brenda
Brenda is an Iowa native who has lived in the Iowa City area since 2005. She is married to her love, Robert, since 2012. Brenda is an elementary teacher by trade. She spent almost nine years as a stay at home parent but is now back in the classroom spending time with her school kids and being a mom to her own kids. She is the mom of three; Gabe (April, 2013) Maggie (April, 2015), and Julianna (September, 2017). Brenda enjoys being active by running and working out. She also enjoys trying new recipes, volunteering, playing board and card games, and being involved in church. Brenda is an elementary teacher and loves cheering on the Cubs, UNI Panthers, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. It is a busy but beautiful life!
Five Tips For a Stress-Free School Morning Routine
School is here! How are you feeling? Does the thought of getting everyone out the door by a certain time already make you panic? I know this all sounds overwhelming but it can be...
Guide to Starting Kindergarten in the Iowa City Area
Starting kindergarten can be daunting for both students and parents. When my oldest started Kindergarten, I remember a lot of information coming in quickly — and trying to keep track of everything was challenging....
Skip the Summer Slide with These 5 Tips
Summer is here! That means a time of rest, relaxation, being outside — and lots of fun. The last thing on the minds of most kids is school . . . or anything academic....
The TV Show Bluey Made Me Cry
Have you ever had a time when you were watching something with your kids and it made you cry? Well, my kids’ show made me cry. Yes that happened. Here’s the story.
In our...
The Time I Thought I Broke My Son’s Arm: Nursemaid’s Elbow
It was a late spring day. My then two-year-old son, newborn, and I were at a local gym for their tot-lot with friends. We had a great time playing with ride-on toys, going down...
It’s Been a Year Since Our Lives Changed Forever
“525,600 minutes. 525,600 minutes. How do you measure a year in the life?” A year. One whole year since our lives changed forever. The song “Seasons of Love” takes on a whole new meaning...
“The World Needs More Purple People” – A Book Review
As a mother and teacher, I am constantly trying to keep up on the latest books in publication. I love discovering books that tell a good story and teach a valuable lesson. I recently...
5 Books That Teach Children About Black Leaders
As a former full-time elementary classroom teacher, I absolutely loved this time of the year. It is a moment when we pause and think about lessons of kindness, of peaceful protest, and of marches...
2020: A Year of Reflection
2020 . . . what a year.
For so many of us, this year was hard. It was a year of loss. It was a year of isolation. It was a year of uncertainty. It...
Surviving (and Thriving) Iowa Winters with Kids: The Ultimate Tip List
Until you experience it, it is hard to fully describe an Iowa winter. Follow these tips for surviving and enjoying winter weather — these ideas are also helpful reminders for Iowans who might "forget"...