And here is the actual, famous June’s Apple Pie recipe! (Yield: two pies)
Ingredients:
For the crust
3 c. flour
½ heaping tsp. baking powder
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 c. Crisco shortening
1 c. water
For the filling
5 lbs. Granny Smith apples
2 c. sugar
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
12 thin pats of butter
Flour
Method:
Combine flour, baking powder and salt, and set aside.
Heat water until boiling.
While water is boiling, heat Crisco on high in microwave for 20 seconds.
When water boils, take off heat and add in Crisco.
While Crisco/water mixture cools, pare and slice the apples.
Mix Crisco/water mixture with dry ingredients and divide into 4 balls.
Roll out two of the balls and place at the bottom of two pie dishes.
Divide apple slices between 2 pie dishes.
Put 1 cup sugar in each pie dish.
Sprinkle apples with 8 shakes of nutmeg and enough cinnamon to cover the slices.
Dot each pie with 6 pads butter.
Sprinkle each pie very lightly with four.
Roll out pie crust tops.
Fold each top in half, cut three slices in the middle, and place on top of each pie.
Pinch edges together to seal.
Bake at 400℉ for 45 minutes, and enjoy!
June was my mother, and not only did she teach me to bake, she taught me so much about education. She was never a formal teacher herself, but she was extremely wise in the areas of learning, human development, and positive relationships. She was the first person to not only teach me about the concept of unconditional positive regard, but she demonstrated it every day of her life. Her recipe for how to be with people was a good one indeed, and I am forever grateful to have been her “baking apprentice.”
And this is what the pies look like when they are done. They may not look like much, but many people have told me it is the best apple pie they have ever had. (And isn’t that just what we want our students to say about our Teaching Pie?)
As an educator, I encourage students to take risks, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions. This song’s message of speaking up and embracing challenges mirrors the safe, supportive environment you create for learning—especially when guiding students through complex mathematical concepts.
2. “Hall of Fame” – The Script ft. will.i.am
My dedication to student success and innovation is about empowering learners to achieve greatness. Whether it’s through new teaching strategies, oral exams, or student-centered learning, I help students realize they can push beyond their limits and reach new heights.
3. “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
This song embodies the idea of perseverance and the belief that success is possible, no matter the challenges. Whether mentoring future teachers or supporting STEM students, I instill in them the confidence to keep striving, even when math feels overwhelming.
4. “Rise Up” – Andra Day
Teaching is not just about instruction; it’s about resilience—both for educators and students. I cheerlead and guide students to rise above obstacles and take charge of their own learning.
5. “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor
Mathematics can be intimidating, but my role involves helping students build grit and persistence. This song reflects the determination and focus needed to tackle difficult coursework and develop a strong foundation for future success.
6. “Lean on Me” – Bill Withers
As an educator, mentor, and faculty leader, I am a support system for both students and colleagues. Whether through faculty development, assessment coordination, or innovative teaching strategies, I provide guidance that helps others learn, grow, and thrive.
7. “Unwritten” – Natasha Bedingfield
Learning is a lifelong journey, and every student’s story is still unfolding. This song reflects my role in shaping students’ futures, encouraging them to embrace new knowledge, take ownership of their learning, and create their own success.
Like most of us on campus, I play the part of several different people on any given day.
I start my day tending to kids and pets, kissing my spouse on his way out the door, ticking off items on a mental checklist of what the kids and I will need throughout the day before beginning a convoluted morning commute. I arrive on campus feeling energized (or stir-crazy after a long drive). I sit at my desk and fine-tune my lessons before heading to LA 105 for a long day teaching composition to often reluctant writers. On shorter teaching days, I either spend my time in the writing center in HT2 125, or I carve out some mental space to work on creative ventures for my CTLE role. I run out of HT2 in the afternoon, always late, always over-encumbered, and I begin my afternoon driving shift. I usually kick this road trip off with a beat-up peanut butter sandwich. When I finally make it home at the end of the day, I once again focus on the care and feeding of kids and pets. I cook a meal with my husband as we listen to records, and I enjoy conversation with my family around the dinner table. I find some time to grade student work before I collapse into sleep, drooling on my pillow while the TV flashes blue and green across my bedroom ceiling.
