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Do Politics Belong in the Classroom?

I read the Teaching Tolerance blog voraciously. I love everything they publish there, not because I’ve been published there myself, but because it helps me immensely in my classroom. I strive to educate my students not only with the curriculum… Read more ›

September 10, 2012
Ashley
Education
classroom, Education, politics, students

Apollo 13 and Our Educational System

In 1995, I sat in a movie theater with my parents and my brother as I watched the drama of the Apollo 13 mission unfold on screen. Granted, this was the movie version of the events – starring Tom Hanks,… Read more ›

September 9, 2012
Ashley
Education
apollo 13, art, engineers, nasa, space, STEM

Call for Submissions: Feminist Odyssey Blog Carnival Fourth Edition

Our last blog carnival about Feminism and Education is over, so now it’s time to submit to the next edition! Danielle at from two to one is hosting this month’s carnival, and the theme will be Faith and Feminism. The… Read more ›

September 6, 2012
Ashley
Activism, Writing
blog carnival, faith, faith and feminism, feminism, feminist odyssey, feminist odyssey blog carnival

Back-To-School Exhaustion

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been experiencing a major form of writer’s block lately. I will literally sit in front of my computer some days and stare at WordPress’s “Add New Post” screen, and nothing will come to me.… Read more ›

September 2, 2012
Ashley
Education, Writing
back to school, exhaustion, year-round schooling

Feminist Odyssey Blog Carnival Third Edition: Feminism & Education

Welcome to the third edition of the Feminist Odyssey Blog Carnival! I’m excited to be hosting this month, as the topic is something close to my heart – Feminism and Education! As a teacher, this is something I think about… Read more ›

August 29, 2012
Ashley
Activism, Education
blog carnival, Education, feminism, feminist odyssey, feminist odyssey blog carnival, schools, students, teachers, teaching

I Survived Week 1!

My first full week of school is complete. I even already have an essay that is piled up, waiting to be graded. And here I am, avoiding grading the essays, which means school has OFFICIALLY started! 😀 I haven’t been… Read more ›

August 26, 2012
Ashley
Education, Writing
jewelry, published work, school, teaching, Writing

Rest in Peace, John O’Leary – A True Teacher and Poet

I was deeply saddened yesterday to learn of the passing of my very first undergrad English professer, John O’Leary. He was with his son on a boat when it capsized. His son made it back, but he did not. John… Read more ›

August 19, 2012
Ashley
Education, Writing
creative writing, death, john o'leary, poetry, undergrad, Writing

Finishing the Kitchen!

I am busy, busy, busy. Between writing for Care2 and trying to get some other writing done for a few other sites, I have just about used up all of my free time outside of school this week. Oh yea,… Read more ›

August 18, 2012
Ashley
Marriage & Family
Cooking, homeownership, house, kitchen, relationships

I Earn My Summers Off

It’s the first day back at school today. Two days of teacher institute, then a full week of classes right off the bat. Except, according to friends and family who work year-round, I’m not supposed to talk about this. Well,… Read more ›

August 16, 2012
Ashley
Education
breaks, days off, Education, summer vacation, teaching, vacation

I’m Not Judging You

I’ve been musing a bit about last names recently, probably because I’m gearing up for another school year where I will be referred to solely as my last name for the next nine months. I actually enjoy this. It allows… Read more ›

August 15, 2012
Ashley
Activism, Marriage & Family
last name, marriage, name change, relationships

Why Did I Keep My Last Name If I Don’t Use It?

Many people who learn that I kept my last name when I got married need a reason. They often ask why I made that decision or look at me with confusion. Some assume that I kept it because I am… Read more ›

August 14, 2012
Ashley
Activism, Marriage & Family
last name, marriage, name change, relationships

Teaching Tolerance: After Tragedy, Rally Students for Change

I’m on the Teaching Tolerance blog today, talking about what you can say to your students after a tragedy strikes. Unfortunately, in my six short years of teaching, this is already becoming something I need to think about every year.… Read more ›

August 10, 2012
Ashley
Education
Education, published work, shooting, teaching feminism, teaching tolerance, tragedy, violence

Musings of a Dog Lover

It is (finally) a relatively cool, cloudy day in Chicagoland. I’m spending some quality time with my coffee, a book, and Penny on the couch this morning and it has me a bit pensive. I’m thinking about dogs today, and… Read more ›

August 9, 2012
Ashley
Marriage & Family
dog, dogs, family, love, relationships

What Matters is How I Decide to See Every Day

This is my last full week of summer break. My school packet has arrived in my mailbox. I know what I’m teaching next year. (Two sections of English 2 Honors means double the quest papers! Yay! And three sections of… Read more ›

August 7, 2012
Ashley
Education
back to school, Education, students, teachers, teaching, teaching feminism

Slaying Dragons

When I saw this cartoon on The New Yorker‘s Tumblr page, I had to laugh. Like many people (I imagine. Maybe this is just me.), most of the times I come across a New Yorker cartoon, my first reaction is to think, Wow,… Read more ›

August 6, 2012
Ashley
Activism, Marriage & Family
cartoon, cleaning, housework, marriage, new yorker, relationships

When it Comes to Buying a House, Size Matters

Size was a huge consideration for us when we were looking for a house. Unsure if we would ever want to have children, we wanted to be sure that whatever house we chose was the right size for us. We… Read more ›

August 3, 2012
Ashley
Marriage & Family
home, homeownership, houses

Role/Reboot: You Can Clean the House and Still Be a Feminist

I’m over at Role/Reboot today, talking about a clean house and feminism: I’d pick fights with [my husband] when I got really frustrated. After I’d balled my last sock, I’d find something that wasn’t done and I’d whine and complain… Read more ›

August 2, 2012
Ashley
Activism, Marriage & Family, Writing
feminism, feminist wife, gender roles, marriage, relationships, role/reboot

Monthly Review: July 2012

It’s time for July’s Monthly Review! Here’s where I share my favorite pieces I’ve written, my favorites from the internets, and where you can promote your own! Enjoy! Top 5 From Care2 Causes These are my top 5 favorite articles… Read more ›

July 31, 2012
Ashley
Activism, Writing
blogging, monthly review, Writing

Firsts, Freedom, and Fun: A Boston Vacation

I know you all are dying to hear about my recent Great American Train Adventure and vacation to the great city of Boston, and I don’t like to disappoint my readers, so here is a roundup of the best Boston had… Read more ›

July 30, 2012
Ashley
Marriage & Family
amtrak, boston, history, relationships, salem, train, vacation, witch trials

Submit to the Feminist Odyssey Blog Carnival: Third Edition

As many of you may know, I’ve started a series over at Care2.com about Teaching Feminism. The topic has interested me pretty much since I started blogging, and for a long time before that. I do try to incorporate a… Read more ›

July 28, 2012
Ashley
Activism, Education, Writing
blog carnival, Education, feminism and education, feminist odyssey, feminist odyssey blog carnival, teaching feminism
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