September 11

I attended Spirit of America at the Verizon Center with several other Einstein Fellows.  I thought it was going to be a musical tribute to September 11, 2001, but it was an elaborate theatrical tribute to soldiers in out country from the Revolutionary War to now.

I love my new camera.  It is a Canon PowerShot SX130 with a 12X optical zoom.  I was able to take these pictures in a dark event center, sitting in at top row.  The zoom lets me get good shots even when I am a long distance away.

Covered Bridges

Sunday Terrie and I went for a drive in the country to find some of the more than 100 year old covered bridges in Maryland.  It was lovely weather and the countryside was so green and beautiful.  When you look at the pictures, notice how different the inside construction is for each bridge.

Bridge #1. Utica Bridge

Bridge #2. Loy's Station Bridge

Bridge #3.  Roddy Road Bridge

A New Start

I am back in Washington, DC.  This week starts my second year as an Einstein Fellow.   This year there are 30 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers from schools across the United States coming to the DC area to begin their fellowships in different government agencies (Dept of Energy, National Science Foundation, NASA, legislative offices, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).  Nine of us are returning for a second year.

I am at the National Science Foundation again in the Directorate of Computer Science Information and Engineering (CISE). Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were filled with orientation activities.

This year there are two fellows from Idaho.  DaNel teaches physics in Kuna and I teach mathematics in Boise.

Family Part 2

A few more pictures of my visit in Boise.  My brother Jerry and wife Bernita visited for a few days.

Baby Madilyn sitting up all by herself!!

My mom is always feeding me very good food whenever I come to visit.

This one is a climber.

It was so nice to be home in Idaho for August.  I tried to soak up as much family and friends as I could before I return to Washington DC for another year of my fellowship.

August with family and home

The Einstein Fellowship is only 11 months, so I went home for all of the month of August.  Here are some of the highlights of my time home.

Hiking in the Flat Irons with Rich, Bryana, and Eliana in Colorado.

A day at the Denver Zoo.

My 40th high school class reunion.

Rock climbing with Anna and Mike's family at the Black Cliffs.

A great summer time dinner at Jon and Charlotte's.

Riding the gondola at Sun Valley to the top of the mountain.

NCTM Mathematics Institute of Reasoning and Understanding

The last official activity for the 2010/2011 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship was a trip to Orlando Florida.  The keynote speaker was Dan Meyers.

First I spent 4 days in Orlando at NCTM Institute for Mathematics Reasoning and Understanding.

Not all work and no play.  The pool and sun were calling me.

4th of July

I have been anxiously awaiting the 4th of July in Washington DC.  I packed a water bottle, a couple of peanut butter sandwiches, my camera, and a book and headed down Independence Avenue toward the Capitol building about 9 am this morning.  First I stumbled upon a parade in my neighborhood.

Then I continued walking to the "real" parade on Independence Avenue.  Here are some highlights.

I stayed on the National Mall all day so that I could hear the National Symphony and watch the fireworks.  About 6 pm I found a place on the Capitol steps and ate my peanut butter sandwich and read my book while I waited for the evening performance.  There were a lot of people there and I could not get very close and the granite steps got very hard, but I am glad I waited.  It was lots of fun to see, hear, smell, and feel the people, food, music, and fireworks!