Cindy Gaston
LightNews LightNews
banner
gastoncindy.bsky.social
Cindy Gaston
@gastoncindy.bsky.social
160 followers 160 following 110 posts
Lifelong Learner, Public School Educator, Instructional Coach, Believer, Mom in Chattanooga, TN
#JoyatSchool #PaideiaLearning
Posts Replies Media Videos
gastoncindy.bsky.social
I knitted pumpkin hats for my niece’s baby. It was so cute I made another one for my neighbor’s baby. I love how they turned out.
Small kitted pumpkin hat. The main hat is orange, and it has a green stem, leaf and twisting vine on top.
October 25, 2025 at 12:31 PM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
Our small group of alumni & retirees had a lovely conversation tonight for #NationalPaideiaSeminarDay. We discussed the poem Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye. Let’s take care of each other! #JoyAtSchool @paideiacenter.bsky.social
Four retirees, two young alumni, and one teacher pose, smiling, in the school library after doing a seminar on Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye. Behind them is the slide with the seminar follow up that contains an image of a related art print (Father and Child by John Wilson). Seminar circle from the point of view of the facilitator. In the foreground is the seminar plan, the poem (Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye), and a seminar map. In the background, seminar participants are discussing the poem.
October 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
For #NationalPaideiaSeminarDay, 8th gr discussed a political cartoon from Rev War. Discussion was lively. Points were hotly debated. When a student came in late as seminar was ending, the teacher heard her friend say, "Girl, you missed the best seminar!" We are so glad she approved! #JoyAtSchool
Students sit in a circle in a classroom. They are hotly debating a Revolutionary War era political cartoon. Their body language (leaning in, gesturing with hands) shows their engagement in the dialogue. Panoramic shot of students sitting in a circle in a classroom. They are hotly debating a Revolutionary War era political cartoon. Their body language (leaning in, gesturing with hands) shows their engagement in the dialogue.
October 1, 2025 at 3:24 PM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
Happy National Paideia Seminar Day! We kicked off last night with a parent seminar: Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye. Amazing discussion! So honored to hear varied perspectives of our parents! From strangers to caring community in one seminar! #PaideiaSeminar #JoyAtSchool @paideiacenter.bsky.social
Parents sit at tables in a library doing pre-seminar work on Shoulders (poem). Parents sit on a circle in the library with name tents in front of them. In the foreground, the facilitator’s text and map are visible on her clipboard. Awesome group of parents pose after the seminar with big smiles. In the background is the seminar follow up on a slide: “Set a goal to do something to care for a colleague or a friend in the next few weeks. Write down your intention.”
October 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
Our high school choir sang our Alma Mater, which was written just last year when we had our first senior class. Over 1,000 students sang along. I love my school! #JoyAtSchool 5/6
A small choir of high school students performs in a school gym. They are dressed in jeans and black tshirts. The director stands in front of them, back the camera. The back of her shirt says, “It’s a good day to make music!”
September 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
Kids from various grades shared about their summer #ServiceLearning projects. I’m so proud of their work and their care for the community. #JoyAtSchool 4/6
Kids of various ages wait their turn to share their service learning at a podium.
September 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
We also had an alumna share about how her #Paideia education has impacted her life. I remember her from middle school, and now her son is a student. Beautiful full circle moment! #JoyAtSchool 3/6
A woman stands at a podium in a school gym. A middle school band is seated on the stage behind her.
September 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
A senior spoke about the impact of his K-12 #Paideia education. It was beautiful, heartfelt, and profound. I remember him as a 5 year old, a middle schooler, etc. I’m proud to see him as a young man who values the school community we work hard to maintain. #JoyAtSchool #PaideiaLearning 2/6
A young man stands at a podium in a school gym. A middle school band is seated on the stage behind her.
September 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
My Murph is quite quirky, but I love him!
Adorable mutt with slightly shaggy black and white fur and droopy ears sits up politely as if posing. He looks forlornly into the camera because his owners made him wear a light blue hoodie sweatshirt. He is still adorable.
August 4, 2025 at 9:53 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
My district had a session on JOY at the summer leadership institute! Session included brain science and strategies for joy. Each school team created a vision board for cultivating joy. Joy matters! #JoyAtSchool
Displayed slide says, “Joy is a strategy.” Text is surrounded by photos of joyful children in various settings. The foreground shows the backs of adult educators looking at the slide. Displayed slide has two photos (athletes in a gym and a student holding up a piece of artwork). The text on the slide says: Joy’s Connection to Learning What Joy does to students: - Increased engagement and motivation - Enhanced creativity and problem-solving - Improved cognitive abilities - Stronger relationships - Deeper understanding and retention - Improves physical and mental health Photo shows a gym with educators working around crowded tables. The group in the foreground has 4 school leaders working to create a vision board of joy at school. Three of them are leaned over, arranging and taping down photos that represent joy. The fourth is looking on as they work. A white poster made from chart paper hangs on red bleachers. The poster is a Joy vision board. It has 15 photos scattered about the page that represent joyful moments at schools (students being creative, sports team posing, graduates in caps and gowns, people in silly costumes, etc.) the text at the top says, “Joy @ CSLA!” and #joyatschool. There are words scattered around the poster with curly arrows pointing to the photos. Each word represents how joy is cultivated at our school. The words are: - Can-do attitude - Big dreams and dreams realized - Creating readers and writers - Curiosity - Diverse cultures - Community service - Hands-on - Caring and connectedness - Fun - Creativity - Community - Laughter
May 31, 2025 at 11:56 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
K-12 gathered to honor our first *ever* senior class & 3 retirees: 2 beloved teachers & our principal. I have been a part of this class’s education at CSLA since they were in K, and have had the honor of serving with the principal for 16 yrs. I cried bittersweet tears, but mostly felt #JoyAtSchool!
