Although the calendar tells us there are still a few weeks of summer left, for our family, the season has already come to a close. Jessica and the kids have been back in school for three weeks, and the cooler mornings are starting to hint at Fall. We still have one last quick trip to San Diego planned, but looking back, it is clear this was a summer to remember. If you asked our kids, they would probably all say it was the best summer of their lives. It began with a flight to Mexico on the very first day of break, followed by a two-week RV adventure with Grandma and Grandpa Martin. We celebrated a lively 4th of July, then welcomed the Palmers for their annual visit. Jessica and the kids made their way to Iowa for family time, returning home on Elise’s 12th birthday, and soon after, they reconnected with Avery, their close friend from Washington, who joined us for the third summer in a row. Along the way, there were countless afternoons at the pool, water park outings, batting cage swings, and plenty of meals at new restaurants. It truly was a season filled with joy, adventure, and memories that will stay with us for years to come.
Tomorrow afternoon we’ll be heading to San Diego for a quick visit with Auntie Dana and Uncle Brad. Over the past few years it has become a tradition to spend time at their beautiful home in Fallbrook, and the kids always look forward to a beach day. I wanted to give them one more chance to enjoy the ocean before summer is officially behind us. Originally we had planned to leave Friday morning and turn it into a long weekend, since everyone has Monday off for Labor Day. That plan changed when softball tryouts were scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 pm. As Ava’s head coach I have to be there, so instead of three days we’ll only have a day and a half in San Diego. I told the league I thought holding tryouts over a holiday weekend was poor planning, but they insisted it was the only time that worked. It’s a little frustrating, but we’ll make the most of it. Sunday is set aside for the beach, the forecast looks great, and the kids can’t wait to get back on their boogie boards.
On top of all our summer adventures, Jessica has been working incredibly hard, both as a teacher and as a student. She continues to earn straight A’s in her Master’s program at UNLV, and she is already three weeks into her first year of teaching. The time and effort she poured into preparing her classroom over the summer was inspiring, and a reminder of how much teachers do behind the scenes for their students. Her dedication has not gone unnoticed either, as she was recently named a LifeChanger of the Year nominee. Here is what they wrote about Jessica:
Ms. Pellegrini believes that a positive classroom environment starts with belonging. She teaches in a third through fifth-grade self-contained SLD classroom, and many of her students come in already feeling like they are on the outside of the school community. They notice that they are not in the general education setting. They notice when their class is treated differently.
Her goal is to change that narrative from the moment students step into her room. She wants each student to feel safe, seen, valued, and proud of who they are. This begins with relationships. She works hard to build trust and a connection with every student.
Ms. Pellegrini greets them warmly, learns what matters to them, and creates routines that give them structure while still honoring their individual needs. She also teaches with patience, humor, and high expectations. Ms. Pellegrini believes that students rise when they feel respected and when they know someone believes in their potential.
Her classroom environment is intentionally designed to reflect the students in it. That includes the books on their shelves, the visuals on the walls, and the language they use when they talk about learning. She includes multicultural materials, diverse authors, and visuals that affirm different cultures, languages, and family structures.
Many of her students are neurodivergent and come from families that do not match the dominant culture of the school. They need to see themselves represented in what they read, write, and talk about. That representation builds identity, confidence, and connection.
Ms. Pellegrini also celebrates progress every chance she gets. For some students, that may mean reading a new word without support. For others, it might be asking for help instead of shutting down. Every success matters. She wants her students to understand that growth looks different for everyone, and that their path is just as important as anyone else’s.
Most of all, Ms. Pellegrini works to create a space where differences are not just accepted but embraced. She and her students talk openly about how everyone learns in different ways and find joy in discovering how to support one another. In her classroom, every student has a voice, and every student belongs.
Her education journey began because of her daughter Ava, who has a learning disability. After witnessing the challenges she faced in receiving an appropriate and supportive education, Ms. Pellegrini knew she wanted to be part of the solution, not just for her daughter, but for students like her.
In her time as a school employee, she has received only exemplary evaluations and has been recognized by both colleagues and administrators for her work. She was honored to be named a 2024 Starlight Award Honoree, which acknowledges outstanding support professionals in special education. At the time, the award was in only its second year of existence, and she was proud to be part of a growing recognition of the vital work they do.
As a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Ms. Pellegrini was nominated and accepted into the Advanced Studies Pilot Program in Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education. After speaking with the director of special education, she decided to defer her participation until after completing her master’s degree in spring 2026. These experiences reflect her commitment to the field and her ongoing efforts to grow as an educator.
Ms. Pellegrini is dedicated to building inclusive, student-centered classrooms that meet the needs of all learners and to becoming a leader in the special education community.
In just another week I’ll hit the three month mark in my new role as Principal Engineer on the Experience Platform Team at HealthEdge. The time has flown by, and I’m really enjoying it. I feel fortunate to have joined such a strong company and an even stronger team. Before this year I hadn’t heard of HealthEdge, but their growth over the past five years has been remarkable and shows no signs of slowing down. The opportunities here are exciting, the culture is a great fit, and I get to work alongside talented and supportive colleagues. My scope continues to expand, and I find the work both challenging and rewarding. Even in a time when AI tools are changing the landscape of the tech industry, I feel confident in the role I’m filling and the contributions I’m making. I’m grateful to be here and see this as the start of a long-term chapter with plenty of professional growth ahead.
That’s the latest from us. Everyone has settled back into their routines and is doing well. With school back in session, extracurriculars are in full swing again; another softball season is here, and Elise has returned to figure skating. Fall has always been my favorite time of year, and I’m looking forward to cooler mornings, crisp evenings, and everything the season brings. This summer wasn’t the hottest we’ve had in Las Vegas, but I’m still ready for the heat to ease up so we can enjoy the kind of weather that feels like summer in other places. While the kids weren’t exactly thrilled to see vacation end, being back in school has been good for them. It’s hard to believe Ava is already in her last year of middle school and Enzo in his last year of elementary. Clearly, time slows down for no one.
