This morning, a memory jumped up on Facebook: a year ago, I posted publicly that I had accepted a job at Roseville and would be leaving Forest Lake that month. It was the hardest decision I have made in my career. At that time, I believed it was the right choice and this year has … Continue reading October 5: Whirlwind Year
hope
September 7: First Friday of the Year
It's finally Friday! I can take a minute to breathe, rest, think a little bit, and sleep. Like I said yesterday, this schedule is killing me so far. I had 15 hour days until today, when I took an 11 hour day and left school at 6 to come home and rest. I haven't done … Continue reading September 7: First Friday of the Year
September 4: IT BEGINS
Today was my first day as a middle school teacher. It was Anders's first day of 8th grade. It was Annika's first day in E2 - 4th grade. It was both an easy and hard day all at once: a full day with very little sleep, but it was planned and there wasn't a lot … Continue reading September 4: IT BEGINS
August 29: teacher tired
Today was my 3rd 12-hour-day in a row and it caught up to me. I fell asleep then woke up and remembered I have to write. I have so much to learn with two schools, and then two orientations, and tomorrow happens to be both of my kids' back-to-school nights. So another 12 hour day, … Continue reading August 29: teacher tired
August 16: Shaking up the Squo
I've been to meetings and I've talked with so many different people about the problems with debate and I think I want to put some things "on paper" so to speak, just to get them out of my head. This will be specific to how to be a good adult at a debate tournament/as a … Continue reading August 16: Shaking up the Squo
July 21: Explaining extremism a little
I have always been fascinated with extremism, probably because I don't have a long enough attention span to get too extreme, although I'm not really sure. Maybe some of you think I'm extreme. But I've never really understood why anyone would be a member of a hate group or put that much time into actively … Continue reading July 21: Explaining extremism a little
July 4: Home Sweet Home for Independence Day
My own bed, coffee, water, shower, bathroom... everything just feels good at home after a long vacation. I slept so late because it was storming this morning and it was heavenly. This afternoons we had an amazing barbecue with homemade potato salad, chip dip, brownies, and drinks. The fireworks set off just a bit after, … Continue reading July 4: Home Sweet Home for Independence Day
June 21: Happy Solstice
Celebrating solstice makes sense to me, especially in winter when we're welcoming back the sun, but also in the summer. The longest day of the year, and tilting back toward balance, seems like a good point to take stock of things. Right now the world feels out of balance, but perhaps it's time for the … Continue reading June 21: Happy Solstice
June 8: School’s Out
So I've been having all sorts of feelings with the end of the year, and I can't totally sort them all out. I felt guilty and weird for a long time after leaving Forest Lake in the middle of the year, but that had kind of faded and I had just been enjoying teaching in … Continue reading June 8: School’s Out
May 27: Getting back to good
Tonight, Dak asked Annika what the most fun part of the day was. She had a pretty full day: playing with friends, playing in a new tiny pool with her Playmobils, watching videos, and reading. However, she said the most fun part of the day was picking out the colors for the flower mosaic I … Continue reading May 27: Getting back to good
Adventures in Distraction 