Dear Students, When you came into class sad about your games, trips, matches, activities being cancelled, I could relate. And I did. I told you that, my senior year, 9/11 happened, and it forever changed the way the world functioned.… Read more ›
Last night, students at Joliet Central – the high school where I work – held the first annual Showcase for Peace: Joliet students creatively expressing their stance on gun violence. We had students submit poetry, essays, stories, songs, artwork, and… Read more ›
Most of you all have been around here for a while, so you already know about my side business and venture to provide a yearly, $1,000 scholarship for a girl in need at the school where I teach. But I… Read more ›
I am a woman and I study and teach literature. Until relatively recently in my life, this has seemed a pretty normal, womanly thing to do. Not only am I a teacher – a typically female profession – but I… Read more ›
Last week, as I was getting my hair cut, the stylist next to me was cutting the hair of a middle-aged man and was saying, “I don’t know, though. We have to listen to these kids. It seems like they’re… Read more ›
Ever since the Parkland shooting, I have been feeling progressively worse. I’m not really sure how to describe it, but it started with a feeling like someone was standing on my chest. Then, it was almost like a balloon had… Read more ›
I am a teacher. So is my husband. It probably won’t surprise you that, between the two of us, we’ve been through three actual lockdowns. Not drills. Actual, bonafide, real-life, doors-locked, no-one-knows-what-is-going-on, saying-goodbyes-just-in-case lockdowns. One for Tim at his previous school.… Read more ›
I’m over at Teaching Tolerance talking about ways teachers can talk about the recent sexual harassment allegations saturating the media: If the conversation about sexual harassment and assault doesn’t come up organically, there are a number of ways to incorporate… Read more ›
I have a student who declines to stand for the Pledge of Allegience. She takes issue with the phrase “with liberty and justice for all,” because it is not “for all” in her view. I asked her about it once.… Read more ›
I am a teacher. It has taken a long time for me to be able to come to terms with that. It was always something I knew I was good at, but it wasn’t always Plan A. Plan A was… Read more ›
Here’s a little levity for your Wednesday evening. My students started today by taking notes on symbolism. I’m sure they all already knew what symbolism is, but repetition is always good. Me: Can anyone give me a real-life example of… Read more ›
Yet again, it’s been a while since I’ve been on this little site of mine. Eventually, I’ll get around to explaining all of the reasons why I’ve been absent – and there are a few – but let’s start with… Read more ›
Last year, our school was slated to host the Conference speech tournament. It was the head coach’s first year in the position, and I was becoming known at our school for being insanely organized and really good at running tournaments.… Read more ›
I’m over at the Teaching Tolerance blog today helping to publicize my magazine article, talking about privilege: Once they had the language to talk about privilege, I decided to take it a step further. I asked them what other kinds… Read more ›
I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave… Read more ›
“Miss. You really need to lay off on all of these essays. Writing is hard!” Yes, a student actually said this to me the other day, and before we respond to the whining of this generation and how, when we… Read more ›
Ever year, like clockwork, the end of September hits. Its cool breezes and shorter days are welcomed after a hot, long summer like a literal breath of fresh air. Feeling exhausted after a long day spent teaching, disciplining, grading, mothering,… Read more ›
Being a teacher isn’t easy. All of the early mornings, the outside-of-school prep work, the grading, the stressful meetings, the extracurricular practices and group meetings, plus the day-to-day dealing with kids can all take a toll. Then, if you’re me,… Read more ›
It was the first day back at school today. Usually, I’m an exhausted mess by the end of the first day back. Getting up at 5:30 after three months of sleeping until whenever I want is difficult to say the… Read more ›
Today, I am responding to the #femfest day two questions at fromtwotoone.com. The questions are as follows: What is at stake in this discussion? Why is feminism important to you? Are you thinking about your children or your sisters or… Read more ›