a analysis review in which 37 school college students majoring in different disciplines, who have been enrolled in physics classes, had been interviewed independently for an hour just about every about their distant mastering ordeals for the duration of the pandemic. These interviews have been coupled with a written survey offered to 1,145 physics undergraduates. Their answers informed us a lot about what does and does not perform with regards to remote instruction.

Our interviews propose that the most significant determinants of student satisfaction and functionality had been associated to human connections with instructors and friends. Pupils were being so starved for human interaction that the tiniest of endeavours manufactured by instructors to inject some humanity into interactions were welcomed. Paying a couple minutes at the commencing of classes inquiring about how undergraduates were being dealing with adversity was especially welcomed.

These empathetic discussions were usually rather limited, but they experienced an outsized impact on scholar morale. Some students wished that this type of casual relationship with instructors and peers at the commence of every course was the norm even in common programs during ordinary moments. College students have been significantly much more likely to show up at classes in which instructors incorporated these short check-ins as a typical characteristic.

Learners in standard most well-liked synchronous lectures by the instructors. Most students also appreciated flipped courses in which synchronous components ended up included, this kind of as pre-recorded movie lectures with energetic engagement things to do by way of Zoom. Nonetheless, the usefulness of these in-class and out-of-class activities required to be paired with an suitable quality incentive to continue to keep college students engaged.

This sentiment of learners is steady with our prior research which demonstrates that a majority of students have problem partaking with on-line proof-dependent self-paced studying applications except if there is a grade incentive linked with the out-of-course engagement with on-line instruments. Interviewed students also noted that in flipped courses, when instructors delivered quality incentives for out-of-class elements, it ensured that college students stayed on process and managed their time properly, not like classes in which college students were being only graded by using a couple examinations. In courses in which grades were being decided by a number of exams, many learners fell driving with the out-of-course and synchronous factors and crammed in advance of the examinations, which was not conducive to studying.

The probability to be portion of the classroom local community via asynchronous Q&A platforms, such as Piazza, was also enormously appreciated. Sensation component of the classroom group – like interacting with instructors and friends – lowered procrastination, improved time administration and self-regulation, and greater college student consideration and engagement in the course.

Our investigate indicates that a essential thought in scaling online education, like Moocs, is humanising it place basically, students ought to come to feel like they are element of the classroom local community. College students want to sense supported by human beings. They thrive when they experience a bond with their instructors and friends.

Making the classroom local community and facilitating helpful interactions between pupils and instructors does not essentially have to have instructors spending a lot of time. What issues is the legitimate favourable intent and hard work. Instructors will be astonished by how a great deal students are touched by their tiny gestures and time dedication to empathetic discussions as perfectly as own guidance in on-line classes.

What ever college students or staff may well would like, on-line learning is not likely absent. But it won’t go as far as a lot of men and women have envisioned in the past both except if the human ingredient is woven into online education.

Humanising on-line mastering is the finest, possibly only, way to enhance student enthusiasm and commitment to develop into element of a mastering group, which will increase their perception of belonging and motivation to engage. If we include these tenets, the certainly democratised on-line instruction that Moocs promised to produce far more than a 10 years back could ultimately develop into a fact.

Chandralekha Singh is Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Pittsburgh, and earlier president of the American Association of Physics Instructors.

December 19, 2021

The chaos of online education in India’s pandemic times

Among the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the just one which wants far much more attention than it is obtaining is the condition of education and learning in article-pandemic India.

COVID-19 induced college closures have adversely affected about 320 million children from pre-main to tertiary amounts, the Ministry of Training claimed to the Parliamentary Committee of Women’s Empowerment, in its very first formal admission of the impact of the pandemic. Out of the hundreds of thousands of youngsters impacted thanks to school closures, 49.37 per cent have been ladies. There are several triggers and elements contributing to this predicament.

Deepening Digital Divide:

The worries confronted by the Indian schooling process have been amplified for the duration of the pandemic with federal government schools especially battling to transition from conventional in-human being mastering to on-line schooling. With features like even electrical energy remaining scarce in quite a few parts of the state, it is no surprise that a important chunk did not have access to the web, laptops and smartphones.

In accordance to the Faculty Children’s On-line and Offline Studying, or College, survey overseen by a group of economists together with Jean Dreze and Reetika Khera, 77{e4f787673fbda589a16c4acddca5ba6fa1cbf0bc0eb53f36e5f8309f6ee846cf} of households in city parts and 51{e4f787673fbda589a16c4acddca5ba6fa1cbf0bc0eb53f36e5f8309f6ee846cf} in villages have obtain to smartphones – many thanks to the ongoing digital revolution in India and possible details rates. Having said that, only 31{e4f787673fbda589a16c4acddca5ba6fa1cbf0bc0eb53f36e5f8309f6ee846cf} of youngsters in cities and 15{e4f787673fbda589a16c4acddca5ba6fa1cbf0bc0eb53f36e5f8309f6ee846cf} in villages are in a position to make use of smartphones for academic functions. The wage earner’s declare on the telephone evidently outweighs its utility as an educational device.

