I've known Marie for several years through my work as a substitute teacher and most recently as a teaching assistant at Webster Thomas.  I was excited about the prospect of getting to know her better when she contacted me about participating in the project.  We sat down to talk about her life, her teaching career and her family. I came to the conclusion that Marie has had a good, but rough life.  So much of what she shared with me had to do with loss, but through it all, I got a clear sense that she is a very strong woman.  The difficult times has taught her that life is what you make it and you might as well make it the best that you can because you just don't know what's around the corner.  There are no guarantees.  I wanted her portrait to show her in that light, not a glamorous one, but a real "this is me" portrait of inner strength and fortitude. We met at a park while walking her dog.  The light was great and I think we got it right!

In her words:

Everything you do is based on the choices you make.  It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame.  

You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make. Period.

                                                                                                                                    Quote by Brenda Slavin

Marie Prizzi

Math Teacher

Webster Thomas High School

Upon meeting Erica to discuss my project, I began to have a deeper understanding of what mindfulness truly is and how we all can benefit from practicing it.  Erica is an instructional specialist in the Webster Central School District exploring mindfulness. She travels from building to building working with students and staff teaching the connection of mind and body through many means like breathing, meditation, and yoga. She believes that noticing how you feel will help you move through your life in a better way.  

In her words:

externally, we are as ever changing and dynamic as the shift from winter to spring to summer to fall. yet, who we are - beneath the crisp red leaves, the shimmering summer sunsets, the celestial white flakes - is timeless.  there is a space in each of us that is clear, clean, and constant. it is love - unaltered, untouched, and unwavering. it’s for this reason i chose to not wear makeup.  my work is to uncover and undo the layers of fear that life has put on me. and, sometimes that’s as uncomfortably simple as not wearing mascara.

Erica Ebert

Instructional Specialist

Exploring Mindfulness

This project, We All Have a Story, is near and dear to my heart.  It encompassed almost six months of my life and involved many people sharing their stories.  To find out more Click Here  and be sure to leave a comment.