My beloved friends, family, and community,

What a full year it has been! Like most of you, I have experienced highs and lows like no other in my own life as well as collectively in this unprecedented year. From continued Black Lives Matter movements, political animosity in an election year, and navigating loss and transition in a global pandemic, I am sending you all big hugs. I see you.

WINTER: I started 2020 as an AVID tutor at the middle and high school, nannying my neighbors (still the best 2 and 6 year olds on the block!!), and substitute teaching different grades and subject areas. I got to say, I had some funny moments with students and staff alike assuming I was a middle or high school student and not the teacher! My chubby cheeks are getting me places!

SPRING: In March, the stay home orders came into effect and all 3 of my jobs ended abruptly. Then, I started my Master’s in Teaching program in Secondary Social Studies through the University of Washington in Seattle. The program switched to being online so I stayed in Bremerton. I thought I was doing great with all of the unexpected transitions, but in my first week of school, I found out I developed shingles (a super painful viral infection that attacks a nerve cord). Which is usually caused by stress, yikes!

SUMMER: I treasured and relished in moments of delight that were big and small. I had a pretty good gig doing my school outside which was lovely. Other magic moments from the summer include getting visited by a rooster friend, going on camping trips, hikes, biking, gardening, eating wild berries, getting to swim in the Salish Sea and various lakes, and cherishing walks with friends (both in person and on the phone).

FALL: At the beginning of the school year, I was scheduled to start my student teaching placement. Because of complications with teachers and school districts being under a lot of stress, the process took a long time! In October, I had graduate school classes but still did not have a teaching placement so… I got a job at UPS and worked there until the beginning of January. It was so GREAT! There were many jobs that I found myself doing but mostly I was in a semi truck trailer making walls with an endless sea of boxes, bags that weighed as much as I do full of small packages, and other packages (like a tuba, lots of car parts, truck tires, and the like). It was a super workout! And a great opportunity to socialize with people (not square icons on Zoom) while being masked up and socially distanced in our warehouse.

WINTER: December was a busy month as I finished up fall quarter assignments, got to be a substitute teacher for an awesome group of fourth graders online (I had SO MUCH FUN with this opportunity!), working in the evenings, and finally getting a placement for student teaching! I am student teaching in an 8th grade U.S. History classroom online with the middle school I worked at last year and have a very supportive mentor teacher, woohoo! I am so grateful.

There were some major family medical situations (that are still unfolding). My step dad went through chemo & radiation, surgery to remove a cancerous mass, and is currently going through the second round of chemotherapy. I am so thankful that even with all of the health trials, he has had a super positive attitude, is still his silly self, and has found a new hobby of creating lego stop motion videos. My Lolo (grandpa) who I live with has had Dementia for the past 8 years and in the past 2 months has gone through a huge shift, which has increased his care needs. I am so grateful for my family and the ways that we can come together to support my Lola (grandma) who is the full time caregiver and Lolo in this transition.

Within this year full of rawness and the need to be flexible, there is also an awareness of the sensitivity and emotional needs that we have. I am going to counseling again and am recognizing and being gentle with myself as I go through transitions and process life. I hope you are too. And a huge thank you for all of your support and prayers.

Going into 2021, my word for the year is ~embrace~ I am taking stock of the values I have, what I know about myself, areas I am working to grow in and embracing them more fully, digging deeper into the work that I am doing. This includes the relationships I have, committing to pushing myself in my teaching practice, continuing exercise, and engaging in action for racial and social justice. It is also a reminder to embrace the transitions that seem to be never ending, especially as I prepare to graduate with my Master’s in Secondary (6-12th grade) History and English Language Learner Education this June and plan to start teaching this Fall!

I hope you enjoy these bunny & salal plant stickers I created as a reminder to be soft and nurture yourself in the abundance that we share. I am sending you SO MUCH LOVE!

Living and Thriving on Suquamish, S’Klallam, and Duwamish land

With love,

Breanne