I didn't take any classes prior to little Bear's arrival, so I did just about everything the nurses told me to while I enjoyed my stay at the hospital. There is no pun in that sentence...only irony. About forty-five minutes after giving birth, they handed the little guy to me and said, "it is time for you to feed him." Now, I am not one for late-night snacking, so I was a little surprised Continue Reading
The final rose: a thorny subject
Every Monday morning brings a weekend hangover and imminent disappointment; especially during the summer. Most people spend their long summer days at the pool, lake, or beach soaking up the sunshine and enjoying some much needed time with friends and family. There is not a whole lot better than a summer weekend, and not many things more depressing than walking straight back to your office on Continue Reading
Queen Bey and Miley: Class on Class on Class.
Look, Beyonce is a hot mama: literally and figuratively. I have been a fan of Beyonce since the original Destiny's Child: you know, the one with Beyonce, Kelly, and....those other two girls. Beyonce has earned the right to be called "Queen Bey," with her hypnotizing voice and bootylicious bod. I am pretty sure I put Beyonce in a slide while presenting on Aristotle's book of Rhetoric. It was a Continue Reading
Don’t Flip…flip (TTT)
When I arrived at Martin Luther King Junior High School in the fall of 2010, there seemed to be a hamster wheel churning in my stomach. I could not wait to get inside the classroom. I had been reading about pedagogy, and even directed a small group of students during the summer at a literacy camp. I had read all that I needed in order to succeed. I remember thinking, "I've got Continue Reading
A Shorts Story
You may have seen this article about a Quebec teen protesting the dress code.Her argument for her impertinence: "Don’t humiliate her because she is wearing shorts. It’s hot outside. Instead of shaming girls for their bodies, teach boys that girls are not sexual objects."I teach fourteen and fifteen year old boys. I also teach fourteen and fifteen year old girls. I can say with certainty that Continue Reading
Five on Friday: Things that are lovely
I am currently tinkering with a new project: my first attempt at writing a novel. It is more for practice really, but it is something I am very excited about. Most Fridays from here forward will be pretty scant on the blog as I dedicate my writing hour to working on this particular project. Stay tuned for updates. For now, here is the five on Friday!In light of the Continue Reading
Stiviano Suggests Sterling is not a Secretariat (and other such alliterative statements)
Sitting in the small exceptional education closet, talking with a behavior specialist, I could have never anticipated the epiphany I would soon have about my own naivety."Does he curse in your classroom?""Well, not at me, but I have certainly heard him curse inside of my classroom. Although, that is the least of my worries."The behavior specialist stopped and stared with a puzzled look on Continue Reading
Five on Friday: Heroes and Health
I've got to be honest, after about eight hours of active labor, I watched as the anesthesiologist walked into the labor and delivery room on February 28 at 11:45 p.m. and I heralded him as a hero.This man went to school for a number of years and learned how to make a delightful drug cocktail most people call the "epidural." Laboring women call it many things, "heaven-sent," or the "thank God." I Continue Reading
Our players got a Pruitt…
Bennett is doomed if he doesn't like football.Both his daddy and I are fanatics when it comes to pigskin. When we first started dating, we had a trip planned to the beach over Labor Day weekend. Our first order of business? Drive down a day early to ensure we could catch the first Thursday night game of the season. Second? Find a sports bar that played said game...which Continue Reading