Jul 31, 2020
FIND YOUR FOOTING
This is the second half of a conversation I had with Dr. Susan Densmore-James, Associate Professor at the University of West Florida, and the Director of the National Writing Project at UWF. Susan is a former colleague of mine, and as I mentioned in Part One, I’m super-grateful we were able to...
Jul 24, 2020
A COLLEAGUE FROM MY DAYS IN THE CLASSROOM
I recently had a conversation with an incredible educator who I’m privileged to call “friend.” Susan Densmore-James and I worked together at Rachel Carson Middle School, in Herndon, Virginia, teaching 8th graders. Her classroom was next door to mine; she taught English...
Jul 17, 2020
WHAT TO READ NEXT
I’m so glad you’re here because I’m talking about my favorite thing ever today – reading! Specifically, I’m sharing the books that I’ve been reading this summer, plus the ones that are in my TBR stack, to inspire you on what to read next.
Now, if you’ve been with me awhile, you know that...
Jul 11, 2020
INTENTIONAL IMPACT
Whether we’re intentional about it or not, we influence the teens in our life. And I would say our actions, rather than our words, have the most impact.
And to have the maximum impact, intentionality – whether in teaching or in parenting – is crucial when you want to influence your teens in a...
Jul 3, 2020
WE HURT WHEN THEY HURT
One of the hardest things about being a parent or a teacher is watching your teens suffer. Whether it’s disappointment in a grade they earned or challenges with friends, or when your teens fail, it just sucks when they hurt.
But here’s the issue. If we don’t dig any further than that,...