Parents and those who care about children have always wanted something better for them. That is in our DNA. Just because some of the big picture looks a bit dim, does not mean we can ever succumb to believing that all we can do is put one foot in front of the other. It is not in our feet. Our feet merely reflect where the brain/mind takes us, and they always depend on direction. In order to have direction, we must continue to dream the dream of: “but what if.”

Without the dream of “what if,” where are we? Without acting on what we dream is possible and what we know is real, where are we? Without the continued hope that the next generation should be taken care of, nurtured in the best way possible, prepared for the future they will inherit, where are we? We are stuck in the muck of allowing the current angst to dictate our direction. And the children deserve our goals to be set much higher …

Consider what Vincent Van Gogh had to say: “First I dream of painting, then I paint my dream.” As parents, educators, citizens of the world: “First I dream of ____________, then I paint my dream.” The blank is yours to fill in. May our dreams of “what if” materialize into new direction and goals in the year 2020.

- Karen Holt

The Share the Warmth tree has been placed in the MSA Administrative Building. It only has a ribbon on the top and lights. Our students, families, MSA classrooms, and clubs are asked to provide the decorations consisting of new mittens, gloves, socks, and scarves. Gently used jackets, coats, and shoes will also gladly be accepted. The tree will remain on campus until December 20 when the school closes for the Winter Holiday. The items will then be donated to Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM), a local charity organization. This allows our Montessori students and families to provide the basic need of warmth to those who may not have the ability to stay warm during the cold winter months.

I appreciate your help with this service project benefiting AIM.

Thank you,

Nurse Merriman

About me:

I was born in Greenville, SC, and I lived there until going to Clemson after graduating high school in 2004. Since then I’ve lived in Clemson, Central, Pendleton, and Anderson. I met my wife, Beth, at Clemson, and we got married in 2011. Our daughter, Avery, is in Primary Two this year and turned four this week, and our son, Eli, was born in November this year and should start at MSA after the break!

My education/experience:

• I graduated from Eastside High School in Greenville in 2004.
  
• I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Clemson in 2008 and a Master of Science in 2010.
• I worked on the systems staff maintaining the computers in the computer science building at Clemson from 2008-2018.
• My wife and I have had a small photography business for several years now.
• I have run summer technology camps in Greenville and Belton over the past ten years.
• I joined MSA in 2018, teaching technology and yearbook and doing I/T work around campus.

My favorite things:

• Book/Movie - Home Alone
• Color - Green
• Food/Snack - Spaghetti
• Sport/Team - Clemson Football, Baseball, and Softball (new this year!)
• Activity/Hobby - Ultimate Frisbee, photography
• Vacation spot - Hilton Head Island
• Your favorite thing about teaching at MSA - I love getting to know all the students, teachers, staff, and parents! I love sharing new and exciting technologies with our students.