Author | Editor | Story Coach
The cover for the second book in the REFLECTIONS series will be unveiled soon. A Laboring Hand is the story of Jesus told by Martha of Bethany. And it’s a story that’s had a profound effect on the author writing it. I’ve always teased my sister about being bossy, but Martha has taken flak from …
I have repeated seventh grade nearly a dozen times. So when I got a text while substituting in a seven grade life science class to work in a seventh grade math/engineering classroom the next day, this was my first thought. Two days of seventh grade?!? If you follow my posts, you know I prefer teaching …
Assessments. I’m not sure we had these back when I was a kid. I mean, we had them but everyone called them tests. Don’t get me wrong, I feel the new name (in use in the education system for a couple decades now) more accurately reflects the purpose of these “tests.” As an English major, …
The Great Gatsby stalks me from one high school language arts class to the next. In St. Helens, he prowls through the junior classrooms and in Scappoose, his story resounds with the freshmen. This disparity in curriculum gave me pause. After all, I’ve taught students between the ages of twelve and eighteen for many years. …
Two classes of fifteen juniors in high school read the same story and come up with completely different themes for the story. What truth about theme could this possibly prove? Read on if you haven’t already guesses the answer. (Or scroll to the end if you’re THAT person.) As an author, I think about theme. …
Recent trips into the classroom at one public school where I work has inspired a series of blog posts. In fact, it’s reminded me to be thankful I’m not a kid these days. My main job is to be a writing superhero. My alter ego works as a substitute teacher in local middle and high …
Once upon a time there was a girl who loved to play school. She didn’t care if she was the teacher or the student, she just loved school. That little girl jumps for joy every time I get a call to substitute teach. If you know me at all, you understand I have a LONG …
Most of the time, I just blow off the millions of memes I see on Facebook, especially when they’re obviously nothing more than a soapbox. For some reason, this one stabbed deeper than others. Because enforcing a dress code has nothing to do with shaming or promoting misogyny. I worked in the public education system …
School Begins: So will this argument about dress code Read More »
In a society where expectations rule decision-making processes, it’s past time to understand the difference between those that are realistic and unrealistic. We owe it to ourselves and our families to put a ban on setting unreachable standards. Beginning on March 10, a series of posts about expectations has been featured on this blog. The …
Some people have embarrassing moments. I tend to bypass those and move straight for the humiliating. As an example, imagine breaking down into tears in the middle of teaching a classroom full of teenagers. Embarrassment? I think even humiliation is a kind euphemism. The first time it happened to me was my first year as …