A FACS reflection featuring the Minnesota Family and Consumer Sciences Conference.

It was good to see my FACS/FCS friends at the Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference.  The theme, Bridging the Gap, centering our focus.

This information is in regard to our conference but much of it is important for anyone in the field of FACS/FCS.

Minnesota has just completed their "Frameworks".  It is called "Frameworks"  because FACS/FCS is an elective in Minnesota and the content should be left to the district.  Therefor we can not call them standards.  But, they are similar and a good "Frame" for educators to follow.

Dr. Jill Conlon, Karen Smith and Debbie Larson have spent countless hours meeting with FACS/FCS educators around the state assembling for each of our content areas.  While doing so they lobbied for a FACS/FCS Specialist.  We thank them and the many others that have lobbied for this position over the last 12 years for the success of re-instating this position.

Maxine Peterson was hired in August.

Max, Debbie and Jill spoke at the conference.

Jill and Debbie spoke about the "Frameworks" and the items that they focused while building the content.  They spoke of how the "Frameworks" refer to our National FACS/FCS standards, they said that it is a living document and that it is to be used as a reference in your school's program.  It also refers to STEM, Career Pathways and Math focused areas.

It discusses FACS/FCS as Career and Technical Education, Traditional Programs, Critical Science (addressing issues in society and traditional Science).

Maxine reminded us that a flash drive of the document is available through the Minnesota Department of Education.  She talked about STEM in relation to FACS/FCS and the career wheel. She also reminded us that tuition reimbursement is available for FACS/FCS educators because there is a shortage of teachers.  (Through Perkins, Stafford, and Teach grants).

Minnesota has a Childhood Education Career day in 2016.

She talked about the teacher Cadet training for educators to recruit FACS/FCS educators in your classroom.  http://teachercadets.com/

Lastly she reminded us about the importance of Advisory Boards in your school district and the component of leadership in your program.  (FCCLA is one way to get that leadership component)

Dr. Carolyn Barnhart, AAFCS president, spoke to us about the AAFCS and the programs currently being featured through AAFCS.  Say Yes to FCS and Dine In and the coalition recently formed among FACS/FCS related organizations.  There are 4004 members in the Association, if you are not a member please consider joining.

I was given the opportunity to speak in an educational session about my advocacy of FACS/FCS through my blogging and how to use ETSY.  It was great fun and I thank those that attended the workshop and hope that you gained a bit of knowledge about those items.  FUN group.

A link to my ETSY account/shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilHansDesigns?ref=hdr_shop_menu 

Thanks to Lois Lewis and her team for her countless work in organizing the conference.  It was a great venue and well planned out.

With love from your retired FACS/FCS teacher,
Jane

Dr. Jill Conlon and Debbie Larson speaking on "Frameworks"

Maxine Petterson, FACS/FCS specialist Minnesota

Dr Carolyn Barnhart, AAFCS president speaking on behalf of AAFCS

Lois Lewis, national FACS teacher of the year 2013. Program chair

Family and Consumer Sciences educator shortage is real in some areas. In some, the programs are going away.

Because education has had a budget shortfall over and over in the last 25 years many schools have cut Family and Consumer Sciences programs or stopped building them all together.

These budget cuts have created a lack of interest in the field leaving the many educators, that may be ready to retire, in fear that there is not a group of people ready in the wings waiting to carry on the field.

In many Midwestern and some Southern states there is a FACS teacher shortage even though programs have been cut to the minimum.  This is a conundrum that I have blogged about before. Those that analyse for a living find it odd that a field that is dwindling in numbers but can still be growing in educator positions.

Factors that influence these issues in the United States are:

*location of the program (state)
*state funding of the program
*is STEM promoted in the department
*size of the department
*courses that are taught in the school
*popularity of courses that are taught in the school
*is FCCLA in the school
*is the school rural or urban
*administration support
*how has the school promoted the department and its work
*is department current with times

and the list goes on....if I have missed something obvious please message me!

If you are interested in recruiting and keeping FACS alive the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences is helping.  They have devoted a page on their website to recruiting tools for FACS educators.  Please take a look at and utilize these resources to help this program stay alive! And of course, if you are not a member please join forces with AAFCS and become a contributing member.

Here is the link:  

http://www.aafcs.org/FCSEdPipeline.asp

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Things happen, and there you are, packing, downsizing and wondering why you have all of this "Stuff"

Several years ago my husband lost his management job.  We were at an age that did not lean to acquiring a new position easily at the same income level.  Shocking.

He came home and said, "I think I am going to have to buy myself a job."

Of course he already had a plan and I trusted him.  We purchased a machine shop.  We have had it for 5 years and for the most part it has been a good decision.  His commute has been horrible.  A snowy day could take him 3 hours on the road.  He has always said, "It is fine, unless the perfect house comes along at a good price."

Last week we looked at a home 5 miles from his work and we both knew.  This was it.  Our realtor had been sending us home links for 2 years so we really never planned for this because we didn't think it possible.  So now, here we are attempting to put away items that we have acquired in last 30 years in just a few days.

The last time we moved we declared we would never do it again, we declared we were going to get rid of stuff.  We have piles with good intentions ready to photograph and sell on line but never did. Now, today, we are chucking money out the door because we just do not have time.

