education
Those Who Can't Teach: Guest Post by Tamara Lunardo
Tamara Lunardo is my guest blogger today. Where I sometimes get mired in the details, Tarama is a big picture kind of girl. Tamara’s writing is as fresh, edgy and vibrant as she is. Gentle and compassionate, Tamara (pronounced Ta-MAH-ra) is a wonderful read. Note: Just don’t mispronounce her name or call her Tammy or she’ll punch you in the throat. Here is her teacher memory….
Yo tengo el gato los pantelones! Guest Post by Tyler Tarver
I am so lucky to have Tyler Tarver as a guest blogger today. Tyler’s awesome blog is called “chaos meets capitalization.” I wish I thought of that, but that would imply my brain would work like Tyler’s and Tyler’s brain does not work like mine. In fact, Tyler Tarver’s brain does not work like anyone else’s brain. Which might be why I like him so much. He thinks in metaphors. And colors. And he raps. And he teaches. And he is a published author….
The Day Monsieur Said Non
In 11th grade, I needed three stellar recommendations that I could send off with my college applications. I felt confident that I would receive solid letters from two of my former English teachers, but then I was kinda stuck. I decided to ask my French teacher. He said no….
Buzz Champion: Guest Post by Kelly K.
My guest blogger today is Kelly K. She has, like, a zillion blogs. Just kidding. Sort of. But seriously, she writes a lot. In real life, Kelly K. has been beyond helpful to me. When I had my meltdown this past summer, Kelly K. was there. She is an amazing “fryber” (my made-up word for a cyber friend) and a fearless writer who is devoted to expressing herself in as many ways as possible. Check out her story about a favorite math teacher. …
Ode to Werner Barth: Guest Post by Larry Hehn
Larry Hehn is my special guest blogger today. He is the brains behind Christian in the Rough, and I feel honored to be the Jewish girl he lets hang around the joint. Larry encourages people to find fun in the middle of dysfunction, action at the end of distraction, and grace at the end of disgrace. Every time Larry posts something I learn something new. I really wish I knew him in real life….
Mrs. Clayton #twits
I am excited to have Kelliefish13 as a guest blogger today. She is at my place talking about Mrs. Clayton, her favourite (not to be confused with favorite) teacher. Kelliefish is an avid traveler. In fact, she went to Italy this summer and documented her many adventures and took many beautiful photos. …
The Day Flannery O'Connor Screwed Me
Someone really smart once said, “Kids seldom misquote; in fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn’t have said.” That person might actually have been sitting in my classroom the day I taught Flannery O’Connor’s short story “A Good Man is Hard to Find” to a bunch of 11th graders….
Substitute Preacher by Zach Sparer #twits
Today’s guest blogger is Zach Sparer. I first met Zach in 1999 as a student in my 11th grade English class. He was in 5th period. I remember this because 5th period was rough for me. I was pregnant with Monkey, and I was tired. Really tired. In fact, I usually hurled right before 5th period….
L'il Miss Attitude
Every year, I study my new class rosters and practice saying the names aloud so I don’t sound like a total dork on the first day. One year, I was feeling pretty good until I came to one particular name. I didn’t know what to do with it. And I certainly didn’t expect the interaction that followed….
The Power of a Swift Kick #twits
I took my daughter to school one morning last spring. Like most middle school girls, she’s convinced my mission in life is to embarrass her, and I take my work seriously. It’s not enough that I walked through the school doors pronouncing that Miley Cyrus looks like a two-bit hooker on Discount Day in one of her videos. No. I even talked to my daughter’s classmates. . . ….