In the spring of this year I completed the NCFDD Dissertation Success 12-week program and gained perspection on my dissertation journey. Perspection is thinking about the future, getting clarity on what you want and how to get there, and working backwards into the present. I’ve held grief, and I’ve done some brave things. I’m leaning into what I love, and I will forever be doing something that allows for balance and giving back to my community.
I continued supporting the development of online courses for W&M’s Reading Literacy Certificate, and I worked for Prince George’s County and District of Columbia Public Schools.
I’m cultivating my network of mentors, and I had an opportunity to meet via Zoom with Dr. Carlotta Berry, founder of Black in Robotics. I supported her research by assembling, programming and evaluating a Lily~Bot. I participated in BiR Workshops: Robot Arm (6/18), Arduino (7/16), Introduction to Drones (9/17) and Plant -Watering (10/1). I visited the Naval Academy to participate in a STEM Workshop (AJ was home on leave and he tagged along)!
With the end of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration, I directed the first face-to-face camps for M-NCPPC since COVID. My entire July was consumed by 4 weeks of fun with STEAM Enrichment, Roblox and Teen Coding camps at Harmony Hall Regional Center.
I support The Arc of Greater Williamsburg as a Volunteer Pen Pal. I served as an eCybermission Army Educational Outreach Program Virtual Judge, and helped welcome the return of Maryland FIRST LEGO League’s Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex Qualifier as a Lead Judge. I also mentor McKinley Technology High School’s Firebird Robotics Team. We celebrated our team’s first place win at the FIRST Chesapeake regional robotics competition in Blacksburg, VA and recognition by the Council of the District of Columbia.
I’m six years STRONG instructing boot camp at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and STRONG Nation and MOVE at Onelife Fitness – Clinton. I’m certified in CIRCL Mobility. I’m still walking solo or with my GirlTREK Crew – the Fort Washington Trekker’s!
I got a new ride in April and not by choice. Unfortunately, my Mazda CX-5 was declared a total loss in March when another driver ran a red light. No one was seriously hurt thank goodness. No photo needed because I replaced it with the same make and model.
My garden expanded a little … well, a lot! And I made time for some fun and travel along the way. My 40th high school reunion was a blast! Here’s a photo from my high school prom, and another of me and my French teacher from high school during the reunion.
