Tag Archives: HerInsight

09.12.10
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Never Forget… the Wisdom of Children


Today is the ninth anniversary of 9/11.  It seems like times stops every year on 9/11 as we reflect as a nation, a world, and as individuals the horrors of the day and the lessons learned. Over the years I have attended many lectures, read books, watched countless hours of documentaries and spoken with hundreds who have all shared and recounted the days event.  Even today I sat among people of a variety of faiths as we came together to make sense of this world that is somehow off kilter with the sole goal to learn from each other and pray- together.

However, through the years I must admit that the people who make the most sense to me are indeed the children.  Nine years ago I asked my Sunday School class to generate an idea to say thank you to the many rescuers who worked tirelessly at Ground Zero.  They decided to make a quilt of written paper messages, woven together with yarn.  The quilt was quite poignant with some messages in other languages, such as Hebrew or Spanish.  One child wrote… “I hope adults learn to play nice with others,someday”.  Others drew pictures of families holding hands.

September 11, 2001 also was the day that a poem was written that struck such a cord with me. It was shortly after 9/11 that I learned about one amazing young man, Mattie Stepanek. I was so awestruck by the wisdom of this child who spoke beyond his years and through his pain of his Muscular Dystrophy.  He wrote the most loving poem I had ever read from a child. And it has been a true privilege for me to get to know and learn more about Mattie from his mom, Jeni. She writes about Mattie and his efforts for peace in her book, MESSENGER. One of the poems that Mattie has left as his true legacy is below for your perusal and is titled, “For Our World”. My favorite portion of this poem reads..

“Stop for a moment.
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.”

Need I say more. Nope.  Children have so much more wisdom than many adults. And because of this I have great hope that we will learn to “play nice with others”.

Here is the poem and please check out Jeni’s book, Messenger on the website dedicated to Mattie’s world and legacy at http://www.MattieOnline.com

FOR OUR WORLDMattie Hug!
We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment.
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment.
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment.
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice.
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment.
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.

September 11, 2001
© Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek
Used with permission from Hope Through Heartsongs, Hyperion, 2002

Louise Sattler is a School Psychologist, Owner of Signing Families™ and a radio personality.  Look for her new show on the HerInsight media network coming Fall 2010!

09.06.10
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Welcome to Changes and How Two Truck Drivers Saved the Day!


September is always a month of transitions.  This year is of no exception.  Within just the past month our family has experienced a wealth of changes.

First this past month we changed from being a family with a working air conditioner to one without.  To change back to a cool air family was possible and in my viewpoint- mandatory.  So, we are now the proud owner of a fairly clean piece of machinery known as Mr. Carrier.

Second, Mr. Carrier must have sent word that we were a really nice house to reside in because we then gave birth to an assortment of other new household items, including our soon to be new family member, Mr. New Roof.  I decided to change the roof tiles from green to grey.  I know you are shuddering at my exciting life right now.

We then decided to drive our son to Michigan State and of course, back home again.  This is the part of the blog when I get to introduce our newest and best friends- the two truck drivers who saved the day.  You see, we didn’t realize that hitting a median at a high speed when you are pushed off the road by an idiot that is texting causes a bent wheel as well as the other parts of the back of the car that makes it go straight.  Lucky for us, the guy driving behind us on I-80 was adamant that we were in a FLC (Funny Looking Car) and motioned for us to pull over.  So, we did at the first stop we could.  A nice truck stop.  Two wonderful drivers of awesome rigs ,who also moonlighted as mechanics, assured us that if we drove fairly slowly (say speed limit) and didn’t attempt any stupid turns, we would arrive home safely.  I was so happy to be given the sacred trucker’s blessing that I offered to buy them coffee and lunch.  Not being of sound mind, I missed the clue of them holding bags full of food and a cup of coffee while talking to us.  (And if you are curious one was hauling paper and another sand for highway repairs!)

So on the week that we celebrate the Jewish Holidays I must relish in the changes that have entered my life.  And acknowledge that even in a truck stop trust can be earned and kindness can be found.

L’Shana Tovah  / Happy New Year

Louise Sattler is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, the owner of Signing Families and a radio personality.  Come tune in soon to her new show on the HerInsight Media network starting this Fall. As always- bring the coffee!

08.15.10
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HAVE YOU DISCOVERED the INCREDIBLE iSAFE BACKPACK?


I remember when I was an undergraduate student waiting at bus stops or walking home late at night feeling weary and sometimes frightened of my setting.  To try and ease my anxiety I carried with me the safety device de jour at the time, known as the “rape whistle”.  I also carried a small canister of mace.  How much safer and also more comfortable would I have felt had I access to an iSafe backpack! What is the iSafe Backpack? In essence, it is an ingenious backpack/ mobile personal safety device that helps keep children of all ages and adults feel safer when they leave home!

