On the way to school today, I listened to "Keep Ya Head Up" by Tupac and it's been in my head all day. Regular readers of this craziness will know that having songs stuck in my head is typical, but today it was the same song all day, I think. Which is different. But it … Continue reading March 29: It’s going to be okay
hope
March 28: Middle School? Really?
Life threw a curveball today: it looks like I'm going to be teaching at the middle school for half the day next year. I've never taught middle school during the school year. The most I've done is: a) coach 8th grade girls soccer; and b) teach 8th grade summer school where I got to make … Continue reading March 28: Middle School? Really?
March 22: Hope Rollercoaster
I'm teaching Greek myths and the kids are reading and watching all sorts of different stories. One is the story of Pandora, and I keep thinking about how hope is the only thing left in the box after all the terrible things were let out into the world. It has a double meaning, it seems: … Continue reading March 22: Hope Rollercoaster
March 14: Walkouts Everywhere
Kids at our school joined kids across the country and world in walking out to protest gun violence and call for more gun safety. My son's school took part, as well, and I'm glad they did. Students and young people have been at the forefront of social movements forever. They have energy and unbridled passion, … Continue reading March 14: Walkouts Everywhere
March 12: Almost Everything Sucks
Yeah, I said it. I'm in that place. Everything sucks and I hate everything. Well, almost everything. Most things. I feel inadequate as a parent and partner because I'm tired all the time and depressed. I feel unsure about my future and anxious. It's still cold outside and I'm sick of the slursh that's everywhere. … Continue reading March 12: Almost Everything Sucks
March 10: Trauma and Hope
Today was the second day of the ECET2MN conference, which was held at the Open World Learning (OWL) school in St. Paul. I love visiting different schools - it's like being invited into someone else's house, in a way. I imagine what it must be like there with tons of kids buzzing around the hallways. … Continue reading March 10: Trauma and Hope
March 9: Feeling Lost. And Chickens.
Today, Annika shared a picture of her chicken alter-ego. It's a blue chicken with an iron beak that can eat anything and his name is Hozay. It's pronounced Jose, but it's spelled Hozay. When she plays farm at recess with her friends, she becomes Hozay, a legendary chicken. This delights me. It was good to … Continue reading March 9: Feeling Lost. And Chickens.
February 17: Ready for Action
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
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
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
Adventures in Distraction 