Author Archives

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Moments and Memories

I can’t stop thinking today about my friend Jan, who died nearly seven years ago.

Breast cancer.

She taught music at my school and lived two houses down the street from me. We shared walks, meals, and moments.

A teacher always, she started each class with “ponder this.” Why do we climb mountains? Can there be justice? What is joy? She’d ask her students to think and respond. And if their discussions took longer than she’d planned, fine.

Jan began the first choir at our school, sharing her beautiful voice with all of us and inspiring her students to share theirs. But she was so much more than her voice. Today I ponder how far our influence can travel and the impact it can have.

I hope she knew how much she was loved.

 
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Have I Changed?

Paul Bogush talks about how his early networking changed him as a person and subsequently changed him as a teacher. He references a terrific post by James Marshall Crotty, who shares his opinion on the purpose of college in preparing for the future.

I was thinking about both of these topics during a visit to Highland School in Warrenton, VA yesterday, a preliminary visit for a possible position. Questions posed by faculty caused me to reflect upon my own version of the question of change. How have I changed since I began learning and sharing online? How has this changed my teaching? And how does that affect my relationship with students as learners?

Like Paul, I’ve been listening to and connecting with folks for quite a while. These voices and experiences have helped shape me as I listen, read, and watch their work.

I wasn’t as lucky as Crotty who describes his college experience as a chance to “enjoy the life of the mind, to read and discuss the great books of world civilization, to ask deep questions, to fearlessly tackle any subject, to ruthlessly ponder who one is and from where one originated.”  For whatever reason, my parents and teachers weren’t able to instill in me a love or passion for much of anything. That came later, when as an adult I realized I do love to learn, and I can tackle subjects seemingly out of my reach.

More than anything, then, I want that for my students. And I am convinced it happens by forging strong  relationships, giving students much opportunity for choice and leadership, and creating authentic learning experiences.

Though I am thinking about working again as someone who supports technology use in the classroom, the joy in the work comes from the relationships with both teachers and students. We have powerful tools at our disposal to connect and learn from one another, but alone they mean nothing.

 

 

 
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Reflecting on #NPM

I really thought I might make it, writing a poem a day for National Poetry Month. But since I’ve now missed a day, I think it’s time to end this experiment.
This was a stretch for me. My writing has been limited to feature and news stories for our local paper, academic writing, and blog posts–both personal and professional. When I opened my writing studio in January, my intent was to push myself to explore creative writing, which I loved as a child. Even as a reporter, I tried to focus on telling stories rather than covering budget hearings. One of my favorite assignments turned out to be spending the summer with homeless alcoholics in Fredericksburg. The paper allowed a three-day, front page series of stories.

Opening the studio has allowed me to dream big dreams. Write poetry? Sure. Start a novel? Why not? Work with other writers? Of course.

What I hope to do now is choose some of the poetry that has potential and toss the rest. Wendy Bishop says this: “Revision takes you from self to society, from the writer’s concerns to the readers’ concerns.”

The real work begins.


#npm

 
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In the Grocery Store, Shopping for Dinner

I thought I saw you today between the lettuce and the cucumbers
You paused, confused, looking perhaps for someone in the bread aisle
Your blue eyes, the wrinkles under the bushy, gray brows
I pushed the cart to the side, letting the woman shopping for apples move on
No, it wasn’t you
But my breath stopped for a moment, while memories sped by
And I blinked over and over
Wondering why I wanted to cry.

 

#npm

 
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The Dog

Hot breath on my feet
Tufts of golden hair fill the house
His whines break my heart

#npm
prompt: your pet

 
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An Afternoon

Rain today.

Needed, but dismal

Even the cat backs away from the open door.
The dog falls asleep to the rhythmic sound on the roof.

You gather your thoughts and remember what she said.

I am fine. Just fine.
The rain continues to fill your head with questions,
Knowing she is not.
#npm prompt: rain
 
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Waiting

The fringe tree in the backyard surprises us each April
delicate blossoms begin to peek from green leaves
white tears arrive, a gift after a long, cold winter
we hold our breath, not knowing for sure, but hoping
and then the petals burst out, swaying in the breeze
shaking glorious feathers here and there
Like wishes and dreams, we hold onto the promise

#npm writing prompt: a tree

 
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The Art of War

A found poem…

from this source

Innovation, peace
Learning to decrease suffering, these nine-year-olds
Charismatic teacher teaches compassion
A Pentagon invitation
Inspired by Gandhian principles, the game aims to get players to build harmony while accepting the reality of violence
If somebody steals your lunchbox, you don’t go up and punch him in the face to get it back — you want to reason with them
Odd partnership, but may save us all.

 

#npm

 
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In Pain

I share my friend’s sorrow tonight.
Your vitriol stings her
Your poison wounds her
Your hate strangles her
Her children are our children
We eat, breathe, pray, love, and bleed. All.

#npm