I’ve created this playlist to capture my workday during this trying yet magical season of my life:
"Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens: This song represents the peaceful moments when it’s just me and my coffee.
Tied for first: "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire.
“Gotta Get Up” by Harry Nilsson: “Oh crap, put on your shoes we need to GO.”
“Everybody Wants to Rule The World”: My morning commute.
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves: This song captures the first few minutes of class where I bring more happy energy than my bleary-eyed students are prepared for.
"Learn to Fly" by Foo Fighters: This song represents the inspirational side of teaching.
“Frankly Mr. Shankly” by The Smiths: This song represents the “Really? REALLY?” side of teaching.
"School's Out" by Alice Cooper: This song captures the feeling of fleeing campus as I transition from professor to mom again
"Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman: So much driving!
"Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: This is how I feel when the warm evening light slants through the window while I cook dinner and listen to records.
Golden Years–David Bowie: This is a hard season of life, but these are truly golden years.
"Creature Comfort" by Arcade Fire: This song captures dinner table conversations about life and the world.
“Save it For Later” by the English Beat: This represents those times when, late at night, I try to offer feedback on student work (then fail to conjure the brain cells to do so).
"Motion Sickness" by Phoebe Bridgers: Ah, the physical and mental exhaustion I feel as I finally collapse into bed, ready for rest!
“Daylight” by Matt and Kim–Too soon, I do it all over again!
Article By: Jeff Weigant, STEM Connect Student Specialist Sr.
The student union is a central hub for campus life, providing students with a space to connect and collaborate. However, many students may not use this space fully or view it primarily as a dining or lounging area rather than a center for engagement and support. A revitalized student union could foster a greater sense of belonging by incorporating more interactive and inclusive elements that match students needs. I envision a more vibrant and multifunctional environment that blends academic, social and wellness resources in a seamless way. This could include expanded study areas with a variety of seating options as well as soundproof collaboration rooms for group projects. Additionally, I would want to see designated areas for cultural representation and student clubs/groups. These spaces could include cultural organization, leadership development and various student clubs. Modernizing the student union to fit the changing needs of students is a must. Possible ideas to generate more interest: wellness pop-ups, interactive career panels and networking nights. All of these upgrades to the student union could change the student mindset from a dining and lounging experience to a modern center for engagement and support.
You know how some people take the scenic route through college? Well, I took the cross-country road trip version. As a first-generation college student, I ended up on the nine-year plan to earn my bachelors degree. I went full-time, dropped out, came back part-time, and eventually turbo-charged my way to the finish line with 12 credit hours in one summer because nothing says “I love suffering” like cramming an entire semester’s worth of work into two months. To fund this grand academic adventure, I typically worked two or three jobs at once and picked up some side-hustle (babysitting, bartending at weddings, etc.) when available. Despite the chaos, I made it! So to all students, the ones who struggle especially, my song is “Don’t Stop Beliving” by Journey.
The Playlist of the Rest of My Day
After surviving the slow-burn sitcom that was my college experience, I now have a real grown-up job. But let’s be honest, work comes with its own theme songs.
🎵 “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen Coming back from vacation is never relaxing because the minute I open my inbox, I see a mountain of emails. That first day back? It’s me and the systematic destruction of unread messages. As each email gets answered, I hum this song like a victorious warrior in battle.
🎵 “Misbehavin’” – The Righteous Gemstones When I need a good laugh, this ridiculous song from The Righteous Gemstones is my go-to. It’s weird, it’s catchy, and it makes me giggle like an unsupervised child. A+ entertainment.
🎵 “Under Pressure” – Queen & David Bowie Some days, the to-do list is longer than a Costco receipt, and deadlines are coming at me like an over-caffeinated freight train. That’s when this song kicks in, and I dramatically stare at my workload like I’m in a high-stakes poker game that I am determined to win!
