Reflection

Hey Friends!Usually around this time of year I post my Crusade for Safety posts to remind us how important safe driving can be. This year, I want to share a different part of that story and how it relates to education. Safe driving is still a very important topic, and I encourage you to read my past posts on my Crusade for Safety campaign I do every August.

As we roll into the end of August, the pressure is on. The paperwork is starting. We are assessing our students, and noticing where we have a lot of work to do. How does this relate to the Crusade for Safety you might ask? Well, the Crusade for Safety is why I started teaching in the first place. You see, when I was in that horrible place in my life, several wonderful teachers went above and beyond to make sure I was successful in school. I was really struggling. My memory was shot, and I wasn't really learning anything. I begin to hate school and started to make excuses of why I couldn't go. Math wasn't my strong point and I had this sweet math teacher that essentially didn't give me the option for it NOT to be my strong point. This was a really crucial time in my life because I was in high school and making decisions about what I wanted to do. Through all of the car accident stuff, my father was also diagnosed with the nasty C word-Cancer. Without the support of the wonderful staff of Auburndale High School (GO BLOODHOUNDS), I'm not sure where I would have ended up. The kind of difference they made me in ME is one I wanted to make in others.

Reflection

The other day I was starting to feel overwhelmed and then I remembered the date. Dates are always big to me. I remember the dates of everything, the good, the bad and the sad. I knew the anniversary was coming up of our car accident. I didn't think it was a coincidence that I was feeling overwhelmed and realized the time of year at that very moment. I knew it was God. I knew it was God reminding me, Ashley, Why are you doing this? What are you trying to accomplish? What are your goals? Who do you want to help. How do you want to make a difference?

So this is a shorter post then others I've done, but I wanted to basically say, if you are feeling overwhelmed, my advice to you is this: stop and reflect. Why are you teaching? What are you trying to accomplish? You don't have to be religious, and we don't have to have the same beliefs to understand that reflection is a healthy life habit. Education is tough, but so are you. So as we roll into another year of this "Crusade for Safety", I want you to think about two things: Be safe while driving AND remember why you became a teacher.

Y'all, you can do it. We are in this together.

Crusade for Safety 2016

I can't believe only a few years ago, I shared one of the most personal and traumatic events to ever happen in my life with you. I woke up one day and heard God tell me "It's time, Ashley". He meant, it's time to do something you've always wanted to do. Use that horrific event to help someone else. I wish that this wasn't my story to tell. I wish that it never happened to me. But it did. Someone once told me that I shouldn't keep bringing this up. I find that kinda of comical, because other than on this specific type of post (Crusade for Safety), I typically do NOT bring it up. However, everytime I have a facial or switch hair dressers, I am asked "What happened to your face?". Most people tell me they have never noticed, and that might be true. I notice, every single day. I know the scars and the pain that is behind the story.

17 years ago today, my life changed. 

The purpose of my "Crusade for Safety", isn't for my therapy, it's for you. You see, I have a constant reminder about why safe driving is important. I don't want YOU to have that same reminder. Although I will probably NEVER remember the exact details, I remember enough. I know that a car full of teenagers  can not be a safe idea. I know that newly licensed drivers are 4 times more likely to be in a fatal car accident (U.S. DOT) 

If you have a moment, please take the time to talk to your kids about safe driving. A few guidelines/questions I always like to mention:

*What kind of car will your teen have? Sports car? Research the stats on teen BOYS with SPORTS CARS...the stats are not pretty. 

*How many kids will my driver have in the car?

*How far will my teenager be driving?

*Do they have a cell phone? Do they understand the importance of not texting and driving? 

*What should my teenager do if they are in an accident? 

*Does my teenager feel comfortable calling me in the case of a bad decision that leaves them impaired?

*Does my teen know what to do if a friend is impaired and tries to drive?

*Do we have a set curfew that our child cannot drive after?

*Does my teenager understand why it's important to wear a seat belt EVERY SINGLE TIME? My friend, Jimmy, insisted that we wear our seat belts. It saved our lives. Plain and simple. 

I love that you all let me share my heart and soul of my classroom with you. I also love that you allow me to share this with you and  you take the time to read and think about my story. I can't bring Jimmy back, it's not in the plan. I can, however, tell as many people as I can about him. 

All of these years later and I want his memory to live on. He saved my life. He changed who I am is a person. He believed in me. He would have wanted me to be "ME"....and sharing my heart is who I am. Just ask anyone who knows me IRL. I never stop talking and smiling. Even as I write this out, I'm smiling. Of course, I miss him. Of course, I wish that he didn't have to die. But he did. He did. 

