How to [anything]

“How to” is married to “how come?” They are partners in our curiosity and creativity. But along with this great beauty comes something much harder to bear. What do you do about the answers that lie beyond your reach? I have only had one teaching job to date, and this past spring I wondered if… Read More How to [anything]

Internal drive.

What makes us go? Pernille Ripp from Blogging Through the Fourth Dimension provides some challenging and mindful questions about rewards. I am a skeptic of Alfie Kohn, but after what I’ve seen the past two years with PBIS am experiencing my own ‘growth mindset,’ too. PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports), according to the mission… Read More Internal drive.

Drawn to the light…

Last night I dragged my family to see The Moth–the theme of the night was “Fish Out of Water.” The host for the evening was Ophira Eisenberg, and she was sparkling funny.So hearing stories: that’s what we want. All of us,  no matter our age, want this connection. That is what is so tough when… Read More Drawn to the light…

Got your back…

I keep saying this in a Indigo Montoya voice from Princess Bride in my head: “You keep saying this word “support”…I do not think you know what it means…” I crack myself up. This time of year: no taking self seriously. Over my career(s), ‘support’ is an ubiquitous word that lost its meaning. When one… Read More Got your back…

26 Love Letters

                A few weeks ago, an NPR report discussed the disappearance and resulting anxiety of the lost art of cursive handwriting from elementary school curriculum. Years ago, when I was working at Starbucks many of my younger co-workers could not read my handwriting, and while this made me… Read More 26 Love Letters

Genre Lessons

 Yes, a wall of books. It took most students’ breath away, and teachers, too, who peeked in my room. I was inspired to try this real-life sorting activity and authentic book-talks because of pragmatic realities: having moved classrooms nearly every single year, I had had enough of putting books back on shelves by myself, never… Read More Genre Lessons

(no title)

Yesterday was a terrible, terrible day. A tragic event, which in an attempt to maintain some semblance of privacy for the family, I shall not name now. At some point I might, but not now. But–I have a question: One thing that is forgotten about many discussions of the teaching profession is at first, and… Read More (no title)