I’ve been rereading Uncommon Core in preparation for planning out my next book, and I have to tell you, it’s giving me the feels. I’ve cried through every chapter, remembering the connection I had with my students and the lessons we learned from each other. In some ways, it’s a hard book to market becauseContinue reading “A book for everyone”
Category Archives: Letters I Need to Write
What if…
Some thoughts to consider for the new year. What if we stopped expecting schools to protect our children from the world and started teaching our children to be better for the world? What if we stopped removing obstacles from our children’s paths and let them experience the strength that comes from overcoming them? What ifContinue reading “What if…”
Truth and Consequence
If, like me, you are a sexual assault survivor, you are struggling right now. Dr. Ford’s testimony was more than one woman’s story; it was a testament to what so many women have experienced and hidden for most of their lives. I have similar stories in my life—so many traumatic stories that when the movementContinue reading “Truth and Consequence”
Choose to be Teachers and Students
My daughter and son-in-law asked me to speak at their wedding. I was honored but also hesitant–what could I, of all people in their lives, say about marriage? The only thing I know without a doubt. With their permission, here’s my speech: As we gather to celebrate your journey together, I want to share withContinue reading “Choose to be Teachers and Students”
Guest Blogger: Letter to President-elect Trump
For their Critical Thinking final, my students had to write a letter to President-elect Trump or to their generation. CJ’s Letter to President-elect Trump is insightful and unbiased (in my biased opinion?). He eloquently expresses what is at the heart of our fears and hopes with Trump’s election. I think the most beautiful part of thisContinue reading “Guest Blogger: Letter to President-elect Trump”
Guest Blogger: Letter to Millennials
As a college writing teacher, I have the pleasure of helping my students discover their writing voice and their passions in life. Every once and a while I will read an essay that I need to post on my blog because it lines up with my goals, which is to help people find their own healthyContinue reading “Guest Blogger: Letter to Millennials”
The Problem with Choice
I know too many people who are not educators (and some who are) that are in favor of the choice movement in education. The biggest reason people want choice is to improve the education for their own children and then create competition so that other schools will be forced to improve or shut down. Unfortunately,Continue reading “The Problem with Choice”
Friday Writing Challenge: A Favorite Movie
Inside Out I know. This is a Wednesday, but when I started writing about Inside Out last Friday, I realized this movie was a post I needed to write about, not for writing practice, but to explore why it impacted me so profoundly. When I taught American Literature, I told my students that we studyContinue reading “Friday Writing Challenge: A Favorite Movie”
Uncommon Core Book Reading: Chapter 19
On August 24, 2015, I read Chapter 19: Teach Them How to Be Happy from Uncommon Core: 25 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in a Cookie Cutter Educational System at Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth, NH. To purchase Uncommon Core, go to WordCrafts Press or Amazon. To schedule a book reading, speaking engagement, or interview contactContinue reading “Uncommon Core Book Reading: Chapter 19”
Opt-out Letter 2015
March 23, 2015 Dear New Hampshire School District, I am refusing to allow my child, Ian Hawkins, to take Smarter Balanced assessment, the Science NECAP, or any other state standardized tests. I believe that my child’s educational progress can best be measured using his daily school work and regular classroom testing. According to the U.SContinue reading “Opt-out Letter 2015”
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