teaching – Page 28 – Soapbox: The Way I see Things

Do You Remember Me? National Poetry Month, Day 5

Do You Remember Me? You… You, with that faded bonnet, The microscopic handwriting, The comics you drew me, The moldy mess we excavated from your desk, The orange sweatshirt you always wore, The April Fool’s joke you played on the class, How you didn’t speak until February, How your grandma was your rock, How youContinue reading “Do You Remember Me? National Poetry Month, Day 5”

Why I write – Poetry month day 4

Why I Write There is a certain Satisfaction That comes with cooking a good meal. It’s the love stirred in The effort of smelling, tasting, listening, editing Until it seems just right And the hungry ones take it in And where there was once noise There is the quiet Of grateful and appreciative chewing. AndContinue reading “Why I write – Poetry month day 4”

Priorities (National Poetry Month Day 3)

Priorities Sometimes when I shower, I (full of distractions) grip the soap Too tightly, and It pops right out of my hand. I used to Reach for it blindly, Block it with my elbow, Slow it down with my knee, All to keep it from Hitting the shower floor; A valiant effort That many timesContinue reading “Priorities (National Poetry Month Day 3)”

Poetry Month – Entry 2

The Poem I Didn’t Write Was the one about Our favorite tree, The one out front that you can’t get your arms around. The one my boys and I picnic under On lazy summer days while we Watch the drivers Pass life by The tree that grants quiet strength, Steadfast devotion (not unlike myContinue reading “Poetry Month – Entry 2”

Poetry month: poem-a-day challenge

Being that it’s April, I’ve challenged my writers to write a poem for every day of April. In the spirit of doing what I ask my students to do, I’m jumping in. Here’s day 1. April brings showers: Of rain, of spring promise, of words Open up-let it pour.

Exhibit B

You know you’re a teacher of gifted kids when you put out a test question that reads: “Robert goes to school at 7:35 and it takes him 45 minutes to get ready. What time should he get up?” and here’s the answer you get:

All in a Day’s Work

I always promise myself I won’t do it. I promise myself I won’t get behind on grading. I promise myself I won’t collect more work than I can reasonably grade. But when you see 37 different students for math alone, and you wait even a day or two to grade their papers, this is howContinue reading “All in a Day’s Work”

In Memoriam

Today is 27 years since the Challenger explosion. I was in eighth grade science class. Our teacher turned on the TV so we could all watch the historic liftoff. Yes, we were the jaded junior high kids, but we all felt a sense of pride as we watched the ignition, watched the rocket as itContinue reading “In Memoriam”

Rewards

So after being at work early with students, spending all six hours after school grading papers, making dinner, grading papers, taking care of my boys, and grading more papers, I’ve earned it. Bedtime before 10. I know you’re jealous. Try not to hold it against me.

What’s to Love?

So why is it, exactly, that I have taught for almost 18 years now without fear of burnout? I consider this week, a week so crazy I think it took me until Thursday before I had a real planning time longer than 15 minutes. A week so nuts that I was up every night lateContinue reading “What’s to Love?”