This article was written in April of 2017. Another student is dead. In San Bernardino, CA, the parents of Jonathan Martinez are still grieving the loss of their child, the most recent victim of school shootings. Other parents and school counselors will have explained to a special needs classroom why their teacher, Karen Smith, will … Continue reading Surveillance is Not Security
College Tours: As Good As It Gets
There are a million and one things I could (and will, in an upcoming series) say about college tours. Let me start with this simple truth: What you see on your college tour is likely as good as it gets. Let me say first --no, I don't think that most colleges are deliberately and routinely … Continue reading College Tours: As Good As It Gets
How (Not) to Make an Impression
English 112 was supposed to be an easy A for me. I’ve tutored students through English 112, for goodness sakes. Babies. Children. Humans half my age and with none of my experience. So, naturally, English 112 has been kicking my wordcrafting booty in the best sort of way. I might even share my “impeccably researched” … Continue reading How (Not) to Make an Impression
The L.M.Montgomery Method of Friend Sorting
Everyone needs a wonderful variety of friends. Let L.M. Montgomery help you. Start by asking, "Anne or Emily?" Sort friends according to the responses to ensure that you have an adequate collection. "Hunh?" Okay, so you're going to need to elaborate. "Anne of Green Gables or Emily of New Moon?" "Hunh?" Alright, here's a friend … Continue reading The L.M.Montgomery Method of Friend Sorting
What would help me keep my big mouth shut?
The subtitle for my blog -- as well as much of my writing -- is inspired by the lyrics of Birds, by The Collection . Their music is inspiring, and life-affirming, and has gone a long way to restore things like my love for music, my faith, and my will to live. You should really go … Continue reading What would help me keep my big mouth shut?
Nassar, Denhollander, and the Rest of the Story
"And that's . . . the REST of the story . . . " Remember Paul Harvey? He would tell us some remarkable story, and then he would tell us the REST of the story. The part we didn't know. The part that actually mattered most. I had a rest-of-the-story moment last week. Like everyone, … Continue reading Nassar, Denhollander, and the Rest of the Story
Custodians of Knowledge
This is an old post about one of my very favorite lesson plans that I used during my stint as a homeschool enrichment tutor. It's about Shakespeare and hip hop. Somewhere along the line, I was introduced to a TEDTalk in which Shakespeare is compared to hip hop. (I wish I could remember which brilliant … Continue reading Custodians of Knowledge
I’ll Write, Already
I've realized I will never be the kind of writer that I really want to be (Anne Lamott and Madeleine L'Engle are already their own persons, and I can't be them, sadly) but I still have all of these words burning a hole in my soul, so I'll just start (keep) writing, anyway. Also, people … Continue reading I’ll Write, Already
