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?
School
March 27: Resumes are Dumb
I just updated my resume because, hey, you never know when you might need it. I wish resumes could be more straight forward - like, I just want to know what I should put on it - and less redundant. When you apply for a job at most schools, they have a whole online process … Continue reading March 27: Resumes are Dumb
March 16: Fun? At School?
Today, for the first time in a very long time, I had fun with every single one of my classes. My 9th graders are reading The House of the Scorpion and are getting into the creepy dystopian world, while my 12th graders just finished reading origin/creation stories from all over the world and comparing them, … Continue reading March 16: Fun? At School?
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 11: Daylight Savings Time Should Be Abolished and other complaints
We got the clocks changed (I think we got them all; I probably need to fix the car still). Can we all agree to just leave them like this? This collective stupid time change thing needs to go. As I've gotten older, I have gotten more and more crotchety and cranky about this. I will … Continue reading March 11: Daylight Savings Time Should Be Abolished and other complaints
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.
March 4: Snow Days for Spring Break
One of my favorite memories of being a kid was waking up on a really snowy day and wondering if we'd have a snow day. My sister and I would huddle in my mom's room, listening to WCCO AM radio as they listed off the school closings between weather updates and commercials. When there were … Continue reading March 4: Snow Days for Spring Break
February 28: It’s Over!
So February is (almost) over. I took Annika to see the Roseville women's basketball game tonight. They played against Irondale in the first round of the section and we left with, like, seven minutes left because Roseville was up by about 30 points and Annika wanted to see my classroom before we left. Tomorrow is … Continue reading February 28: It’s Over!
Adventures in Distraction 