Category: Featured

the gratitude project (2025).

Eight years ago now, during Thanksgiving week, I began assigning what I lovingly call “The Gratitude Project.” Essentially, I forced my students–and myself–to reflect on the Good in our lives in the midst of all of the Bad. And it quickly became one of… Continue Reading “the gratitude project (2025).”

when numbahs don’t lie (2024-5).

Students can’t be reduced to a number. They can’t be defined by their results on a common assessment, reduced to where they fall on a state test, nor limited by their SAT/ACT scores. However, sometimes numbers don’t lie. With a towering goal of helping students fall… Continue Reading “when numbahs don’t lie (2024-5).”

our breakup letters to 2024

What started as a way to process a tough season–2020 and its Bait-and-Switch of a cousin 2021, the Break-Up Letter has become an annual mainstay in my Creative Writing I and II courses. The assignment has been the same over the last five years:… Continue Reading “our breakup letters to 2024”

the gratitude project (2024).

Seven years ago, during Thanksgiving week, I began assigning what I lovingly call “The Gratitude Project.” Essentially, I forced my students–and myself–to reflect on the Good in our lives in the midst of all of the Bad. And it quickly became one of my… Continue Reading “the gratitude project (2024).”

when numbahs don’t lie (2023-4).

Students can’t be reduced to a number. They can’t be defined by their results on a common assessment, reduced to where they fall on a state test, nor limited by their SAT/ACT scores. However, sometimes numbers don’t lie. With a towering goal of helping students fall… Continue Reading “when numbahs don’t lie (2023-4).”

why we stay.

Teachers are still leaving by the droves. Unless you’re on a media fast, you’ve heard all about it. But these aren’t newbies, 44% of whom typically quit within five years. (That’s pre-pandemic data, by the way.) No, these are seasoned teachers simply walking away… Continue Reading “why we stay.”

the collaborative novella.

In October of 2021, I read Liane Moriarty’s best-seller (now Hulu series) Nine Perfect Strangers. The story features nine individuals (strangers, in fact) whose paths intersect at an Australian wellness center. The focus of each chapter alternates among the characters. The result is a… Continue Reading “the collaborative novella.”

when numbahs don’t lie (2021-2).

Students can’t be reduced to a number. They can’t be defined by their results on a common assessment, reduced to where they fall on a state test, nor limited by their SAT/ACT scores. However, sometimes numbers don’t lie. With a towering goal of helping students fall… Continue Reading “when numbahs don’t lie (2021-2).”

the myth of the working (teacher) mom.

I beat myself up. A lot. Like a lot a lot. I know I’m not alone–especially for those of us who are juggling responsibilities at home AND at school. Whether we’re raising babies or tolerating teenagers or caring for elderly parents or working second… Continue Reading “the myth of the working (teacher) mom.”