Ashland

I spent this weekend in Ashland. It's a fun little town to hang out in, and this weekend was their wine, food and art festival, Taste of Ashland. My friend Erin and I went last year and decided it was a great excuse to leave behind our lives in different cities and catch up. And I'm pleased to say that after a really lousy few days of crumby weather, this weekend was beautiful.

One of the best things about traveling (even if it's a short trip) is trying new things. This year we splurged and stayed at the Ashland Springs Hotel. It's nice, but I really like how it's right in the heart of town. After spending the afternoon nibbling our way around town, we took a little break and then walked less than a block to the Varsity and saw "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day." I knew nothing about the film. I don't spend much time in movie theatres. That's Erin's thing, so I usually leave viewing choices to her. I can guarantee that she sees many more films that I do. Then, this morning we walked about a block up the hill and ate a restaurant we were introduced to yesterday, Dragonfly. For Taste of Ashland they had prepared an ahi sashimi salad with peppers, edemame, tomato, and I don't remember what else. It was really good. And I really enjoyed breakfast this morning.

Taking Charge Pt 3: Job Interview

I had a job interview today. They're always nerve wracking because no matter how prepared I feel going into it, I think of wonderful things I should've said, after it's over and I'm driving home.

Early Childhood Education: A Few Thoughts

Education is always on a teacher's mind. It's part of the price we pay for doing what we do. We question ourselves, administration, and the all-powerful bureaucrats. But as much as I question, I can't imagine the questions that parents ask.

Many of my friends are parents of young children, or are parents to be. They've discovered as they navigate the early years that education starts early. Personally, I can't fathom a system where you apply for pre-school before you even give birth! Yet it exists. I remember attending pre-school, vaguely. Those few memories are more likely anchored to one of my teachers, a friend of the family, than the actual place or activities. I can't recall any of the other children from school during those two years. There are few standout moments during those ages of 3 and 4, but for the most part I remember more about the educational process at home. When I was a child the newspaper was delivered in the afternoon. I would sit in Dad's lap while he read the articles of the day. I was more interested in the photos and advertisements, but he had the patience to answer my questions. I remember Mom reading me stories and helping me write simple words. We played card games and board games where we learned to count and identify colors and shapes. We had those little alphabet magnets on the fridge. But most of all I remember that questions were encouraged, and family time was precious.

So, my friends I wish you luck with your nagivation. And if you'd like some interesting reading, check out "As the World Learns" in the Feb/Mar issue of Edutopia.

Tough Little Girl

Many of my students are kind of like toasted marshmallows. They have this hard, singed exterior because life has not been their best friend. But at the same time they're human with feelings that are easily bruised. If they weren't high school would not be the dramatic trial that it is. I've often said that I prefer older kids because they understand the nuances of my personality. But that doesn't always mean they read between the lines very well.

I have had this one particular student for three years now. She's done an amazing amount of work. When I first met here, her transcript was blank. But just the other night during spring conferences I had to tell her and her mother that she's looking at being 1.5 credits short of graduating in June. She's ordered her gown and her announcements. And I saw something I hadn't in three years. I saw that tough little girl sometimes moody, usually quick to laugh, generous with her friends, a staunch ally...I saw that little girl cry.

Read, Think, Speak and Write

"Let us dare to read, think, speak and write." John Adams, 1765

I jotted down this quotation a couple weeks ago when I was at the post office. I really do believe there's a reason for doing the things we do, and today the reason I jotted it down hit me. On Monday we start the final quarter of the school year. It's always a crazy, hectic, chaotic time. Lots of things are going on and the we're all ready for summer R and R. So, with all that stuff, why did I decide it would be a good idea to teach "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"? Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful book and it covers a lot of material in less than three hundred pages. The first few chapters are going to be difficult. The prep time for the language and historical morality has to be discussed very thoroughly. I know that we wouldn't have been ready for this last fall, so the timing is good even though I'm feeling a little anxious.

Read, think, speak, write. Today I realized that that is my educational philosophy. That's the underlying goal for everything I have my students do. What a realization after 12 years in education.

Taking Charge Pt 2: Job Fair

Job Fair. For those of you who have survived the experience the words elicit a variety of feelings. My luck with job fairs prior to today's experience is about 33%. I never feel as if I'm well prepared going into that arena. There's a whole check list I go through:

Do I look professional?
Do I have my credentials: teaching license, resume, letters of recommendation?
Can I remember my name and what I do? (yes, this is true!)

It sounds strange, I know. But oodles of people (many of whom want social studies jobs) are packed into a cavernous convention hall with the same goal makes one stop and wonder: What do I have to do to stand out? It's freaky. And this time around I was a veteran of this whole process. After all, I found my current position at this very same venue three years ago and it's been step in the direction I want to go.

Today's job fair was, as usual, overwhelming. I wonder how fruitful passing out resumes other credentials will be this time around. And dealing with the sticky question about why I want to relocate...well, did "the district is reorganizing" answer that adequately? Did I sound like a flake? Or worse, someone who was being fired? See, anxiety. I really don't need this kind of stress!