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I received a B.S. from FIU where I studied Hospitality Management, but my best memories of the '70's are from when I attended the University of Miami! I majored in Theater Arts and studied drama and took acting and dance classes with stars like Ray Liotta and Steven Bauer (they made it, I didn't! LOL) When I wasn't hanging out with the thespians, I spent my time at the pool or the beach, hanging out in Ft. Lauderdale on the weekends, dancing in the incredible discos of that era, and hanging around my favorite fraternity, Sigma Chi. I just loved those frat parties when I wasn't rehearsing or in class. I was a Sigma Chi Little Sister for 4 years... and there I met my first husband, (the father of my two wonderful children, Katie and Chris). We married right after college when I was working for the Hafey Family at Jaycox Restaurant in the 'X' in Springfield (great memories there, Trish!). We moved to New Hartford, Ct. where I worked for the 'Golf Club of Avon', then I opened a nail salon called "Gimme a Break, Nails by Cheri" (back in the infancy of the nail business.) The business was good to me in the early '80's. We moved to Avon, Ct., convenient to my salon and to Farmington where my husband worked for Heublein. I crossed paths with Betsey Keeley who also lived in Avon. My daughter Katie was born in June of 1984... she was absolutely adored and spoiled rotten by the clients in my salon. When I was expecting my son Christopher in 1985, I decided to become a stay at home Mom (the toughest job I ever loved). We moved a couple of times as my husband and I played the 'yuppy game' of the '80's and early '90's... first to Boston. We LOVED life in and around Boston. We bought a home in North Andover (when Katie started school). We spent a great deal of summertime with family up at Highland Croft, the Lodge in New Hampshire, which was a quick trip straight up Rt. 93. Our next move was back to South Florida just a week before Hurricane Andrew, a catastrophic category 5 storm that hit in 1992. I must admit, that was an experience I'll never forget, however, we stayed in Florida and settled our family in the City of Coral Springs in a house that backed up to the 9th green of the Country Club. I didn't learn to golf, but my kids did! During the years in North Andover and Coral Springs, I was what I refer to as a "career volunteer" at my children's schools, at church, and at events around town. I crossed paths with another classmate there, Keith Stewart, who'd also moved down there. During this time of my life, I learned a great deal from some wonderful mentors, friends, teachers, and administrators. My love for teaching grew through these years, and currently I'm a fourth generation teacher. My daughter received her masters from FSU in the area of early childhood education. She is currently teaching kindergarten in Mount Dors, FL. I can't imagine how I ever thought I'd be happy doing anything else... teaching's in the blood! Following my divorce, I moved to Central Florida where my parents retired. I've loved every minute of teaching, first as an assistant in a special needs classroom, and then as a reading teacher in Coral Springs, followed by working at the Harden Early Childhood Center in Mount Dora, and tutoring at Christian Home and Bible School. I finally settled into teaching Kindergarten at Astatula Elementary School for the Arts where I started with a teaching certification in the field of Drama (thank you University of Miami!) I always say I want to teach 'til I'm a hundred and two because I enjoy it so much! I'm able to blend my love for children, teaching, learning, service to the community, and my love for the arts. I earned my Master of Arts Degree with a major in teaching from National University. My parents have both passed away in the past few years. I lost my second husband Doug in May of 2014. We married in 2000... he was a 'hip' retired D.J. 15 years my senior. He and I had moved into The Hawthorne of Leesburg, Florida, the 'over 55' community where my parents lived, and I've decided to stay here in our little house on Lake Serenity. My son's a musician who's been working for 'Guitar Center' for many years. He's the General Manager of their store in West Palm Beach, FL. He is married to a bright, beautiful young woman named Kate, and they have one daughter, Alexis. My daughter Katie and her daughter Melanie are living in Mount Dora, FL. ... a beautiful little town that looks like New England with palm trees!
I decided to add the following before the reunion because I don't want to have to 'go there' about my decision to teach...
What do teachers make?
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.
He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do... those who can't, teach."
To emphasize his point he said to another guest, "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make?" (She paused for a second, then began..)
"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor..
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.
You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
''I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America .
I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life." (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... you want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?"
His jaw dropped, and he went silent.
