I spent the day with Annika at her basketball tournament today. This was her first year playing, but she was on a team with a lot of super-talented kids who have obviously been playing basketball for years already, so while she practiced hard, she didn't get much playing time in the tougher games today. She … Continue reading February 17: Ready for Action
education
February 15: Hopeless
I'm still angry. I didn't want to go to school today. I didn't sleep well last night. I've had a headache almost all day and all I want to do is cry. I still went: I have kids to work with and today I was observed, so I should have been on top of my … Continue reading February 15: Hopeless
Tuesday, February 13: Grading and Love
Today, Dak (my husband) offered to take care of the few things going on at home so I could stay at school and grade essays. In terms of how quickly other teachers get things back, I am not especially behind, but since I have four classes with essays coming in every few weeks, I need … Continue reading Tuesday, February 13: Grading and Love
January 12: Teaching with ADHD
I share my ADHD with the world. I am super-open about it; I'll answer any questions as long as I know the answer. It's a major part of my life story and it effects everything, but no one can see it. Invisible issues, like ADHD, ASD (sometimes), depression, anxiety, and other mental health or brain-based … Continue reading January 12: Teaching with ADHD
February 11: Strike?
My daughter is laying next to me asking questions about the potential teacher strike in St. Paul. "So why are they going to maybe go on strike?" "There are lots of reasons honey. The teachers want to make sure that you and all the other students have an opportunity to get the education you need. … Continue reading February 11: Strike?
February 8: Small Successes
Today, one of my classes was all on time and they all wrote for the five minute write period we have every day at the beginning of class. They didn't talk, they didn't make silly faces at each other, they didn't even really go on their phones. Then they actually talked about the topic with … Continue reading February 8: Small Successes
February 7: Reading Snobs?
Today, this article about Duluth removing To Kill a Mockingbird and Huck Finn from their required reading list popped up on my Facebook feed. People get really up in arms about changes to curriculum. Some are strong proponents of certain books or pieces that must be read: Romeo and Juliet for example (or Shakespeare in … Continue reading February 7: Reading Snobs?
February 5: Basketball Diary
Annika is playing basketball this year for the first time. She loves playing, even though there are a lot of kids on the team who are more skilled and often don't pass to her. She is playing within a group of kids who have been playing a lot for much longer than she has, and … Continue reading February 5: Basketball Diary
January 31: One Month Celebration!
I actually did it. One whole month. I am actually not really sure what to think. I don't have a lot of will power and there have been a lot of nights (like tonight) where I thought UGH I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE but I just forged ahead and did it anyway. So what … Continue reading January 31: One Month Celebration!
January 26: Debate Access: Some Issues
I promised before I would write more about this (I'm sure you are all thrilled), and today I got my "thanks for judging state debate" letter and check in the mail, so no time like the present. I started compiling a list of potential issues with accessibility in debate earlier this year and I'm going … Continue reading January 26: Debate Access: Some Issues
Adventures in Distraction 