The Good Stuff | 2024

This is the third year I’ve compiled my “Good Stuff” list. Here are some of my most memorable moments from this past year.

Gratitude is good for you. If you make your own list, I'd love to read it.

I wish you the best of luck in the New Year!

January

1. Family trip to watch the Milwaukee Bucks play a Fiserv Forum. Unfortunately, the Bucks did not win.
2. My oldest daughter celebrated her 16th birthday.
3. I increased my physical activity and recorded short reflections when rucking and riding.
4. I presented some of my takeaways from the El Education National Conference with our school board.
5. My one-word reflection for the year was “Growth.” This has become a nice tradition.
6. My students made pasta pod racers for STEAM Day.
7. It may not seem like a big day, but I received a tangle-free Chromebook cart at the end of January.
8. The annual 8th-grade Fort Wilderness winter adventure was a hit once again.

February

1. Another season of swimming was in full swing for my daughter. She went to the state meet, and as always, I am very proud of her effort.
2. I connected with two college friends for fat biking and target shooting in Manitowish Waters. I hope we can do this again, maybe yearly.

March

1. The state swim was a nice family vacation at the beginning of this month. Great Grandma Doris was able to watch, which made it even more special. This also marks my youngest daughter’s birthday month. It’s going by far too fast.
2. We finally made it to Gulf Shores for Spring Break. My highlights included walking on the beach, eating great food, connecting with friends, and visiting Alligator Alley.
3. My ruck pack arrived this month. It’s become one of my favorite forms of exercise.
4. There weren’t many snow days this year, but we had one this month, which was greatly appreciated.
5. My oldest daughter started driving her vehicle, which was bittersweet.

April

1. It was such a mild month weather-wise. Although I missed winter sports, I was happy to get more biking outside.
2. Our school began preparing for Better World Day.
3. My 8th grader’s laser engraved coffee mugs for veterans. They turned out great.

May

1. Better World Day was on May 2. Here’s a summary of what our school did.
2. I turned 50. I purchased a brand-new gravel bike to celebrate, and my wife threw me a great party.
3. Our 8th graders complete their annual portfolio presentations, one of my favorite days of the school year. Shortly after, we took our class trip to the Kalahari water park in Wisconsin Dells.
4. We delivered the mugs that our students created to Camp American Legion.

June

1. I started my 26th summer painting.
2. Grateful we still own a pontoon boat. We put it in the water on June 11.
3. My dad and brother visited, and we spent time fishing in Boulder Junction, WI.
4. Both the girls participated in a swim race in Lake Minocqua.
5. Celebrate my mom’s and dad’s birthday.

July

1. We kept the streak alive this year by participating in a family camp at Camp Jorn YMCA. I’m grateful for this tradition.
2. I fell on my bike and dislocated my finger. This wasn’t great, but it sure beats having a broken finger.
3. We conquered the Pictured Rocks hiking trail as a family and with friends. Lake Superior looked just like an ocean. I have never been attacked by so many flies.

August

1. My brother and his family drove up for a visit. We all took joy rides in his Corvette.
2. I flipped pancakes to help support YMCA Camp Jorn at the annual pancake breakfast.
3. I'm lucky to get new science textbooks. They help us take a break from screens which is needed.
4. I finally took a trip to the dump, which meant there was one less pile of junk on our property. It was a long time coming.
5. I started my 26th year of teaching. We also revived an annual in-service tradition and went to eat at the Hong Kong Buffett.
6. We purchased a new hot tub/teacher therapy device.

September

1. I finished a 70-mile bike ride in Door County with friends. One of the highlights was a shrimp boiled. I’m blessed to have good friends.
2. Family visits with my dad and step-mom. It was great that they could watch my girls participate in their various sports.
3. Not everyone can say they went to Beef-A-Rama. I can. I enjoyed two different flavors of cheese curds with my fantastic wife. We were able to hike from our house there.
4. My oldest daughter takes a loss in power puff football. It was a very entertaining contest.

October

1. Another soccer season is in full swing, along with school dances.
2. I found I really like the Toluca bowl from Los Portales (my favorite Mexican restaurant.)
3. I finally saw the Northern Lights… beautiful.
4. I was able to present at Common Professional Development Day, focusing on my site Why Edify and STRONG Teacher Self-Care.
5. There was great joy when my 8th graders played with the parachute in Crew.
6. I became a Find the Good Ambassador.
7. We packaged food add the Food For Kidz event.

November

1. Had a great mountain bike with friends and a tasty beverage on a very warm November day.
2. I went to Oshkosh with my youngest to watch her swim. There was some father-daughter bonding on a shopping trip.
3. My oldest broke her hand. I am proud of her attitude while she navigates this challenge.

December

1. All of the family Christmas traditions were in full swing.
2. Christmas concerts for both girls were well done. It was jam-packed but worth it.
3. I played in my 26th staff versus 8th grade basketball game. I did not sustain any injuries and scored two points. We won.
4. I survived a crazy family Christmas card photo shoot.
5. I already checked off winter rucking and fat biking from my winter vacation to-do list.
6. My daughter is the proud owner of a new/used Subaru Outback.

Throughout the Year

• I’ve managed to send out 144 Friday Five newsletters in a row. The streak is alive. The archive is become quite a resource and time capsule. You can check it out here.
• One of my highlights from the past year was sharing others' “Earned Wisdom.“ These lessons are better than any PD you will likely find in your district. I look forward to sharing more articles like this in the coming year.
• My health is good overall. My goal is to keep moving and maintain strength.
• I've got great friends.
• Each and every month, my wife is amazing. I don’t know how I lucked out to this magnitude, but it should go down in history that I out-kicked my coverage.
• My kids are awesome. They are hard working and compassionate. I'm a proud papa.
• I'm thankful my kids get to see their Gramma every day.
• I’m alive. I’m grateful for this every day.

I wish you a tremendous New Year!

Jeremy