Last Monday we had an odd half day of school, bringing my first year of teaching to a close. The morning was spent cleaning out our auxiliary bookroom, dealing with dust bunnies the size of rats and tossing paraphernalia or outdated text books, finding we had plenty of space after all. The few students who […]
A week from today, a small number of Maryland residents is expected to vote in the primaries as we head towards November’s general election. Apparently, the date was moved from September to June and few seem to remember this or care, focused as they are on summer. However, for me, this is huge because I […]
The school year has six five and a half days left to it. Yesterday, the actual teaching drew to a close so next week, I am either reviewing material for the final or proctoring the final itself. We’re in the year end rush as we complete grading, begin the end-of-year checklist process, and the classroom […]
Productive week despite constant interruptions. I set Monday aside to take care of every household, personal and related project that needed time and attention. Thought I’d blow through it all and have the afternoon to write.Tuesday morning, I finished the list. Admittedly, phone calls take time and you don’t want to do a lot of […]
I used to remind talent working for me that deadline meant once the line has been crossed; the work is dead and useless to me. Blow a deadline and often I had to resort to others to get the job done. While my books may never have been the hot, sexy bestsellers, DC’s management knew […]
I keep waiting for the pressure to drop away. But, even though the number of teaching days dwindles, there remain lessons to plan, papers to grade, and end of the year paperwork to prepare. Additionally, it appears there is direct proportion of the temperature to the students’ behavior. Since the seniors left, the underclassmen have […]
Minutes ago, I-Con finally posted their schedule. I’m not on every panel that would be fun to do and I’m opposite people I want to see or hear but I’ll live. At least I’m not booked opposite myself as in past years.If you haven’t been, come, it’s fun. If you’re attending, make sure you say […]
Every now and then something unexpected comes along and it gives you a new appreciation for the life you lead. In this case, it was a reminder of fortunate we are that a generation of men and women rose to the call and defended us and our allies with a clear cut mandate to make […]
Our seniors have taken their finals and today was their last day as students at Owings Mills High School. I have two repeating 9th Grade English and seven in my 11th Grade class. I have watched them these last few weeks, the apathy towards their work growing as the temperature rose, replaced this week with […]