🎵 “Game of Thrones Theme” – Fender Custom Shop Edition Academia is basically Westeros, but with fewer dragons and luckily no whitewalkers. Like the nine great houses of Westeros, each Maricopa school has its own agenda, every department has its own demands, and navigating it all feels like spending a week in Kings Landing where no one feels truly safe. To keep my balance, my background music is the Game of Thrones theme, where in the end, good triumphed and evil failed. I am especially fond of the version with Brad Paisley because he is hot, and Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Scott Ian (Anthrax), and Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) because they are all bad ass!
🎵 “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper My favorite part of my job? Event planning. Every semester, the CTLE hosts a conference, and my main goal is to make sure everyone has a blast. So naturally, my theme song for these events is Cyndi Lauper’s iconic jam because if learning isn’t at least a little fun, what’s the point?
And there you have it friends, my work life in music. Whether it’s battling inboxes, dodging deadlines, or throwing an academic party, there’s a song for every situation.
Every spring, the Write 6x6 challenge affords me the chance to explore our beautiful campus as I deliver treats to the doors and cubbies of our courageous bloggers.
In 2022, when I begged to take over Write 6x6 after a year of dormancy, I didn't know my way around campus. I ventured out with my basket of treats, nervously checking a paper map and forgetting which direction was north. Today, however, I treasure the campus footpaths and office doors that I know by heart. I love the stroll that takes me to what feels like the farthest reaches of campus when I visit the Fitness and Wellness building to drop by Louise's door. I love chatting with the student workers in the admin building when I visit Lore and Tiffany. This year, I got to explore the Physical Sciences building for the first time when I brought George a treat! (Welcome to the team, George Gregg!) My last stop of the day, without fail, is always to pop by Mary Anne's office in Life Sciences. These little adventures are always a highlight of my spring semester.
Today, however, instead of writing about the familiar doors that greet me as I deliver snacks, I'd like to talk about the unique, magical, and just plain useful corners of our campus I have discovered by stepping outside my office door and onto our beautiful campus grounds.
Here is a list of ten of my favorite campus features in no particular order:
1. A cat lives outside the O5 office building. I (secretly) named him Benny in 2020. He's still hanging around, but like any cat worth his salt, he probably has at least 13 names. (If you see him, tell him I say pspspsps.)
2. There's a tiny troll hiding in the bushes by the Center for Learning.
3. There's a brick oven and grill near the Student Union. Y'all, why are we not making use of this? I suspect this fixture has seen many a happy Gaucho get-together.
4. There are happy little painted rocks hidden throughout the campus that never fail to make me smile.
5. There's a free little library near the Faculty O7 building.
6. There's a gender-inclusive restroom in the Life Science building (and 17 more spread throughout campus).
7. The Library and LS building are Safe Places on our campus. A "Safe Place" is "a designated area where students, faculty, or staff can go if they feel threatened, unsafe, or in need of immediate help. These zones are marked with clear signage and provide a secure environment for individuals facing any form of distress." I will be adding this information to my course orientation in the fall.
8. The Geology department has created a beautiful display of minerals and rocks near a pathway between the Physical Sciences and Life Sciences buildings. I walk by this lovely collection so frequently that I have claimed a personal favorite: chert. I'd like to petition for the word "chert" to be the next witty and biting insult.
9. Roses, roses, roses! We are also a bee campus! I love to stroll the pollinator pathway and think about the good that our campus is doing for the bee community.
10. Outside the Life Sciences building is a lovely turquoise bell that rings gently when the wind blows.
Bonus: Although Saguaro Ranch Park isn't part of our campus, I love that it is close enough that I can wander over there to take in a little beauty. I also love that, from time to time, the peacocks and peahens wander over here to bring a little absurdity to an otherwise routine day.
As a Covid-hire, it took me a while to get to know our physical campus grounds, but five years later, GCC feels like home. Thank you for the adventures, fellow Gauchos!
