External /ikˈstərn(ə)l,ekˈstərn(ə)l/ Adjective pertaining to what is outside the subject We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them. Epictetus (50-135 AD)

Screen /skrēn/ Noun/Verb noun 1. a flat display area on electronic devices such as televisions, computers, or smartphones, where visuals and data appear While we often look to classrooms to understand why students are not learning more, some of the causes may be attributed to screen time, cellphones and social media. – “American Children’s Reading Skills Reach New Lows”, The New York Times 2.... Read More

Achievement /əˈCHēvm(ə)nt/ noun an accomplishment attained through hard work Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. – Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945)

Appreciation /əˌprēSHēˈāSHən/ noun grateful recognition The aim of life is appreciation; there is no sense in not appreciating things; and there is no sense in having more of them if you have less appreciation of them. -G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Resourceful /rəˈsôrsf(ə)l/ adjective 1. having the ability to achieve a purpose or fulfill a function with one’s own ingenuity; enterprising I am too intelligent, too demanding, and too resourceful for anyone to be able to take charge of me entirely. -Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986) 2. having the skill and consciousness to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties. Like a wild animal, the... Read More

Variety /vəˈrīədē/ noun 1. a mix of different elements that creates variation and avoids monotony Variety is the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor. – The Task (1875) by William Cowper (1731-1800) 2. multiple examples from the same general type, each varying in quality or form Whoever wants to tell a variety of stories ought to have a variety of... Read More

Alchemy /ˈalkəmē/ noun 1. A medieval precursor to chemistry, aimed at transforming ordinary substances into gold and creating an elixir of immortality The transmutation of the elements was pursued in medieval laboratories in a quest called alchemy. – Cosmos (1980) by Carl Sagan (1934-1996) 2. A seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination The beautiful souls of the world have an art of saintly alchemy, by which bitterness is... Read More

Academic /ˌakəˈdemik/ adjective/noun adjective 1. related to formal education That I was not suited to commerce or academic study in no way proves that I should also be unfit to be a painter. – Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) 2. Focused on theoretical learning and scholarship rather than practical application The most dangerous thing about an academic education is that it enables my tendency to... Read More

Poison /ˈpoizn/ noun/verb noun a toxic substance that could be fatal if swallowed Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. – Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) verb to kill with toxic chemicals Anger repressed can poison a relationship as surely as the crudest words. – Joyce Brothers (1927-2013)

Scapegoat /ˈskāpˌɡōt/ noun someone who is blamed for the actions of others The search for a scapegoat is the easiest of all hunting expeditions. – Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)