teaching
Gratitude To The Man Who Taught Me To Embrace Chaos
It was my third week at Metairie Park Country Day School, and I could barely distinguish the administration building from the science…
Sure, I’ll Write You a Recommendation
In 11th grade, I needed three stellar recommendations that I could send off with my college applications. I felt confident that I…
We're #1… And I Feel Guilty
Newsweek recently posted its annual “500 Best High Schools” report followed by Buffalo Business First’s report of the best and worst schools in New York State. The district in which I live came in 1st place. And even though I can now wear a t-shirt that proudly proclaims that my child attends the #1 public school district in New York State, there’s something that is making it impossible for me to ride get on my magical unicorn and fly away….
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….
Spot Check
I’m kicking off Wednesday #TWITS: a fancy-schmancy acronym for Teachers Whom I Think Scored / Teachers Whom I think Sucked. It only took me six bajillion hours to think up that one. So here is my middle school memory about one very specific moment. Obviously, I have changed the teacher’s name….
A Twit Learns To Tweet
Way back on Monday, April 25, 2011 at precisely 8:07 AM, I emailed Clay Morgan from EduClaytion.com. He and I had established an “easy, breezy, beautiful” rapport; we’d talked on the phone a few times, and for a while, we were on the same cyber-page. But suddenly, Clay had a Twitter Icon on his page. And I didn’t….
Monkey is Blogging
Last June, in an effort to capitalize on Monkey’s innate love for all things technological, I suggested that he start a blog. After all, last May my own blog was in its infancy, and I figured we could sit side-by-side and write together. It was a romantic notion. And while last year, he wanted his blog to be secret, this year, he wants readers….
In Praise of the Pencil
A few weeks back, Monkey came home in a tizzy. “I’m out of pencils again,” he announced. Nonplussed, I told him there were under three weeks of school left and that I was pretty sure he could make-do with his nubs until June 20. He started at me with contempt. “Are you serious?” he questioned. “I have exams! I need pencils! Ticonderogas. Now!”…
Locked and Partially Loaded for Fall 2011
I may be delusional, but (I think) most of my former students will tell you that I give off the vibe that I find them endlessly fascinating. Which, by the way, is true. They will probably tell you that I give them solid feedback and that I am willing to help them. Day or night. The reality is, I am good to them as long as they do not heckle me….