A Teacher's Ruminations

In my search for the perfect blog post I realize that I have neglected my professional journal writing. You may be wondering, "isn't blogging the new journaling"? Perhaps, but for me my professional journal is private, for my eyes alone, unless I want to share it with others. Blogging is as candid a public expression of my professional self as I can muster. Nevertheless, it is still edited for public purview. So, I am going to get back to my daily journaling in the marble notebook that I found this morning hidden in a pile of "to read" books and professional magazines. Maybe, I'll even blog about it here.

Well, Screen Free Week is over - http://bit.ly/dUgLav - and it was a moderate success at our house. I have to say that although we weren't screen free for the entire six days we tried really hard to stay off the screen for most of the week. Having a 3-day weekend didn't help matters, though! From Monday - Thursday we all did pretty well. My husband slipped a little here and there (Facebook) but for the most part neither one of us used our computers or checked our email on our cell phones unless it was related to work. Having intentional time without the use of my BlackBerry, that I love, was a good, needed break. And, it became apparent to me how much time we spend on mobile devices even if they're connected to work. Instead, we played a couple of board games after dinners and spent time reading. Once the weekend came though it was harder to keep my son from pining for the computer or the DS or the Wii, to name a few screens we have in our house, since that is when...

This post originally appeared in Anthony Cody's blog, Living in Dialogue, on April 8th. President Obama: We Want for Our Children What You Want for Yours

How is a great dentist like a great teacher? Here's the partial list that I created after I visited my dentist today. They both have genuine smiles on their faces and greet you warmly. They both make the patient or student feel comfortable. Today my dentist offered me a blanket while he was performing the procedure on my teeth. They both explain what they're doing; the dentist describes the procedure as it's happening and the teacher coaches the student as she teaches. They both use soft voices and answer any questions as carefully and completely, as possible. They both make you want to stay. http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/solsc-2011-30-of-31/

The writing topics I posted on Monday evoke too much raw emotion for me to address at the moment, especially right now when I'm feeling so relaxed. That's what being on vacation does for me, even a short one - I feel the tension draining from me with each passing day. I end up doing more of the things I like and that make me happy. I read more, write more, and spend more quality time with my family. I smile more and worry less. Let's face it: I have more time that's my own. And, as Spring Break winds down I wonder how I can keep this feeling from fading come Monday. Is this the normal cycle of a teacher's life or can we create another cycle that balances school and family? Do you have some tips for staying fresh when school resumes? Make sure you post them here. http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/solsc-2011-30-of-31/

I sit in the living room, half listening to my husband, son, and oldest daughter making tiramisu. I stay out of the kitchen as that is not my strong suit. My son and daughter are learning from my husband while I write my Slice of Life for today. There are lots of things I could write about but instead I make a list for another day when I'm feeling less confused and more lucid than I am at the moment. -- Is your cup half empty or is it half full? Someone said that to me recently and I'm still not sure what the intent was or whether I should even worry about the intent or even if there was an intent. Nevertheless, it obviously bothers me because I'm still thinking about it more than a week later. -- My first day of Spring Break. It snowed off and on today. When the sun finally broke through the sky I thought that finally we could look forward to spring - not. It snowed one final time. -- My thoughts about where to go next in my career. I would love to spend m...

We walked the length of the luge track on our third day at Canada Olympic Park (COP). For nearly 1.6 km we trudged, through soft, pristine snow covering the ice below our feet. I slid three times, landing on my bum, laughing joyously, cushioned by the thick snow that continues to fall beckoned by hints of Spring. http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/2011/03/27/solsc-2011-27-of-31/