Thank you friends. I love you for letting me share this part of my life with you! <3 nbsp="" p="">

Crusade for Safety

This little teaching blog has been such a blessing to me. A few years ago, I decided to share a piece of my heart with you. I wanted to bring awareness to topic that was very important to me. It's time for my fourth annual Crusade for Safety.

They say time heals all wounds. I wish that were true. 16 years ago, my life changed forever. Sometimes, a song on the radio can bring me back to that day. Or even the months and years that followed that we continue to struggle. All of the surgeries and other issues that arise for a traumatic event...I can be brought back to that in an instant. I think that the fact that I couldn't remember for so long, left a huge void in the healing process. It's like knowing something happened, but not being able to remember it was so difficult. Now, I remember most of that horrific time.  And I wish I never remembered any of it. Turns out, not knowing is better than knowing in this case.

 I lost a childhood friend that morning.  He was a good guy and always had something funny to say. The way that boy could make me laugh, I'll never forget it. The hardest part now, is being an adult who has experienced marriage, children, a career and life...realizing that he never got that chance. 

AAA  put out a great article earlier this year. I think the biggest thing I could stress, is that if you have newly licensed teens, think about how many people are in the car with them. Chances of a fatal crash go up significantly with each passenger that is in the car. Cell phones are a HUGE issue that we did not have in 1999. Now, parents have to add more to the list of things to discuss with teens and safe driving. PUT THE PHONE DOWN! Teens are on their phones all the time. Just remember "IT CAN WAIT"!!! I know some adults that could use that reminder (including myself). 

 I'm using our experience to help others. If sharing this story helps ONE family sit down and discuss how their teen is driving, who is in the car, where the cell phone is, etc...than I'm happy. I can't bring my friend back or change the past, but I can bring awareness to this issue. I firmly believe everyone has their day, and I firmly believe we also have experiences that can be avoided. Take the time to talk to your kids, at least they will be LESS likely to experience this type of tragedy first hand if they follow a few simple guidelines. 

For more stats and information on teenage driving, check out DoSomething.Org. 

Crusade For Safety 2014

I can't believe it's that time of the year again. This my third annual Crusade For Safety. Tomorrow is the 15 year anniversary since my life changed forever. I can't even believe it. 

Share this image and use the hashtag #crusadeforsafety

Driving safely is something so close to my heart and yet I've slipped up as a driver before. I've taken my eye off the road, looked at my phone, changed the radio, or talked to a passenger. I do this virtual "Crusade For Safety" to remind us ALL {even myself} to drive safely. I know better. I've lived it. I see it every day when I look in the mirror. My story is one that seems like it happened to someone else. For years, 14 in fact, I never remembered a single part of my accident. Only bits and pieces. It wasn't until last fall that I started to remember parts of it. I always *wanted* to remember, but now that I do, I wish I hadn't. Funny how life works that way. 

This is a very special time of the year for me, especially this year.   Two years ago I shared with you all a piece of my heart. A story that is so close to me that it's pretty much the reason I am the way I am today.

I became a teacher because of a few teachers who went above and beyond after my wreck. I became a saved christian because one in particular brought a bible to my hospital bedside. She told me that the scars that I was so upset over, didn't matter. That Jesus loved me unconditionally and would always be there for me. These wonderful people helped shape and mold me into the person I am today. During such a difficult time, these teachers helped me out when they didn't have to. I was out of school so much, they could have easily turned the other cheek. 

I wanted to share a few stats with you to encourage you to analyze how distracted you are when driving. If you have teenage drivers, please read my story. I encourage you to think about the ground rules for your teenagers. Consider having a rule about limiting so many passengers in the car. 

{Image Credit: distractu}

Please, friends, remember.....

Jimmy, I miss you every single day. It saddens me that you missed the opportunity to grow old, get married and have children. I know if you were here today, you would be one amazing man!Rest easy my sweet friend, I will share this message until the day I die <3 p="">

Crusade for Safety 2013

Hey friends! It's that time of year again! My annual "Crusade For Safety"!! You might wonder, what is that? 

It's just a specific time of year that I like to remind everyone (even myself) about the dangers of distracted driving.  As adults, we get in a hurry, we rush around and sometimes we just don't pay attention. We allllll do it! No matter our backgrounds, it always happens at some point. Now, imagine our *teenagers* doing this. Inexperience is such a dangerous idea when a teen is behind the wheel of the car. 

