Awhile back, I posted about the treasures and gifts that students give to me when I am in residence in schools. I am completely delighted when a young person makes me something, even the smallest note or drawing, and I keep every one. I have several file folders in my cabinet but I also have … Read more
Ellen DeGeneres is not only a remarkably funny comedian and celebrity, she is also a brilliant writer. I have made it my habit in the course I teach to college honors students to screen Ellen’s last stand-up performance that was broadcast on HBO, Here and Now. I like to ask my students to slow down … Read more
Love love love my kids this year. I nearly always do, but this could prove to be an exceptional group, and an exceptional year for my school. I do hope you can visit. It’s unlike any other school I’ve seen, let alone taught in. Very interesting slice of our district. Poverty and ethnicities. We have … Read more
Saturday morning, fairly early and definitely quiet. I am bearing witness to the slow waking of my neighborhood, the first weekend the students are back. Classes start Monday. The tone has changed. Still, over the trill of crickets and songbirds’ breakfast chatter, a church bell sounds in the distance, signal that morning mass is over. … Read more
Thank you for your continued understanding and support. Latest idiocy from the district – we are going to be giving up over a month of critical ELA instruction to test the kids. There will be 7 unit tests – including giving the end-of-the-year test the 2nd week of school, as well as at the end … Read more
Yesterday I watched a discussion on CSPAN2/Book TV between Diane Ravitch and Steven Brill as they debated issues and concerns regarding the current state of American education on the show Afterwords. Here we have two people who are obviously invested in the current state of education in our nation, as we all should be. One … Read more
I have many obsessions, compulsions, and inspirational activities. I keep many lists, I like even numbers better than odd, my silverware drawer must be just so at all times. I also incessantly review, revise, and self-edit. So, first things first…I reread my post of the other day and found a great typo, thinking poetically. … Read more
Last summer I spent a lot of time on my front porch where I could get wi-fi while I worked with Quraysh on Google Docs to get our book written. I generally am found on the deck in back. It was fortuitous because it was the last summer with my two guardian trees. With last … Read more
Ask.com answers my query with the following: Poem is from the Greek poema, a noun derived from the verb poie-o, to make or do. Poets are often called makers.Thanks to my dear friend Linda Moore for bringing this derivation to my attention originally. It is this making that keeps swirling through my thoughts. Too many … Read more
Three years ago this week, I was laid off. It was a surprise. I took the news with a considerable dissociative air. It was unexpected and I was not in agreement with the reasons why my position was being downsized but that was ultimately irrelevant. I did not have a job, effective immediately. The work, … Read more