I like listening to music when I work. I have music that plays in the background while I am writing, while I am grading, while I am developing lessons, and when I am working on outside projects. Recently, I found an author who regularly posts her playlist for the songs she played while writing her novels. She isn’t the first author I have found who does this, but her curated playlists are more comprehensive than previous authors I have encountered. It reminds me of the quotes I used to see at the front of chapters in the horror novels Stephen King wrote. So, I thought this would be an appropriate topic for this week. Considering my work and the many roles I play at GCC, it is challenging to curate an appropriate soundtrack.
One of the roles that I play is that of a mentor to several students. Very often, these are students who have come to me at a low point in their student experience and I have played cheerleader and motivational speaker, encouraging them to continue on and seek opportunities to advance. So, the first song on my playlist must be Never Give Up by Sia.
Another role that I have is of a student. Because I am taking classes and writing a dissertation while balancing the other expectations of my time, I know the challenges many of my students go through. Like them, I have a set of goals I am working toward, and I am working toward overcoming the setbacks as they occur. Therefore, the second song on my playlist must be High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco.
Another role that I have at GCC is that of a colleague. I spend time on teams and sharing ideas with others to improve the things that I can. This includes participating in grant projects and being a faculty senator. I work at being helpful, supportive, and kind in my interactions. So, the third song on my playlist must be Pink’s Just Like Fire.
As a teacher, I am doing my best to promote connection and communication in my classes. I invite the students to spend time talking with each other, sharing insight, sharing ideas, encouraging each other, and building understanding with one another. Along these lines, my fourth song must be Talk by Coldplay.
Being a part of the community, I have made friends at GCC. Some are still a part of the community, others have moved into new chapters of their lives. Being a friend means being supportive, caring, and staying connected. I want to be a comforting presence, however small. So, the fifth song on my playlist must be Birdhouse in Your Soul by They Might Be Giants.
There are several small roles that I have chosen to take on. Among these small roles is that of being an advisor for a club that meets on Friday afternoons. I look forward to advising the club and enjoy being a part of the experience. So, the sixth song for my GCC role playlist must be Stromae’s Santé.
Finally, I am a unique individual with my own motivations and my own path. Sometimes, it is important to remember that I need to embrace my own individuality. I don’t often promote my own unique self, but it is a goal I am working towards this year. In this role, I am working on embracing new experiences, trying new things, and exploring new opportunities. In moving forward, there are always things that you will leave behind. In my case, I am cleaning up the house (read as emptying the storage of unnecessary items). So the last song on my playlist is Un-apex by TK from 凛として時雨.
You’ve probably seen those pictures…Break Glass in Case of Emergency, and the item behind the glass is something hilarious like a candy bar. Truly life-saving, even if you now have to sweep up the broken shards.
I don’t have one of these glass cases in my work area, but in situations where it feels like everything is falling apart, we often just wish we could find something that will make everything right again.
Something, or someone? When failure feels imminent, the best thing I’ve found is to seek the support of someone who can help.
It seems obvious, but how often do we try to do everything ourselves? How often do we keep fears inside, shouldering all of the burdens, when there is someone close by ready to step in to assist?
You may be in a situation where it seems like you can fix everything yourself, but then it turns out you’ve created a domino effect of consequences that you now have to take care of. Before this happens, think about the people in your life who are there to support you, a supervisor, a peer, or someone who isn’t even in your department. Others bring so many unique experiences and perspectives, it is likely they will know how to guide you in turning a tough situation into a moment of victory. Sometimes it just takes a listening ear or an encouraging word to let you know that all is not lost. Whether in the classroom or in your office, when it seems like things are going wrong, just remember that you are not alone in your journey. There is someone looking out for you, someone who can save the day.
Instead of breaking the glass case, turn to others for guidance. There will be less of a mess to clean up.
This week’s prompt asks us to reflect on pandemic-era changes in teaching practices and how we have been personally changed during this most “interesting” of times. I’m having trouble. After all, when Covid-19 references come up in books or movies, I find myself instinctively turning away. Recently, I forced myself to finish reading Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake set in the pandemic, because, well . . . Ann Patchett. But most discussions about the pandemic have me scrambling for a safe and comfortable 6-foot distance from the speaker.