Young kids in major college are specially hit really hard as they typically have the least access to technologies which raises some very disturbing options. A yr-and-a-50 {e4f787673fbda589a16c4acddca5ba6fa1cbf0bc0eb53f36e5f8309f6ee846cf} of pandemic-relevant school closures have produced a 4-yr understanding deficit in accordance to a study of just about 1,400 underprivileged university children throughout 15 Indian states. A university student who was in Quality 3 ahead of COVID-19 is now in Quality 5, and will before long enter middle college, but with the reading capabilities of a Quality 1 pupil.

Some students are considerably even worse off than other folks

Students knowledgeable various impacts on their education and learning based on their socioeconomic strata, gender and no matter if they resided in city or rural locations. Students in private schools and these from homes with large socioeconomic standing (SES) have more obtain to electronic devices and are more engaged in normal instructional functions than their friends in authorities faculties and from minimal-SES households.

Reduced economic exercise because of to the pandemic led to families staying pushed into poverty who were then not able to fork out faculty fees for their small children. A number of little ones had to drop out of faculty and take up employment to assist their people that have been having difficulties because of to money decline or pandemic-connected loss of life of a household member. Almost 1.2 lakh children have been orphaned in India considering the fact that the start out of COVID-19.

Even though large SES households can resort to Edtech market place corporations like Byjus, Eruditus and even get personal tuitions for their young children, very low SES people are slipping behind with some who really don’t have this tutorial year’s textbooks and finding out supplies.

The probable improve of understanding poverty could have a devastating impression on foreseeable future productivity and earnings for this overall technology of kids and youth, their households and the world’s economies explained Jaime Saavedra, Environment Financial institution International Director for Education and learning to the Indian Express.

Gender will come into engage in

Article the college closures, women are envisioned to aid in domestic chores and support dad and mom in caring for their young siblings. Worsening financial distress also usually means malnutrition and early marriages, particularly for adolescent women.

Out of the 320 million youngsters affected because of to university closures, 49.37 for each cent ended up girls, the Ministry of Education described to the Parliamentary Committee of Women’s Empowerment. “Post pandemic, this can direct to a larger possibility of girls permanently dropping out of school and reversing the gains built more than new several years. One cannot also dismiss the actuality that there is a gender dimension in electronic obtain to finding out. In households which have a one smartphone, it is possible that sons will be offered the preference to entry on line classes, followed by girls, if time permits,” the ministry advised the panel.

Instructors – a critical component of the equation

Shipping of schooling was lopsided even before the pandemic but has exacerbated owing to training being shifting to the on the net ecosystem. Small children are missing the assistance of lecturers, now even extra so as mothers and fathers are unable to assist with their research just about every day. Research with no frequent feedback from teachers has questionable pedagogic benefit.

Instructors as well are having difficulties to adapt to the electronic area, especially government university academics, numerous of whom are not nicely versed in English and are not tech-savvy. In a study posted by the Delhi Fee for Security of Baby Rights’ very first journal, it was discovered that 43{e4f787673fbda589a16c4acddca5ba6fa1cbf0bc0eb53f36e5f8309f6ee846cf} of 220 teachers ended up disappointed with the on the net method of schooling as they felt that it hindered their means.

UNESCO calls for India to recognise instructors as “front line workers” in the battle towards the pandemic and it is certainly up to the academics to assist get children again to progress.

Instructors need to have to use qualified instruction and align instruction to the mastering level of learners, alternatively than an assumed beginning stage or curricular expectation to aid the induce.

Why physical lecture rooms are crucial for pupils

The pandemic has not only disrupted the mastering but also the socioemotional nicely-currently being of college students. Learning in house environments and a absence of selected review room can affect children’s understanding.

Students are also deprived by the absence of physical activity and the publicity presented by a social natural environment like the college. The balance in their life has absent for a toss and consequent on your own time, lack of actions and friendships has resulted in despair and even loneliness in some children.

Most of all, the midday meal provision, a fantastic blessing to several college students in India has occur to a halt foremost to the malnourishment of numerous kids.

A rusty silver lining amidst the chaos

There has on the other hand been a optimistic effect amidst the devastating outcomes COVID-19 experienced on global education. The pandemic has opened gates to innovative techniques of transmission of expertise throughout the world. Schools are now using blended mastering and encouraging instructors and college students to turn out to be technology savvy. Gentle technology, on-line, webinars, digital school rooms, teleconferencing, electronic tests and assessments grew to become a frequent phenomenon now. The expenditures on travel and the obtain of study products have gone down, which has resulted in some personal savings in these really hard occasions.

Finally, vaccinating children and lecturers is our way out of this predicament. While, some faculties have reopened for senior classes with stringent COVID-19 protocols, the probability of a third wave and the vaccinations for youngsters aged 12-17 continue to not being authorized reveals that it could take a though just before the condition of instruction can boost in India.