The US Government has a great web page with all kinds of information and stats on the subject Distracted Driving! I love this resource!!! 

Fox News just put out this article on the 6 causes of distracted driving! I encourage you to read it and see if you are guilty. This is a great article and you might surprise yourself. A lot of us already do these things.

If you are a parent of a teenager, please read all of these links with your children and lay down some ground rules for the car. I'm sure you've already done this, but I encourage you do to this AGAIN. 

Did you know that teens between 16-19 are THREE times more likely to have an accident than those above 20? 

Look at this from the CDC-

"Among teen drivers, those at especially high risk for motor vehicle crashes are:

• Males: In 2010, the motor vehicle death rate for male drivers and passengers ages 16 to 19 was almost two times that of their female counterparts.1
• Teens driving with teen passengers: The presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers. This risk increases with the number of teen passengers.4
• Newly licensed teens: Crash risk is particularly high during the first months of licensure.5,6" SOURCE

My reasons for doing this are very personal.  Tomorrow, marks the anniversary that I experienced this first hand.  I was in a head on collision. My accident has all three of the risk factors mentioned above. 

 You can read more about that right HERE!

 I lost a great friend, and have an everyday reminder of this. My face was badly damaged, but I am alive and singing the song of Jesus! I know God spared us that day..I will never understand why he took Jimmy from us, but I know that Jimmy saved me that day. He wouldn't leave until we were all "buckled in", which saved our lives.  This accident wasn't a car full of drunk kids, or anything like that. It was just a result of of distracted driving. We were just a bunch of kids (4 of us) driving to school for our annual "Blue and Gold Day". I make it my mission, to tell people about my story.  To tell parents, that teens need passenger limit rules, TEXTING rules, and radio rules. We all need the reminder, even myself. 

In Loving Memory of Jimmy<3 br="" nbsp="">

Isaiah 41:10

'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Crusade For Safety

I know this blog is about teaching :) So I know I am taking a leap of faith here by sharing something with you.

Today is the 13th anniversary of a day that my world changed forever. I was involved a fatal car accident as a teenager. My childhood "sweetheart" ,Jimmy, passed away in this accident. The top of the car caved in on me severely damaging my face. In our car (shown below), there were four passengers. The driver (Jimmy) died instantly. My brother walked away with a few cuts and bruises, but memories that would last a lifetime. Our other friend, was more severely injured. He broke his legs and his arm. It was a very difficult time for all of us. God sure put is through it,though, to help others.

As I've grown older, I often think about the experiences I have been blessed to experience, and it saddens me that my friend, Jimmy, was unable to  experience the same things. His life ended way too soon. He was a great person who would have went very far in his life. He dreamed of attending Florida State University and was a die hard 'Noles Fan!

After this accident, I was involved in several cosmetic facial surgeries to repair the damage. It often bothered me. Now, it's just  apart of who I am.  And I am okay with that. Our accident, was just a result of inexperience, no texting, alcohol or anything like that. 

I found out afterwards, years actually, that my grandfather had a campaign called "Crusade for Safety". He worked with the local police department to reward drivers who were caught driving carefully. Local companies donated products or services to people who were caught driving carefully. My grandfather passed away when I was just a small child, so for me, this was huge. I felt so close to someone that I have no memories of.

So I wanted to take all of these things, and create a virtual "Crusade For Safety". By that I just mean, when you get into your car, think about the choices you make. If you are a driver who texts and drive, I encourage you to read about Alex Brown. Any distraction is a danger to not only yourself, but to other drivers on the road. Wearing a seat belt SAVED my life.  Remember these things, life is too short and "death doesn't play favorites". Turn the radio down, stop answering the phone, and just drive. If you have teenagers, I encourage you to talk to them, even if you already have, AGAIN. Make a passenger limit rule, a cell phone rule, a TEXTING rule....anything you think that can keep your child SAFE. Young drivers are so inexperienced, combined with these other things, it's a dangerous situation. Be sure you drive with them often, even after they receive their full license. Jimmy had just turned 16, three weeks prior. 

If you teach high school, please share this message with your students!!! 

Take this image, place it on your blog, profile,FB page, twitter, pinterest board, whatever, as a reminder that you are going to make an effort to be a better driver and talk to your kids about the same thing. Make this week your "Crusade For Safety". Print this image,display it on your wall, especially if you teach high school!!!!

 I am so fortunate that god spared me that day, he knew I had work to do, he knew I would share HIS message.  God is the reason that I am the person I am today, I am forever grateful for his love. 

Happy Teaching :)