HAPPY NEW YEAR 2000-2009

As the New Year begins in Australia, it follows the time around the world as Earth revolves. Happy New Year from Midnight Aussie time to Midnight around the world!

Education is our priority & passion

I came across an interesting video examining a philosophy of education.

http://www.teachertube.com/v.php?viewkey=7c0dfe2861199e00c9bb

Gwen Foote pursues her doctorate in Education: NOVA Southeastern University

This video was amazing when we gave our presentations in class.

This inspires me to want to teach more with technology.

I enjoy finding podcasts and videos on http://www.youtube.com%20for/for visual audio simulations in class. Our students enjoy singing along with them. Discovery, National Geographic, and History Channel websites are great resources for teaching.

We have a few laptops for our science class and need some more.

Our goal is to raise money for a SMART Board for science class at Nautilus Middle School.

http://www.nautilusibsharks.spaces.live.com/

Gwen Foote receives grant awards for Nautilus Middle School

Kristin Hoyer, Language Arts teacher & Gwen Foote , Science Teacher both receive

grant awards for their classes at Nautilus Middle School.

The Education Fund’s 20th Annual Citi Success Fund Awards Ceremony took place October 20 at the Sofitel Hotel Ballroom, Miami Florida. The Citi Success Fund provides funds to educators for innovative projects addressing the drop out problem in our schools. Projects provide opportunities for at risk youth to experience success in their education and lives.
Gwen Foote was awarded a grant for “Icky Ichthyology”. By creating a classroom saltwater tank, students can study and monitor the diversity and relationships of living ocean life through hands on experiments. Students can collect and analyze data to establish criteria for preserving endangered species and creating a healthy ocean environment. Students will integrate technology with active scientific investigations of marine conservation, while studying live specimens in the classroom aquarium.

Nautilus Middle School International Baccalaureate Candidate School

Our classroom in Miami Beach, is multicultural- Hispanic, Black, Asian/Indian, and white (non-Hispanic). We encourage students to learn science through inquiry and utilize technology in our classroom exploratory activities. We participate in "hands on" laboratories to engage students in active learning. Students enjoy a virtual interactive activities with competitive teams practicing FCAT (SAT) questions using computer and projected questions.We also encourage experiments and investigations to pursue their own interests in life and college aspirations. Funds are very limited and we need help in obtaining science kits, equipment, and supplies! We need SMART Board interactive technology system and laptops for lessons with simulated activities.Students are science students enrolled in an International Baccalaureate Program. Nautilus Middle School is in the first year as International Baccalaureate Candidate School.
Thank you to any who could help us help our students.
http://www.adoptaclassroom.com/adoption/Locator_SchoolDetail.aspx?src=1&ClassroomId=27335&SchoolId=81694&Private=0&inter=0

Nautilus Middle School / Mast Outreach Laboratory Collaboration

Nautilus Middle School science students enjoyed a special experience learning with MAST Academy's Outreach Laboratory - LandSHARC.

Students investigated marine life and ocean environment through virtual interactive computer programs and laboratory examination of marine specimens with activities like radiotelemetry, classification and clinical laboratory procedures.

MAST Academy, part of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, is a magnet school that hosts this exciting outreach lab visiting and teaching schools in the Miami area.
Gwen Foote, Science Teacher,

Nautilus Middle School "Home of the Sharks"
IB Candidate School

My son, Shawn R. Scarbrough

I classified this as wellness because, to remember true memories and able to express feelings is to know wellness. My students have been asking me about my son.

I ran across these photos, thinking they (and he) would enjoy them. In 1988, I took Shawn to Australia to visit friends and art clients. We rode with the "real" men from Snowy River (as in the Disney movie, on the actual horses in the movie), Mick and his children. Shawn was a charmer with animals, our own, owls, hawks, and deer. He is an amazing person, caring, happy, and strong as a child and son. Friends with his cousins, like Danny Jr. and Angela, they had close relationships. He was close with and fond of his grandfather, Maj. John Foote Sr., alike in spirit and very close as grandfather and grandson. It is no wonder Shawn went to Iraq, as a marine, and came back safe and sound. Warriors and military leaders run in our Foote family. We lived with his grandparents for 6 months and cherish that time spent with them.
I was a major influence in Shawn's life and it is evident in his life now. We were tremendously close and I had the opportunity to be involved in all of his activities and clubs. I am thankful for having the chance to be his mother and am very proud of him. We had the experience of traveling across the country as I was working as a freelance artist, from Dallas, Texas to Seattle, WA, back through Denver when he was 9 years old. My little sister, Darlene and I still am greatful for the memories. We were living in Dallas at the time.
I love him and always will, regardless of time, distance, and situations that our busy lives present.
Mothers need to always enjoy the time they have with their children. It flies by so quickly!

