Freedom of Voice

I would like to think everyday, I move closer to a better understanding of myself, my place and mission in this world. "Closer" by Mario Sanchez Nevado Some days are better than others. I know I'm here to be helpful to others, to somehow bless the people I come into contact with. I managed to do that in a small way Friday when I found a ring in the bottom of a Target bag while unloading my groceries. I had an inkling that it slipped off the cashier's hand when she was filling the bags, and my instincts were spot on. When I handed it to her, she looked so grateful, it made my heart happy. "You came all the way back here to give this to me?" she asked. "Of course," I said. She thanked me, and as I walked away, I could hear the customer she was ringing up say, "That was so nice." I actually didn't think it was particularly nice--just the decent thing to do. The store is all but 15 minutes from my house, and I was back a...

My week started well enough--I managed to make serious strides with some kids who up until now were hell-bent on on disrupting not only their education, but the learning of the entire class. As the principal sat in the back of the room, I was nervous she would think the noise level was out of control. It was loud, but it was a good loud--kids laughing and shouting out as they competed to figure out the central idea of a text, kids going back and forth with peers on what details mattered and which ones didn't. The sound of learning, music to my ears. After school, I peeked into her office to let her know that was the best day I have ever had with that particular group and how excited I was to see them eager to learn and figure things out. "You're a saint," was her reply. Then, we had a good chuckle. The rest of the week, well, that's another story. Courtesy of a 24-hour pukey flu on Tuesday-Wednesday (yes, that's the official term for what I had), I h...

I've been thinking a lot about friendly discourse--mainly if such a thing exists anymore. My friends and I seem to be capable of it, but I don't see much evidence of it on a larger scale. Instead, there seems to be an attitude of "If I believe it, it's right; if you don't, you're wrong." As I lamented the loss of civility in our civilized world, it got me thinking about what it means to be a friend. Then, about my eclectic group of friends--friends that truly span a wide range of age groups, socioeconomic status, belief systems, ethnicities, and sexual orientation. Here is one thing all of my friends have in common: they stand up for what they believe in without bashing those who don't believe the same. They stand firm but respect that others have different views.  I don't choose friends who will always agree with me, tell me what I want to hear. Instead, I choose friends who challenge me to consider different perspectives, hold my feet to ...

Last year, I wrote a letter to my students --past, present, and future. It was at a time I felt overwhelmed, wanted to throw in the towel. At the advice of a counselor who read it, I actually handed it out to my students and posted it on the bulletin board. Some hugged me after class. Some thanked me. Some wrote me letters back. And, of course, some left it right on the desk where I placed it. I don't have students of my own at the moment. My role as a professional development specialist has me working more with teachers and coaches, although I do have the pleasure of teaching model lessons and interacting with students. Sometimes the teachers are at their wits' end, feeling the same exasperation I felt when I penned that letter. Here's a letter for them: Dear Teacher, I hear you when you say you're exhausted, frustrated, ready to quit. I do. I know your bosses, parents, and students expect a lot from you. Many times, too much. They want you to be a superhuman w...