On my summers off from school I find myself in different relaxing places…the beach, or hiking through some forest, or visiting family. In the midst of my “downtime” I am struck with how exhausted I truly am from the previous school year. The rejuvenation is much needed, in fact, usually it takes a couple of … Continue reading Lifelong Learners
Summer Flashback
My lazy day at the pool was interrupted by laughter. I opened my eyes to see a brother and sister with a friend or two playing in the water. They were somewhere between 6 and 10, and so full of energy that only a day of pool play would quench it. And play they did. … Continue reading Summer Flashback
A Shot in the Arm
Moving a classroom is a lot like moving a house. There are boxes and boxes of stuff and you always wonder where it all came from. I cringe at the amount of money I have spent on teaching supplies. How did I get so much? I regularly purge and I still have half a garage … Continue reading A Shot in the Arm
Flesh and Blood
After the latest horrific events in Orlando, it is obvious that there is evil in the world and it appears to be growing. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see it. We all continue to be taken back with each attack, even though we knew after the last one there were likely to be … Continue reading Flesh and Blood
Dance of the Fireflies
If you have never been on the Anna Ruby Falls evening Foxfire hike I would highly recommend it. Six of us went last night and it was spectacular. I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure I really live in such a beautiful place…surrounded by so much nature that it is even gorgeous in … Continue reading Dance of the Fireflies
Us vs. Them
I think in education we have divided ourselves into two groups. Us vs. Them. Us being the teachers and Them being everyone else including politicians and all levels of administration. Each group has their own point of view. Each group is determined that theirs is the correct way to look at things. In a way, … Continue reading Us vs. Them
A Good Point
As a writer, I love to connect with my readers. I love to hear your thoughts and have conversations about how my words impact you. I like it when you share these things with me, and give me additional ideas to ponder. My latest series on education, and my resignation from it, has sparked quite … Continue reading A Good Point
The Divorce is Final
Careers are like marriages, and after 20 years of pouring my heart and soul into this relationship, it is over. Just like that. Education has abandoned me, and my love has grown cold. I have to admit I saw it coming. I wanted to ignore all the signs, but trouble has been brewing for a … Continue reading The Divorce is Final
A Nature Adventure
The day was fading fast. A slight breeze had the trees a bit restless. The heat of the afternoon morphed into cool kisses on my cheeks. An invitation to me. Perfect for an evening stroll by the river, and so Bill and I headed out to capture the last of the light. As we were … Continue reading A Nature Adventure
Grassroots
I think teachers are so bogged down in the day to day responsibilities of educating our children that we have missed an important point. A vital reality. Maybe it is the sheer number of tasks on our plate which seem to be ever increasing, or maybe we are just unaware…either way the truth is that … Continue reading Grassroots
Michelle's Mosaic 