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May 2023
TEACHER APPRECIATION BEYOND WORDS I’m Contributing to Education in My Own Way
helping hand. That’s why my wife and I often volunteer at local schools. One of our favorite ways to help is by assisting with a program that provides books to kids at a low-income school in East Austin. Over the years, the program has provided well over 50,000 books to the kids there. We do several other things at that school, but the book distribution is always the highly anticipated event. There are also times when I play the role of a teacher. For well over a decade now, I’ve been working through the Seedling Foundation to mentor students whose caregivers are incarcerated. It’s been a rewarding experience, and I love getting to know the kids. My most recent mentee is a kid I’ve been mentoring since he was in prekindergarten, and now he recently graduated from high school. We’ve gotten together for lunch roughly once a week during that span, and I’ve enjoyed just getting opportunities to talk while shooting hoops or throwing a football around. It’s not only students I actively try to teach; I also regularly teach adults. Our practice prides itself on our dedication to education. For the past several years, I’ve given speeches to lawyers all over the state about personal injury law and trial presentations. I have literally spoken all around the state, from Lubbock to South Texas and from El Paso to Beaumont. We also want our clients to be as informed as possible. We pride ourselves on educating our clients about their claims, their rights, and the claim and lawsuit process so our clients can make the best decisions going forward. School teachers play an essential role in our development and, in many cases, shape each of us as adults. We can all be teachers to one another, too. This Teachers’ Day, take some time to think about the teachers from your youth and find ways to share your wisdom, knowledge, and passion with others. You never know whom you’ll inspire.
Do you remember the people who inspired you the most throughout your youth? Some of us think of our parents, while others may have fond memories of their high school baseball or football coaches. For many of us, this question doesn’t conjure up thoughts of a single person but a cohort of people who share one goal — to educate and inform us. Of course, I’m talking about teachers! On May 2, we have a special opportunity to show our appreciation for the teachers in our lives when we celebrate Teachers’ Day. I’ve been lucky enough to have some fantastic teachers in my life. From my excellent kindergarten teacher, Ms. Witte, to my high school debate and honors English teacher, Ms. Moeller, I have had many teachers who shaped who I am today. My kids also had some phenomenal teachers during their educational journey, and I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the school teacher who was always closest to home and my heart, my mom. I’m grateful to all the teachers in my life because they instilled in me the importance of education and inspired me to be a lifelong learner.
My gratitude for my teachers helped me appreciate education as a whole. Their efforts made me want to give back and lend a
-C. Brooks Schuelke
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Bad Grade? Sue Your Professor!
the professor remarked, “I believed she received the grade she earned.” In fact, Eckhardt testified that Thode had explosive behavior in class, acted unprofessionally, seemed emotionally unstable, and didn’t even heed a warning letter. As expected, a judge quickly rejected this case in court. NPR announced that, after only four days of testimony in the civil trial, the judge determined the university never breached any contract and did not owe Thode a dime. In the end, Thode changed her master’s degree to human development. She won’t be anyone’s therapist any time soon!
During your school career, you probably got at least one grade that was less than you deserved. Maybe you painfully accepted the grade or confronted your instructor for an explanation. Most people choose one of those two options — but have you ever heard of a student taking their professor to court? That’s precisely what this Pennsylvanian student did when she discovered her C+ grade wouldn’t let her graduate. Megan Thode, a Lehigh University graduate student, sued her professor and school for the mediocre grade that would ultimately cost her a degree. Thode reported that due to the incorrect grade, she couldn’t graduate and, therefore, couldn’t pursue a career as a licensed therapist. Thode demanded a grade change from this lawsuit as well as monetary damages. How much exactly? She wanted $1.3 million. According to Thode, this represented the money she would lose from not earning her graduate degree and starting her desired career. We should note that since Thode was the daughter of Stephen Thode, a finance professor at Leigh University, she attended the school for free. Her professor, Amanda Eckhardt, gave Thode a zero in class participation, lowering her overall grade to a C. And Eckhardt stood by her evaluation. According to USA Today, when questioned,
Cinco de Mayo: More Than a Drinking Holiday Celebrate Mexican Culture All Year Long
support plenty of Mexican businesses. You’ll uplift the owner and the Mexican community whose culture we all love. Most of us understand that small businesses have it rough. So, take the time to shop for hand-crafted Mexican jewelry or pottery — and dine at a Mexican restaurant you’ve never been to. Experiencing Mexican Museums and Art From Frida Kahlo to Diego Rivera, Mexican art has offered countless masterpieces and colorful works. Take some time to visit a nearby Mexican museum or art gallery to witness some authentic Mexican art and history. A country’s artwork often reflects its culture, so explore nearby venues that spotlight Mexican artists. Cooking Authentic Mexican Cuisine Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t like Mexican food”? Neither have we! This month, skip Taco Bell and try cooking an authentic Mexican dish. Enchiladas, tortas, flautas, pozole, and more authentic recipes are at your fingertips (on your smartphone). When you taste a nation’s popular meals, you can better grasp its unique culture. If you missed Cinco de Mayo this year, don’t worry; you can embrace Mexican culture all year long. Remember the true story of the Battle of Puebla and uplift the Mexican community in your area.