A female student with curly brown hair stands at the podium addressing the gym with a microphone in her hand. She is honoring two teachers and a principal who are retiring. In the background, watching from the side, and the 3 retirees. They are smiling at the student with arms around each other’s shoulders. Students look on from the bleachers. Rows of seniors in royal blue caps and gowns sit in chairs in a school gym. Students from elementary to high school look on from the bleachers. The retiring principal and her instructional coach pose, smiling, side by side. They are in a gym with the school logo emblazoned on the wall behind them. An educator poses with a senior, who is dressed in a royal blue cap and gown. She has a gold stole and several cords around her neck. They are side by side, smiling, with arms around each others’ shoulders. In the background are other seniors and a banner declaring, “Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle!”
May 9, 2025 at 11:02 PM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
Have you found any #JoyAtSchool lately? Please share the good stuff happening at your school! We can always use more joy!
Interactive bulletin board at a school asks, “What brings you joy?” The wise joy is spelled out in huge chunky tan letters on a black background. A pocket on the bottom right provides sharpies for students to write responses. Letters are filled with their responses, things like tacos, snow days, friends, even specific names. One student wrote, “Dance brings me JOY!” Bulletin board has a border with snowflakes and the black background is dotted with paper snowflakes made by students.
April 27, 2025 at 11:21 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
Here are a few more pics of ArtsFest. #JoyAtSchool
1. Art display with pottery, sculpture, and paintings from elem, MS, & HS
2. 3rd grade art (study of artist Christian Robinson and the idea of belonging)
3. High school artist Bobby Bundy’s AP portfolio piece
4. Families mingle at food trucks.
An art display at ArtsFest. Table in the foreground has pottery fantasy houses by high school students. Behind the table, a shelf holds cardboard sculptures by middle school students (a robot and a guitar) and more high school pottery (vessels and mugs). On the wall is first grade insect paintings that represent pollinators they have studied as they learned about plants. Mixed media art by third grader Rian is displayed at ArtsFest. Her art shows children swinging under a blue sky with puffy white clouds. Vivid green grass below them. The main figure in the swing has a big smile and textured fabric clothes. Her caption reads, “I feel like I belong at my camp Girls Inc. Everyone includes me there.“ Drawing/painting by high school senior Bobby Bundy as part of an AP Art portfolio display. Pencil drawn game boy being held by two hands. Emanating from the screens are vibrant splashes of color and small icons. Students and families gather at food trucks during ArtsFest.
April 27, 2025 at 11:13 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
Yesterday our 7th graders helped their kindergarten buddies fly kites. Kite Day always is always full of #JoyAtSchool!
Soccer field is scattered with students (7th graders and kindergarteners) and their teachers. Students are attempting to fly kites, and sometimes succeeding! A few kites can be seen flying against the backdrop of tress behind the field.
April 27, 2025 at 10:55 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
State testing is hard on everyone, but we found #JoyAtSchool in the middle of it with ArtsFest! There was art and music from elem, MS, and HS. Perfect evening for our school community! (4 photos aren’t enough to show all the awesomeness and joy!)
A high school choir sings in an outdoor courtyard. The backs of family members watching are visible in the foreground. Display of 7th grade art entitled Creative Color Wheels. Each piece in the array has the color wheel depicted with different shapes on black backgrounds. Interactive station called Mini Masterpieces encouraged visitors to make small art. Table in the foreground has sticky notes and art supplies. In the background is a piece of black butcher paper with sticky note art displayed. Third grade students play recorders on the stage at ArtsFest.
April 27, 2025 at 10:50 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
When your HS science teacher hatches ducklings in her classroom, there is so much #JoyAtSchool!
March 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
We danced the night away at #TETC! It is amazing to have friends who are brilliant and fun!
@juliedavisedu.bsky.social @ashgburns.bsky.social @mospillman.bsky.social @pnabbie.bsky.social
@techtips411.bsky.social
A group of 8 educators pose together on the dance floor at TETC. 3 educators, all dressed in black, pose together on the dance floor. 2 educators pose together on the dance floor at TETC Four educators pose, smiling, for a selfie.
December 6, 2024 at 3:45 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
It was an honor to present with @gregbagby.bsky.social, Adrianne Cowan, Michelle Bettis, and @juliedavisedu.bsky.social at #TETC. Also enjoyed the amazing keynote by @lesliefisher.bsky.social. #LifelongLearning
Three educators pose in front of a screen with the title slide for their presentation at TETC. The title of the presentation is Coaching for the Masses. Three educators pose in front of a screen with the title slide for their presentation at TETC. The title of the presentation is Ultimate EdTech Showdown. Three educators pose in front of a screen with the title slide for their presentation at TETC. The title of the presentation is Helping Students See the Value of Originality and Creativity. A group of 9 educators pose together wearing conference badges for TETC. In front is the Keynote speaker, Leslie Fisher.
December 6, 2024 at 3:35 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
Fun seeing you! #TETA24
Two educators smiling at the camera on the dance floor
December 6, 2024 at 3:14 AM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
In case you missed the big parade today, here’s a snippet of balloons on parade from #STEAM classes. Kids are awesome! Enjoy! #PaideiaLearning #JoyatSchool #Thanksgiving #EduSky
November 28, 2024 at 4:17 PM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
I’m looking forward to #TETC2024!
November 17, 2024 at 8:05 PM
gastoncindy.bsky.social
I’m an Instructional Coach at a K-12 public school where #PaideiaLearning gets kids and teens talking, thinking, reasoning, and creating. I am determined to look for, celebrate, and cultivate #JoyAtSchool. I’m here to learn! #LifelongLearner
November 17, 2024 at 1:01 PM