Every other Wednesday off.

I think we should have every other Wednesday off. Here's why:

1) It gives me a chance to get things done at places that are otherwise closed on the weekend.
2) I can assign a "longer" project/HW assignment to my students to work on over two (or three, depending on the schedule) days.
3) If we have a Monday or Friday off, let's be honest: it's an extended weekend and thus, it is VERY unlikely that I shall do anything productive.
4) Simply, having Wednesday off removes the stress of the middle of the week.
5) This would only need to be every other week. I don't feel like I'm asking for too much with this.

Thoughts?

"Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it."

"Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it." 
-Miss Stacey, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

I love this quote. It is optimistic, bright, and kind. It is also very good medicine for anyone with a case of the Mondays.

I think the reason that I love this quote, however, is that I can actually hear these words said by the actress who played Miss Stacey in the TV mini-series Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea (from the mid-80s). She was such an inspiring and kindred spirit of Anne's - a teacher, mentor teacher, and friend. 

Miss Stacey was, as written by L.M.M., one of those teachers who inspired all of her pupils in every way. She encouraged them to strive and thrive in their studies and was firm with them when they needed it. In short, Miss Stacey was really the perfect teacher.

I want to be like her when I grow up.

Dem O's, hon.

Truth: I cannot focus my attention on a baseball game (there must be food and libation, as well as good company and conversation). However, I could not be more thrilled for my "hometown" baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles.

I literally grew up when the Orioles were good, and I mean good. These were the years of my knowing the name, number, and position of every player on the team. These were the years of Cal Ripkin, Jr. (#8, shortstop), Brady Anderson (#9, left field), Chris Hoiles (#23, catcher) - the years of sold out games at Camden Yards. The beginning of Boog's barbecue and riding on the then-new Light Rail to games. It was really a magical time to be a kid and be a fan in the 90s.

I've never stopped being a fan of my team; by that I mean I have never and will never be a fan of any other professional baseball team. Even though I may not follow each individual game or know the stats, I still love the Orioles.

Here's to post-season play. Let's Go O's!

Wow, high school seniors are people, too.

I just got through reading sixteen blogs written by my sixteen Creative Writing students. The assignment is to blog four times a week for the remainder of the semester.

I forget how intelligent, smart, insightful, and wise these humans are.

Heading to sleep in a bit, but content with the fact that these wonderful pre-adults, who are BURSTING to be out "on their own" in a few months, are going to be just fine.

Procrastination is not the mother of invention...

Why is it that I preach the "do-not-procrastinate" advice to my students, but cannot take that good advice myself? Friday afternoons finds me leaving school and ready to conquer the weekend!

And then it is Sunday night...and I have yet to do anything.

So why is this? Why can't I just come home on Fridays and take care of my business?

Because I have to go to the gym. I have to make dinner. I have to take a nap. I have to get caught up on Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I have to catch up on emails, and Facebook, and paying bills.

Why do I let this get in the way?

Why can't I grow up?

When it gets down to it, I'm still just like my students.

To think, to write....perchance to dream...

The truth is, as a high school English teacher, I cannot teach writing.

I can teach editing. I can discuss (sometimes ad nauseum). I can pose brilliant (or not-so-brilliant) questions in the style of the Socratic Method. I can beg. I can bribe. But to actually learn how to write means one must write...

And that, my friends, is up to the students.