Compassion Through Passion
Compassion Through Passion - Originally Posted April 1, 2016
The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts. ~ C. S. Lewis
Iam SO excited to have completed my second picture book ~ Test Day, Team Player ! This project has been my passion for the last 6 years, not always my focus, but always waiting there in the wings, as I was plotting how to get it in the hands of teachers and students. Six years is a good bit of time! I wrote this story back when I was still teaching Third grade, and its based on my experience as a Fourth grade and Third grade teacher and the solution I used to relieve test anxiety in my own classroom.
I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. ~ Lily Tomlin
I love teaching, I love the connection you develop with students, I love watching the light go on in their mind as they become inspired or solve a previous unknown. One of the hardest times for me was our annual End-of-Grade testing. There is so much emphasis on the results of a few days in a row of drone like fill in the bubble testing. The anxiety many students feel in that situation is very real and often affects their score negatively. In our state this type of testing begins at grade 3. Have you ever been in a classroom of Third graders? They are still really little kids. Somebody’s pride and joy; full of spunk, enthusiasm, and wonder….until testing rolls around. They complain of tummy aches and trouble sleeping. Often I found the most prepared students experienced the highest level of anxiety. As a teacher I care about every aspect of students well beyond just their learning. Its hard to watch them suffer. I’m so happy to finally have this story available for classrooms all across the country!
Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. ~ Harriet Tubman
The writing of this book was the easiest part. Getting it illustrated, ready to publish, published; and now marketing it to reach the target audience is the hard part. I can’t say I did it alone, but its still a lot of work. If I didn’t have a passion to make a difference for students, the difference I had seen in my own students at testing time, I might not have stayed the course. This is my second self published book, and I continue to learn new things each time. A task that would take an experienced publisher minutes can take me hours as I watch video instructions and bumble my way through. But, if you have a story you ‘need’ to get out there, that can make a positive difference in the lives of others, let nothing stand in your way!
Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams. ~ Donovan Bailey
My last book, Halloween Night, I was author and illustrator. For this project, Test Day, Team Player, I wanted an illustrator who enjoyed the type of illustrations this book would take – that was not me. Illustrations were the first hurdle – I was lucky to have my husband, Nick, and his crazy idea (well, at the time I thought it might just be crazy enough to work!) to ask one of his Math students, Danielle, who was a talented artist. I was so fortunate to connect with this young woman, she was up for the task and enthusiastic after reading the manuscript! Her illustrations are wonderful and seeing my story through her pictures for the first time brought tears to my eyes. I also enlisted the help of my friend Beth and her father ‘The Colonel’ for editing. He is a real expert and really polished up my manuscript. I wanted to format my book myself this time around…thank goodness for my friend April! She is a very experienced and top notch book designer by trade and spent a whole Saturday working with me, teaching me, and showing me possibilities. This book is beautiful thanks to her! The wonderful people at Create Space (my printer) are so patient and always willing to take my call and answer what I’m sure sounds like a silly question to them – and make me feel its not silly at all. The learning curve is huge, but with persistence and the help of some amazing friends and family I was able to get this important story out where it can help students. I hope to makes a difference in their lives come testing time, that is my goal!
You can do anything as long as you have the passion, the drive, the focus, and the support. ~ Sabrina Bryan
Light, Love, and Laughter,
Shannon
There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. ~ Nelson Mandela
You can purchase Test Day, Team Player directly from me by emailing boldmovesstudio@gmail.com
Here are two links to other places to purchase:
Amazon:
Create Space (my printer):
https:www.createspace.com/6101617
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. ~ Maya Angelou