I agreed to try the iSafe backpack (which I received complimentary), because I wanted to see for myself this product that was causing all the  buzz on the “back to school” circuit. Recently, I have had the opportunity to see many backpacks for this back to school season and I wanted to compare.  ( I need to confess- I am FUSSY!)  The iSafe backpack (Sling style) arrived at my door and it was an instant hit with all the teens who were there when the box arrived!  Not only did the iSafe bag come equipped with the most brilliant of mobile personal safety devices-  an easy to access pull string alarm system, but it is able to hold so much of my personal stuff!  My netbook with sleeve fit easily in to the sling backpacks main compartment.  Also, there was a very healthy sized outside pocket to hold a cell phone, personal belongings and even some snack food! In addition, as a person with a bad back, I was duly impressed with the ergonomics of the iSafe Sling backpack. There was much cushion on this backpack which made both the shoulder straps and the outside that rested against my back very comfortable

. As I was trying on my iSafe bag, with the cadre of teens still acting as “judges”, we generated many applications for use.  Some of the teens noted that the alternate styles (in the literature I received with the bag) would be super for college and high school students who needed to pack an entire day of books, computers and after school apparel.  One  girl noted that her parents would feel better if her younger sister had a bag as she walked to school and an iSafe backpack would ease their fears of about potential child abduction.  Of course, we tested the alarm – immediately- and much to our surprise, it was LOUD!  I originally thought the alarm would be a beep, but as one of the teens yelled over the siren- “This alarm could be heard blocks away!”  Collectively we were sold! In addition, my daughter, who is always looking for trendy items paired with practical usage, suggested that the iSafe company may want to consider cute daytime and evening purses, too.  (I personally second the idea)

Moreover, I am thrilled to have the sling back for travel!  Plus, I am a woman who travels nationwide for business.  I often have to stay in hotel rooms by myself.  I love that this backpack acts as a personal security system in a hotel, parking garage and so much more.

As an educator I would give the iSafe Sling Backpack an A+! And I have to thank the iSafe company for making my holiday shopping that much easier- as now I know exactly what I am buying the students in our family!  Oops- just let the cat out of the bag!! Oh well- maybe my nieces and nephew will let me know now which style they want! Here’s hoping you all discover iSafe Backpacks and bags, too!

If you follow my blog then you already know I am a huge fan of photos and videos!  I plan on adding a VLOG on my SIGNING FAMILIES FACEBOOK PAGE for all to learn ASL signs related to the iSafe Backpack.

Check out iSafe on this video!!

To make it easy for all of you- iSafe is now on TWITTER and FACEBOOK!


Louise Masin Sattler is a busy psychologist and owner of Signing Families™.  She also is honored to be part of the HerInsight Network . Catch her show, Learning and Laughter with Louise! every Wednesday at 9 a.m. EST.  Coffee optional.  Laughing is mandatory.   And she’ll be sporting a new iSAFE sling backpack cause it is groovy! Laugh with Louise on Twitter as @LouiseASL

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary ISafe Bag for this review. No other compensation was provided.

06.03.10
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PAH! Literacy with Bilingual /Multilingual Children- DEAF and HEARING!


This is the sign for BOOK in American Sign Language (ASL)

This is the sign for BOOK in ASL

Yesterday on Learning and Laughter with Louise I was so lucky to have three women join the show who are strong advocates for literacy within the bilingual/multilingual communities.

My first guest was Jennifer Jones from the Deaf  Family Literacy Academy in Florida. Her small, but mighty staff, help to promote reading and early education with families who have deaf children.  Jennifer is very passionate about her program and thrilled that they recently received a major grant from CVS which will help them to open another program site in Miami.

I invited Jennifer to be my guest VLOGGER (Video Blogger).  She signed in ASL her information that she shared on the radio show with me AND wrote what she said for our non-signing audience.

Here it is:  

jhoff19152 — June 03, 2010 — Hi, My name is Jennifer Jones and I want to tell you about the Deaf Family Literacy Academy, A Volunteer USA Program. This program helps parents who are hearing and have deaf children through teaching them strategies to communicate and read to their children through American Sign Language. We believe it is very important for parents to start early with their child who is deaf or hard of hearing to give them complete access to language from the earliest age possible and so they can bond with their families and be successful. Our ultimate goal is that deaf and hard of hearing children will be able to read and write on par with their hearing peers.