Agroecology Summer Workshop for Teachers at Florida International University

Florida International University Agroecology Program for Teachers

The FIU Agroecology Program is a comprehensive program that integrates education, research and training of university and high school students and teachers on agricultural issues at farm level and regional landscape level. The program focuses on interfacing agriculture, natural ecosystems and urban development and consists of specialized undergraduate agroecology courses, field trips, summer internships, graduate fellowships, and training workshops for university students and high school teachers.

The objective of this workshop fosters a relationship between teachers, FIU instructors, local government, and non-profit institutions. Participants experience practical application of relevant science curricula in agro-ecological sciences with a strong commitment to the future well-being of people and environment.
This workshop has been made possible by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.
July 14-18, 2008

"Agroecology: principles, practices and research applications" Dr. Krish Jayachandran

Dr. Mahadev Bhat & Dr. Krish Jayachandran
Agroecology Program at FIU
Florida International University
Department of Environmental Studies
11200 SW 8th StreetMiami, Florida 33199



The five-day workshop covers advancements in agroecological issues facing South Florida and beyond, by experts from FIU, USDA, Archbold Biological Station, other agencies and farmers, in a three-day field trip to USDA Horticultural Research Station, Miami, and MacArthur AgroEcological Research Center, Lake Placid, Florida.This program is funded through a grant from USDA-CSREES.


The focus of these programs is on the triangular interface between agriculture, natural ecosystems, and urban areas. The image below depicts the underlying connection between these three different areas, with some of the positive and negative feedback effects. South Florida presents an ideal setting to study the relationships between natural, agricultural, and urban areas due to the availability of these three different types of environments. The fragile Everglades covers most of south Florida and is impacted by the pressure from the growing population of the nearby urban areas. Productive agricultural lands are necessary to provide for the increasing population, which in turn put more pressure on the natural areas.

Solstice in the South

December 21 Happy Solstice
I teach at Nautilus Middle School Science.
We’re off for Holidays so’
“Merry Christmas”
“Happy Hanukah”
“Happy Kwanzaa”
And
“Happy Solstice”
I enjoy teaching at Nautilus Middle School.
Our students are inspiring and motivating.

Miami is a great place for Xmas Holidays,

Everyone enjoy your holidays!!
Visiting San Antonio is a lovely place to spend time with family.
Weather is pleasant and so is family at the holiday time.

New Home in Florida

Following my Life's Path
For the last 7 years, I have been working as fulltime teacher, student, parttime college instructor, and earned another BS Degree, this time in Education. A Certification in Special Education/Exceptional Student Education was essential in helping me be an effective teacher. I have been teaching on an Indian Reservation in South Dakota and helping write grants to bring more educational opportunities in science, like NASA. I enjoy working with the youth. They are inspiring. Their energy and zest for life, keep meenthusiastic about my life and the world.
After the passing of our parents, I decided to take some time to balance my physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects. Traveling through other countries, I experienced cultures an spiritual teachings. I swam with sharks and rays in Bora Bora,Tahiti, sea turtles and dolphins in Hawaii and Mexico, helped with sea turtle hatchlings in Mexico and St Catherine's Island off the coast of Georgia.

My adventures included expanding my professional development for teaching science, like sea turtles hatching in Georgia with Southern Georgia University. Attending the National Science Teachers' Association, I was appointed to a review board for Science Scope Magazine.

I spent a summer session teaching an honors program, Biology for Johns Hopkins University, Center for Talented Youth in Baltimore. As a registered medical technologist in hospitals for almost 20 years, I enjoy teaching science and laboratory techniques in medicine.

I was fortunate to have time with my sister and her family. My sister is one of my best friends for many years and our friendship has grown even deeper. Her family was lovely to allow me to be a part of their lives. Her husband is truly my brother and I'm glad my sister has such a good man. My sister is encouraging me to write professionally again, so I'm focused in that direction.

I am happy to have found my new home in Florida, teaching at Nautilus Middle School in Miami Beach.
The atmosphere for education professionalism is inspiring and outstanding in standards. My colleagues are motivating. The students are inspiring and remarkable.

Exploring Bora Bora

A week in Bora Bora, Tahiti

I was fascinated with Bora Bora so I made my way down for the equinox.
The major Island with atolls (small land masses) surrounding it.

This exploding volcano from many centuries ago contains a heavy density and is slowly sinking into the Pacific.
The Indigenous natives speak Tahitian, French (it’s French Polynesian), and many speak English.
The Island was like one big garden and I felt like I was in a dream while there. Natives were warm and hospitable and I learned a little Tahitian. Visitors came from around the world and spoke all languages.
I scuba dived around the island amazed by the beautiful coral reef, a variety of fish, sharks, manta and sting rays, and whales.

Afterwards, I enjoyed a relaxing evening on the patio, truly a room with a view!

The floor was sand and a relaxing fun afternoon was on the menu.

Tahitians are traditional in keeping their culture, language, and music alive.