So I will start with a pandemic love story of sorts, which I swear will circle back to teaching. In March of 2020, my husband and I celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary. We likely marked the occasion how we spent most weekends during that season – ordering takeout and finding some deserted outdoor space in the downtown Chandler area to dine.
Never could you linger in the middle of the street on a Saturday night in downtown Chandler
Such spaces were not hard to find, and it was a special time for us. My husband was the police chief in Chandler when the pandemic hit, and for the first time in our lives his weekends were not consumed with public meetings, ribbon-cutting, you know – the shaking hands and kissing babies that is part of life as a public figure. Instead, we had hours of quiet time to reconnect and reconsider all that is really important in life.
One night during that time, we brought our takeout to the top of the parking garage that overlooks the downtown square. This garage that usually has no parking spaces to spare was completely empty that night, and we placed our food on the ledge as we surveyed the quiet city. It was romantic, but this is not the pandemic love story I want to share.
Our parking garage date night
After a few bites, we spotted a police car coming into the garage and winding its way up the levels toward us. However, the car stopped on the floor below. The police officer got out of his car and rested against the back bumper. Figuring he was taking a break, we joked about getting caught and went on with our eating. A few minutes later, another car pulled up, and this time my husband recognized one of his civilian employees emerging from the car.
“Oh no!” my husband muttered. It became clear to both of us that we were observing a tryst-in-progress.
“But look, they’re standing completely apart,” I noted as my husband mentally processed how to deal with this possible HR issue. But if this was a heated encounter, the burner definitely appeared to be on low. Soon after, a procession of police cars proceeded to wind their way toward the couple – about seven cars in all. Busted!
“Ohhhhh!” my husband said, this time with a look of recognition on his face. The civilian proceeded to take food out of her trunk, and the officers began their shift briefing, which just happened to be mandated (by the man next to me) to be held in an outdoor location for safety. My husband popped in on the briefing, and all had a good laugh.
A police briefing, pandemic-style
Really, there is a teaching connection!
This experience reminds me that things are not always as they seem with our students as well. We may not know the context behind a situation a student presents. What we perceive as motivation for a student’s behavior may not be accurate. And I think the pandemic reinforced the idea that it is best to withhold judgement. We never really know what is going on in the life of another based on what we observe from the outside.
Our brains are pattern-seeking devices that use a whole host of shortcuts to reduce expenditure of cognitive energy. (For a better description than I can offer, check out Dr. Rick Hansen’s See Beings, Not Bodies.) To combat this tendency, one of my mentors from the Scottsdale School District encouraged her team to always have a positive presupposition when working with both children and adult learners. In other words, we don’t automatically attribute a missed assignment to late-night gaming or take a class absence as a sign the student doesn’t care. It’s a loving approach to humanity – to provide room for alternate explanations for our immediate perceptions.
The third part of my AI Net(work) is the team here at the CTLE. I’ve been able to feel more confident about exploring AI because of several resources.
The Artificial Intelligence and Spreading Misinformation Canvas course was really helpful. So was the Artificial Intelligence and Bias course. Both allowed me to explore, read, and reflect in a supportive environment. Keep your eyes open for future opportunities!
Beth Eyres is one of the best brainstorming buddies there is. She dropped in one day as my students were working on their ChatGPT prompts. Next thing I know she’s urging me to look at Perplexity AI. It’s a real-time fact-checked search engine with citations, perfect for ENG102.
Great. Now I have one more thing to learn to keep ahead of the curve! (slight sarcasm implied . . . I can do this!)
As eCourses Faculty Lead, Alisa Cooper keeps reminding me about using Packback and Grammarly to support my students. Each resource is free and supported with training. For example, Packback had a session yesterday focused on academic honesty in the world of AI.
There is no shortage of support as I work to help my students explore the different tools in the world of AI.
Our ENG102 motto is “good thinking starts with good questions”, and I hope you’ve seen that my team of Michelle Petry, Christine Jones, Beth Eyres, Alisa Cooper, and the entire CTLE support structure help me find answers to those questions.
It doesn’t feel quite so scary up here on the AI tightrope. Join us!