As the main component of our program, we have deaf adults (deaf mentors), many of whom are teachers, go into the homes of these families, read books to the children, do language activities with the children, help the parents learn ASL, and help older children with homework. We teach the parents how to be their child’s first teacher.

We have programs right now in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, Tampa, Fl in partnership with the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (Rosa Rodriguez is the coordinator there). In the Tampa program, we serve some deaf parents who are not fluent in their reading and writing skills and we help them to read and write better in order to help their deaf or hearing child with homework and be able to read to them.

We are very excited because we received a grant from CVS to be able to expand our services to the Miami-Dade area. We have a few spots left for families in that area. We want to spread the word and let families know that they can receive these services at no cost. We also are partnering with the Alfano Center in Coral Gables to set up a “Mommy and Me” Family Literacy class two mornings a week for mommys or daddys who have a deaf or hard of hearing baby under the age of 3 years old. This class will be led by a deaf teacher that will teach ASL to the parents and babies and also a speech assistant will work in the group as well.

If you are interested in these services, please contact me at 954-608-7309 or jennifer.jones@volunteerusafund.org Thank you !

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The Second portion of the broadcast was with Karen Nemeth, EdM. (Owner of  Language Castle ) I adore Karen as she and I are very much like minded when it comes to helping teachers to integrate unique learning strategies in to the bilingual or multilingual classroom.  She wrote a super book- Many Languages, One Classroom.  If you are a teacher with multiple languages in your classroom this is a must buybuy-  here is the link: http://www.languagecastle.com/Language_Castle/LANGUAGE_CASTLE_HOME.html

Also, Karen asked to post the following resource workshop information  ( I plan on attending her July session in New Jersey and may broadcast LIVE from there!  Anyone want to join in the fun- let me know!)

Emotional Intelligence: Making Connections with Children who Speak Different Languages at the NAEYC Professional Development Institute on May 9, 2010

TWO-day intensive workshop on how early childhood teachers and ESL or bilingual education teachers can collaborate to support early learning and literacy in preschool dual language learners.  That’s part of the NJTESOL-NJBE (New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages-New Jersey Bilingual Educators) Summer Academy in Edison, NJ on July 7-8.  And here is the link for that event: http://www.njtesol-njbe.org/summer-academy/default.htm

Another helpful link is www.colorincolorado.org which offers many literacy tips and resources for parents and teachers.

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Last but not least my third guest was the amazing Stacey Kannenberg.  Someday I will dedicate an entire blog regarding my admiration for this owner of Cedar Valley Publishing,  the creator of  the HerInsight Network and my friend.  But, for today I will need to contain my gushing behavior and simply state that when it comes to advocating for children to learn to READ in the home and the classroom – you want Stacey Kannenberg in your corner.  She walks the walk and talks the talk … ALL THE WAY TO CONGRESS, or at least MOM CONGRESS.

Next week on Learning and Laughter we are going GREEK!  If you were in a fraternity or sorority and had a POSITIVE EXPERIENCE I want to hear from YOU!!

And a special congratulations to Seth, our son, who graduated this week with honors from Oakland Mills High School.  He started life as a very ill baby and has flourished in to a healthy and very happy teen. I have said it before and will say it again, he is my hero.  No kid should have to endure the pain and suffering he has known.  He battled many illnesses to come out stronger.  He has experienced true and raw grief when one of closest friends died.  He is what we call in Yiddish a Mensch-  a person who has true grit and willingly gives to others without expecting anything in return.

He will be off to Michigan State University in a two months to study criminal psychology and forensics.  This possible future FBI agent also loves his soccer FUTBOL.  I don’t often post photos of my kids in blogs- but to honor this special event  I will do so this week.  Enjoy!



04.07.10
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Hello world!


WELCOME!  Hello everyone and thank you for joining me on my new BLOG, well actually VLOG!  Why is that?  Because, I tend to video blog much of what I want to convey for my friends who are anxious to learn, practice or communicate with American Sign Language!

Like many people, I don’t just wear one hat!  I created my own business- Signing Families™, have worked in education for like a “zillion” years, blog on other sites at maniacal speed, host a radio show on the HerInsight network titled- Learning and Laughter with Louise (Yep – it is both Educational and FUNNY!) and have time to spare for my family…. (more about them later).

However, it is important to note that this blog is mostly for us to have a forum to share and learn from each other.  I will be posting my weekly Learning and Laughter with Louise updates here from now on!  So, look forward to flying fingers as I sign my little heart out!

And from time to time I will post favorite material from others, as well.

Comments are welcome…. but we all need to be adhere to a few rules… be nice, play fair and no negativity.

Thanks for reading….