One week done working from home and I have thoughts. First, there are two squirrels that hang out in the tree right outside the window where I have my makeshift office space set up. They are there every morning, chasing each other and chattering. It's a dying or dead tree with a large hole on … Continue reading Teacher at Home: Wobbling
education
January 2: Being Sick Sucks
The title says it all. I haven't had a real virus yet this school year until now, and I had completely forgotten how much it sucks trying to teach while you're sick: everything is more annoying, the terrible fluorescent lights hurt, my patience is short, it's hard to speak loud enough to be heard over … Continue reading January 2: Being Sick Sucks
December 4: daily writing
Today I talked with my writing classes about the importance of daily writing - I shared the research, explained the reasoning, that sort of thing. I think I was better able to sell it because I've seen the benefits first hand by writing here everyday. I can sort my thoughts and feelings, I can figure … Continue reading December 4: daily writing
December 3: back to school
I got to meet my new classes today and they seem like they are pretty cool, or at least they rolled with what we were doing pretty well. The beginning of a new trimester is always kind of anxiety-provoking because first impressions matter a lot and I generally worry about starting well, especially since I … Continue reading December 3: back to school
November 29: crashing
The trimester is over and I'm feeling all kinds of feelings. I'm happy, I'm sad, I'm relieved, I'm reflective. I'm looking forward to a change, but I'm dreading it. And mostly, I'm crashing hard. I've been going and going and going to try to get as much done as I can, but now that the … Continue reading November 29: crashing
November 21: Better
If you would have told me on Monday that I would leave school on Wednesday feeling *good* about things, I would have laughed in your face. But here we are. Teaching can give me metaphorical whiplash: one day can be terrible and I leave feeling like I'm the worst teacher in the world, the next … Continue reading November 21: Better
November 16: reading essays
I graded an entire class set of essays tonight after work. Here's the thing about reading personal essays: you learn a lot about the lives of hundreds of young people - how they view things, how they process, what bothers them and what they care about tremendously. I've read thousands of stories from kids at … Continue reading November 16: reading essays
November 1: conferences
I have far more conferences this year since I'm working at two schools, and I have a few proposals and points for consideration: The word "lazy" is now banned. There is probably some reason a 12 year old doesn't get their work done, but calling a kid lazy doesn't help anything and probably just makes … Continue reading November 1: conferences
October 26: so many things on my mind
One thing about ADHD is that sometimes my mind is swirling with so many thoughts and ideas that it's impossible to keep them straight. At times like that, I kind of shut down and look for distractions for my mind: reading blogs, looking through twitter, playing a little iPhone game, listening to a podcast, laying … Continue reading October 26: so many things on my mind
October 11: Happy Coming Out Day!
One of the first pictures of me in a newspaper was on the front page of the Minnesota Daily holding up a door in front of Coffman Union with Goldy Gopher while a friend burst through the door with a huge smile on National Coming Out Day. It was a great celebration. It felt good. … Continue reading October 11: Happy Coming Out Day!
Adventures in Distraction 