While Cinco de Mayo may have already passed, there’s never a wrong time to celebrate Mexican history. Cinco de Mayo fiestas have certainly taken on a life of their own in the
U.S., but we should honor the holiday with appreciation, not just margaritas. Not everyone knows that Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico’s victory in the Battle of Puebla — it’s a reminder to embrace the beauty and power of the Mexican culture. On May 5, 1862, French troops outnumbered Mexican forces, yet the latter persevered. The Battle of Puebla remains an astounding historical victory for Mexico and gives us the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. So, maybe it’s time to discover how you can honor this vibrant culture in your own community. Supporting Mexican Businesses Whether it’s a local Mexican artisan or a family-owned Mexican restaurant, you can
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TAKE A BREAK
After any divorce, if you have lingering feelings of resentment or anger toward your ex-spouse, co-parenting might seem incredibly daunting. Yet, it doesn’t have to be a bitter relationship between you and your ex. While it does take two to tango, and each parent needs to put in the effort, there are ways to ensure you create the best possible family environment for your children. While co-parenting may be challenging, don’t be discouraged. We’ll share why co-parenting is essential and tips for healthy co-parenting. How Co-Parenting Affects Kids The American Psychological Association found that children who spent time with both parents after a divorce experienced fewer emotional and behavioral issues and were as well-adjusted as children whose parents never divorced. The following co-parenting tips can help prevent conflicts so you can focus on caring for your children. • Separating Emotions From Behaviors Negative emotions about your ex-spouse should never affect your actions, especially in front of your children. Arguing in front of your kids will harm them emotionally. • Avoiding the Temptation of Venting to Your Kids Prevent complaints from reaching your children’s ears. Instead of voicing negative comments about your ex-spouse to your child, you should vent to a friend or counselor. • Letting Everyone Have a Say While you may always want to be in charge, you should allow your ex-spouse to participate in your children’s daily lives. • Maintaining Respect Think of co-parenting as a business relationship where disrespect is never allowed. When you remain respectful, you can avoid heated conflicts. While it may be difficult, proper co-parenting can ensure your child feels loved by both parents. When done with your children’s best interest in mind, this will boost their confidence and help them better acclimate to the divorce. Their well-being should always be both parents’ top priority. KEEP YOUR FAMILY HAPPY AFTER A DIVORCE With These Co-Parenting Tips
Inspired by Epicurious.com SALMON CROQUETTES WITH DILL SAUCE
This dish is light and refreshing, making it perfect for spring! The crispy salmon patties pair perfectly with the cool dill sauce dolloped on top.
Ingredients
• 1 large white onion, finely chopped • 4 large eggs, beaten • 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt or fat- free sour cream • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard • 6 sprigs fresh dill, chopped • 2 14.75-oz cans salmon packed in water • 4 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp pepper • 2 tbsp olive oil
Directions
1. In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, Dijon mustard, and dill to make the dill sauce. Set aside. 2. Drain the salmon, then remove and discard the bones and skin. In a large bowl, mix the salmon, celery, onion, eggs, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 8 patties. Coat a medium skillet with olive oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Cook the patties until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. 3. Put a dollop of the dill sauce on top of each patty and serve.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Brooks’ Passion for Education
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Student Takes C+ to Court Rethinking Cinco de Mayo
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Salmon Croquettes With Dill Sauce Tips for Co-Parenting After a Divorce
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Stargaze This May
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Why You Need to See Eta Aquariids DON’T MISS THIS ASTRAL EVENT
All month long, countless astronomy aficionados will be camping out in the dead of night to catch a glimpse of an annual meteor shower. First discovered in 1870, the meteor shower known as Eta Aquariids can be seen from Earth every May. This stellar space show moves as fast as 44 miles per second and leaves a bright, glowing trail behind it. Eta Aquariids is visible to both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, making it an optimal summer night event. However, this one might be for the night owls since it peaks past midnight. Curious to know more about this mysterious annual meteor shower? Let’s discover the origins of Eta Aquariids and how you can catch a glimpse of this galactic sight. The meteor shower was made from Halley’s Comet. Eta Aquariids is a collection of leftover space debris from the famous Halley’s Comet — mostly ice and dust. As these meteors pass through the Earth’s atmosphere, they heat up and glow bright enough for you to see. Every year, you can watch as these small chunks of Halley’s Comet burn and leave shining streaks in the night sky. It takes nearly 76 years for Halley’s Comet to orbit the Sun just once, and the last time we saw this iconic comet was in 1986. It won’t even reenter our solar system again until 2061, but luckily it left us the yearly gift of Eta Aquariids.
Here’s how to best view the Eta Aquariids. There’s no specific date to see Eta Aquariids, and we only know the time range of early to mid-May. Your last chance to witness this spectacular sight in 2023 is May 27. Yet, 2023 is said to be an exceptionally bright year for this meteor shower. According to Bill Cooke, the lead for the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA, the meteor rates will be over two times the average speed which will cause an abnormally vibrant glow. For specific stargazing dates, check the American Meteor Society’s official calendar (AMSMeteors.org/meteor-showers/meteor-shower- calendar). To best view this magnificent meteor shower, you’ll need to get cozy in your lawn chair around 2 a.m. It’s crucial that you give your eyes at least a half hour to adapt to the darkness so you can see the shower. There’s no need for binoculars or telescopes since Eta Aquariids is visible to the naked eye. Simply find a dark spot away from city lights and wait for the show!
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