December 16, 2021

Influencer of the Week: Christina Clark of Dillard Street Elementary School | West Orange Times & Observer

Christina Clark has served Dillard Street Elementary for 16 years as a kindergarten and third-grade teacher. For the past three years, she has supported ESE students and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports process on campus by helping coordinate and implement strong interventions for the school’s most vulnerable students. She consistently develops partnerships with community businesses who provide supports to DSES. She also is the Partners In Education coordinator. She was Teacher of the Year in 2018-19.

What brought you to your school?

My previous school was downsizing due to remodeling and moving campuses during the remodel. Since I was a first-year teacher, my position was cut. The assistant principal there suggested Dillard since it was close by and they had some positions available.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the students and staff! Dillard feels like a big family.

What is your motivation?

My motivation has always been to make a difference. Seeing the students succeed after working so hard is truly rewarding.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to run, go to theme parks, travel and spend time with my family.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

I had several teachers (who) really made an impact on me. Margaret Wright was my fourth-grade teacher at Ridgewood Park Elementary, and I remember her being so caring. She took an interest in our lives and made us each feel important. One of my middle school teachers, Fred Dana, was always very encouraging and made learning interesting.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

Depending on what age you asked me, it was either a news reporter or a teacher. I was always interested in what was going on and thought it would be so cool to travel around the world to report on different events. I also loved to learn and thought it would be fun to be able teach others.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book is “Where the Wild Things Are,” by Maurice Sendak. I love the lessons you can learn from it, and I found Max’s wild imagination relatable.

What are your hobbies?

I love to run, especially at Disney. I’ve completed two marathons, along with several other race distances. I also love just going to Disney or Universal to ride the rides, eat and see the shows. When I have time, I love to read.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

I love “Star Wars,” so I would want to have Force abilities. You are not limited to just one power.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

This is really a hard question because I have a very eclectic taste in music. One of my selections would definitely be Queen, though. They have so many great songs; I have a bunch of them on my running playlist, and they keep me pumped up. Narrowing down the other two is more difficult. I would really have to give that some more thought.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

I like any reason to celebrate or dress up, so I love all holidays. Christmas is my favorite, though. I love the movies, the songs, the decorations and the spirit of giving that this season inspires.

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

I have several that I’m still touch with.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

I was homeschooled for high school, so none. In college, I regularly made the Dean’s List.

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December 9, 2021

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK: Michelle Lucas-Lawhorne, of Whispering Oak Elementary School | West Orange Times & Observer

Michelle Lucas-Lawhorne is a Voluntary Pre-K teacher at Whispering Oak Elementary School. Her day is divided into a morning and an afternoon program, with two separate groups of children ages 4 and 5. She teaches her students school-readiness skills, such as letters, sounds and numbers; as well as classroom routines and responsibilities that help them transition successfully to kindergarten and elementary school in general. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2017-18 and was named an A+ teacher for Spectrum News 13 this year.

What brought you to your school?

When Whispering Oak Elementary was first built, I lived within the community and thought it would be a great opportunity to work with children in my community. It was also a bonus that it was so close to home and I could attend many after school functions.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the strong sense of community that has always been here. The students, the families and my colleagues here have always been great and promoted a positive atmosphere.

What is your motivation?

My motivation has always been to help students reach their full potential and to enjoy learning. To not only learn the ABC’s and 123’s but to also learn to be good communicators, be helpful to those around them and to spread kindness.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Watching the students grow and flourish. It is so rewarding to see where students start out and how much they grow in a single school year.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to play and snuggle with my two dogs, watch Hallmark Christmas movies, take naps, and spend time with my husband and family.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

It is very difficult for me to pick just one. I had amazing teachers throughout my schooling. I attended many OCPS schools growing up. The one that I think made a such a difference in my life was my fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Police. His classroom was amazing. He not only taught us what we needed to know for school, but he taught us life skills, like being organized.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Since I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was younger, I had a lot of great teachers who were there for me, supported me, mentored me and inspired me to want to do the same thing one day when I was older. Teaching is truly a calling.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book is “The Gingerbread Girl” because she is strong and determined.

What are your hobbies?

I would say a hobby of mine is creating new games for my students to learn important concepts in a creative way. I also love spending time with my family.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

If I could have one superpower, it would be time travel so that I could go back and spend time with family and friends who are no longer with me.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

Journey, Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift. I have always loved Journey’s music, especially the song “Don’t Stop Believing.” I have seen Garth Brooks three times in concert, and I love country music in general, but his songs are so fun and energetic and great to sing along to. I love Taylor Swift ever since she showed up to the scene. Her songs are fun. I believe she is very down to earth, as well as a good person.

What was your go-to lunch as an elementary student? Any favorite snacks or special treats you remember?

PBJ! Extra-crunchy Jiff peanut butter and strawberry jam. To this day, I love PBJ sandwiches, and if I do not feel like making them, my husband will make them for me.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas! I love the music, decorations, the meaning of Christmas — and hanging out with my family has always been important to me. It’s a special time of the year for me.

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

My best friend was my sister Jennifer. We always encouraged and uplifted each other.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

I was a member of the National Honor Society.

How long have you been at your school and with OCPS?

I have worked for OCPS for 22 years, the last 15 at my current school, Whispering Oak Elementary.