by Dawn | Feb 26, 2014 | Teaching
I was helping a kid with his geometry. I didn’t do too bad. I said “shit” once. It slipped out. I apologized. A lifetime of math anxiety rolled up into four letters–coulda been worse. I stepped back and stared at the cleverly infused algebra...
by Dawn | Feb 13, 2014 | Teaching
They call it “The Curse.” Kids started begging me not to attend their games. Me! Their one fan. We didn’t get a lot of fans in those days because we’re regional and we didn’t win. “Casey! You’re cursed. Don’t come,...
by Dawn | Feb 12, 2014 | Teaching
I’m looking at everyone’s profile pictures. They’re all rock stars with awesome pictures–pictures of hair blowing in slow-mo, light hitting unblemished faces in just the right way. Pictures of scaling Mount Everest. Pictures of scuba diving,...
by Dawn | Feb 6, 2014 | Teaching
They looked at me. “How long’s this gotta be?” It was the midterm essay. “As long as it takes to be informative. And interesting–don’t put me to sleep…I only write zeroes when I’m asleep.” Actually, it’s a...
by Dawn | Feb 5, 2014 | Teaching
Last night was our second parent night. I feel honored when families take the time to come see me. Anyone drives a couple of towns to pay respects to a child’s education is someone for whom I’m very grateful. Many can’t come–parents who work or...
by Dawn | Jan 31, 2014 | education reform, Teaching
I woke from a nightmare. I was taking standardized tests. I bombed. I’m glad it was a dream.It’s standardized test season, a time that strikes more fear in the hearts of schools than a life-sized poster of the Bieber mug shot. Everyone’s defined by...