Snorkeling on Bora Bora, Tahiti
Feeding Sting Rays and Sharks is a daily tradition.

Expedition to Cosmopolitan Art District

Ocean 5 Hotel had ambience and the staff was most helpful and friendly.
436 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Telephone number: (305) 532-7093 Ocean 5 Hotel

I only had to walk across the street to be on the beach. Going to Miami Beach, wear comfortable shoes and cool casual clothes. People are friendly and very multicultural. Conversation with locals and visitors are enlightening and refreshing. Speaking Spanish comes in very handy.
“Happy Hour” on hotels on Ocean Drive include sometimes drinks, sometimes menu items at half price. Cuisine is delightful and the view of people, vehicles, ocean is intriguing.

I enjoyed the food and drinks of various establishments on Ocean Drive across from the Beach. They were all terrific! –Sidewalk outside seating arrangements were romantic and allowed me to enjoy the atmosphere of the area. I stayed in the Art Deco area of Miami Beach. The architecture was amazing and breathtaking. Strolling along the beach was relaxing and fun with the variety of people in their activities. Ocean Drive is lined with hotels and restaurants, where I could dine and leisurely watch people saunter through and a variety of vehicles drive through the area like a parade. The multicultural flavor of the Art Deco neighborhood was refreshing and alive with excitement. I walked down the beach and boardwalk stopping now and tehn to refresh my self at various eateries. There were quite a number of sport activities on the beach.
Shopping was fantastic. Dress code was anything that was comfortable and suitable for the sunny weather. Walking around Miami Beach was easy and shops and malls were very accessible.
Security was nonstop and as a single woman, I felt safe to walk during day or night.Cuisine was seafood and cosmopolitan-Absolutely delicious. Restaurants on Ocean Drive, some with Happy Hour Menu specials on very exceptional cuisine at an affordable price. Dining on Ocean Drive watching the parade of vehicles and the beach activities. Ocean Drive Restaurants and HotelsCollins Avenue (1 street over from Ocean Drive) also had many prestigious hotels and resorts. Miami Beach as I walk down the shoreline.
This was my first trip to the Art Deco District of Miami, my most memorable part experiencing the architecture of the area. Day time was like a trip back in time and at night was a fantasy land with the light play on the buildings.I could sit at a sidewalk restaurant and watch people and old classic cars cruise Ocean Drive.

Historical Pilgrimage Through Thailand

January, I had the privilege of going to Thailand to experience changes 40 years after Viet Nam Crisis era. Our guide was a military Chaplin who worked with veterans and any interested in healing and growing from the difficult time. Pastor Herb Cleveland was our tour guide and friend in orienting us in this country previously known as Siam. Seeing “Anna and the King” was only a glimpse into an exciting ancient civilization.
We spent a week in Bangkok seeing palaces, walking tours of local markets, and learning about the city’s history.






















A quick flight allowed a tour of Chang Mai, visits to churches and monasteries; including the one the King of Siam spends a portion of his life. We paid homage to the Buddhist Temples.




A ride on Asian elephants in Teak Rain Forest was only a portion of the excitement. Some of these elephants paint and their works are auctioned and sold to help pay their expenses. Some of them even enjoy playing soccer. There was a marvelous orchid farm, growing orchids in air, and botanical gardens. Walking exploration of street and night markets exhibited a variety of clothes, native, and eclectic collection of merchandise. Children performed their native cultural dances on stage and some of these markets and dinner theatres.

We visited the Golden Triangle of historic fame where opium was the major money maker in the 60s and 70s. Today’s biggest industry, with the help of the King, is now tobacco, coffee, manufactured goods, and tourism. It’s beautiful with an impressive museum regarding the history of opium, its impact to the area and damage to the human body. We experienced the border of Thailand, Laos, and Burma(now Myanmar).

Payap University at Chang Mai was marvelous and impressive for an international university in this north Thailand area. We were honored to receive a tour of this academic institution.

There is a remarkable organization called New Life Center with a mission. It is a Christian organization which seeks to empower and equip at-risk or exploited tribal women through education and training, in order to create positive change in their lives and in society. We got to meet and participate in contributing to some courageous young women attending this center growing to positive responsible adults.

Cruising the Panama Canal

Cruising through the Panama Canal was amazing in recognizing the innovations and how life was improved in the world because of it. New enginneering design built a modern canal system never used before and Malaria was an obstacle that the entire world benefitted when the epidemiology and curable treatment was discovered.

The Panama Canal is a tollway shipping channel traveled many times a day everyday.
A rainforest sits in this canal that borders Columbia and Costa Rica. This rainforest is the home for families, schools of children and tropical wildlife.

Volcano Mt Paos, Costa Rica

Sea Turtle, endangered species are hatched in nurseries and released in Mexico to the Pacific Ocean.

Iguanas are native to Mexico.