katef
Kate Fletcher was born and raised in Virginia and has been an RVA resident since 2002. Married since 2004, Kate and her husband, Gary, have three boys: Matthew (age 9), Wesley (age 6), and Henry (age 2). All three boys have autism, so the Fletcher family is very active in autism advocacy, awareness, acceptance, and research. They are members of the Autism Society of Central Virginia, and Kate periodically writes as a guest blogger for Autism Speaks. She also works full-time as a middle school history teacher in Chesterfield County and is pursuing National Board Certification. When not at school or shuttling her boys around town, Kate enjoys spending time outside, especially at Virginia State Parks and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, shopping, eating, and lots of coffee. Follow her personal blog at www.farbeyondzebra.com.
Keep Education Alive This Summer
What is summer brain drain?
It’s when time off school leads to children losing knowledge and skills they spent the previous school year gaining.
While we all need respite and relaxation, it is important for kids...
Why We Don’t Celebrate Halloween
I love cinnamon-scented pinecones, mums, changing leaves, hayrides, and little fun-size chocolates. My middle child sings the best rendition of “Five Little Pumpkins” ever. My family loves fall. But behind the crisp morning air,...
3 Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference
As public schools finish the first marking period, most of us face the same upcoming event on the calendar: Parent-Teacher Conference Day.
I have a confession… This teacher hates Conference Day.
Don't get me wrong, I...
Every Kid in a Park
How many of you are always on the lookout for FREE family activities?
Let's be real. Our weekends revolve around three questions:
When will we eat?
How will we exhaust our children? and...
What's the...
Understanding PANS
Our brains are fascinating.
On my journey as a special needs parent, I learn much about how the brain works through neurologists, behavior analysts, and the power of Google. My fellow parents with medically complex...
Make a Date with the Richmond Beer Trail
My husband wears a t-shirt that reads, “Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
If that's true, Richmond is a blessed city.
Richmond was the first city to sell canned beer...
Inclusive Play in the RVA
We all need playtime.
Whether a “mental health day” or making time for our passions, playtime is important for refueling our tanks. For our kids, play enables them to learn, explore, and connect to others.
Raising...
Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Action
Our family doesn’t need a month to be aware of autism. We live autism 24/7/365 because all three of my sons are autistic. When I let people know that (because sometimes I need to explain...
She Believed She Could, So She Did
I grew up with two sisters, no brothers, and tons of Barbies. My heroes were Jem and She-Ra. My mother and grandmothers are best described as fierce, loyal, and extremely patient, and they are my...