Those of you with young children, in your 20's, 30's, and 40's, keep up with the accumulation.  Get rid of things when you are finished with them.  Hand them over to people that might use them, bring them to thrift stores, reuse, recycle but keep up.

Ahhhh, I need more time.

On the other hand, I am looking forward to the new stage and looking out at the beautiful new landscape of our life.

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Can the internet be changing everything, including my profession and how we interact with others? Go to a Conference.....Really!

Yes.

Yes, it is and I am not sure that this is right.

I am preparing for Minnesota's annual conference in northern Minnesota.  The organizer sent me information about attendance because I was curious.  I have cut back on my involvement because I am no longer in the classroom but I am still very interested in "keeping things alive and active."

The numbers for registration are down for our state and I believe on the national level.  I realize that people are busy with their careers, their personal lives, the costs often come out of our pocket and it is expensive.

But I would like FACS teachers as a whole to look at the good that comes from the conferences.  The number ONE thing, the interaction with people!

The Facebook page for Family and Consumer Sciences officially has over 4000 members.  This is a wonderful thing!  There is not a day that the page isn't buzzing with pictures, information and questions.  It is an amazing tool for all FACS teachers.  It helps everyone stay fresh, save time and be creative.

I hope that the good that comes from this page does not hinder the wonder that comes from personal contact and "live" conversation.  I have met some of the most wonderful people in my life through FACS conferences.  These contacts have remained friends and will always be cherished.

Besides my good friends, I have made business contacts, had the opportunity to speak on a local and national level to share my work and the work of teams that I have been a part of on all levels.

My point, yes the Internet is a wonderful tool.  Yes, we can collaborate from all places on line and get things accomplished.  But we do not have the people interaction that all of us need!

The next time you think you don't need to have interaction with your FACS people; think of the couple on a date, not talking to each other, both looking at their phones for validation from an outside source instead of each other.

.......Go to a conference, see your people.

With love from you retired FACS teacher, Jane

Eggless cheesecake, because sometimes you forget all of the eggs have been used

This is a salted caramel type cheesecake.   I used to make cheesecake all of the time but I haven't since our kids left the nest.  This weekend we are traveling to see both of sons and their girls.  I thought I  should bring something sweet for Valentine's day.

The recipe

Crust

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup butter melted
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix press in pan, bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Filling

2-8 ounce bricks cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons corn starch
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
7 ounces sweetened condensed milk  (half can)
2 Tablespoons milk

Cream together cream cheese and sugar.  Add all other ingredients to creamed mixture, mix until smooth.   Pour into baked crust,  smooth out.

Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.

Topping

Place remaining can of sweetened condensed milk in a pool of water on the stove and heat until brown.  Stir occasionally, especially as it gets browner and thicker.  (About an hour and a half)

Sprinkle a Tablespoons of oatmeal over cheesecake, spread caramel over the cheesecake.   Sprinkle a bit more than a dash of sea salt over the caramel. 

And....if I have a few chocolate chips in the house I would melt a 1/2 cup with a Tablespoon of oil and drizzle it over the caramel.

Eat.

I used a heart shaped spring form pan.  You can also use an 8 inch spring form pan.

With love from your retired, FACS teacher, Jane

Minnesota Conference February 26-27 at Cragun's resort near Brainerd, MN, I will be presenting....Drawing for a prize for attending my workshop

The Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences will have their annual conference at Cragun's resort, February 26-27.  It is a great place and their is still time to register and be a part of this event.  "Bridging the Gap, Center our Focus"

See link  http://www.mnafcs.com/2016-conference/

There are many wonderful activities and events to attend and enjoy.  We will celebrate the hiring of our FACS specialist, Maxine Peterson, the first specialist in our state in many years.  Such excitement for our field.

I will be speaking at the conference on Saturday about my blog and ETSY.  I will talk about how to use blogs in your life, your classroom and your work.

I will also talk about ETSY, how it works as a seller and the work that is involved in getting customers through marketing.

Since my workshop is the last possible session on the last day of the conference I will be bringing prizes for a drawing.....handmade of course.

If you are attending the conference and are interested is seeing any of my products for purchase, please message me, I will bring it along so that you can look and touch.  No obligation to purchase.

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilHansDesigns?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Hope to see you soon,

With love and a bribe from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

A quick soup recipe for a cold day or a short lab time.

I like my sweet potato soup savory not sweet.  I made this recipe because I don't like things that remind me of cookies in my soup.  Call me crazy but everyone is different.  The combination of the sweet potatoes with the spices just hits the spot for me.

My fast Sweet potato soup

2 cans (29 ounce) cooked sweet potatoes drained
1 medium onion chopped
2 Tablespoons olive oil
3 cups chicken broth (can use vegetable broth too)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup sour cream
dash red pepper

In a 6 quart pan add olive oil and saute the onions.  Once they are clear add the drained sweet potatoes chicken broth and seasonings.  Simmer until warmed through add in sour cream and whisk in the soup.  Use an immersion blender to make your soup smooth.  (May be poured into a blender if you do not have an immersion blender)

Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream and green onions (scallions) for garnish

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane