I've not written much since we went back to school in the fall. Every time I do, I sit at my computer, stare at my keyboard, and realized just how mentally drained I am.
Before I write anything else, I want to be very clear. I'm not complaining.
Okay, maybe I am a little bit.
This week I lived through my 19th first day of school as a high school educator, and, except for my very first year, I don't ever remember being more anxious about the start of a year.
This morning, our high school had the first of two graduation ceremonies. Because the class is so large (around 1100 students) social distancing procedures required that graduation be split into two. Watching the first ceremony on the Internet this morning was surreal. The chairs spread out all over the football field so graduates were not … Continue reading Seniors
Trying to look on the bright side of life here...One of the nice things about teaching high school from a distance is that I can really focus on the content and how I am delivering it. While recording my lessons, if I mess up, I can stop and do it over. I also don't have … Continue reading Dress Codes
There's so much that I want to write, that I'm having a hard time writing anything at all.There is a new normal for so many people right now. I'm having to learn how to teach two Advanced Placement classes remotely while also trying to help my wife (who is remotely working as a school counselor) … Continue reading One Day
Since I teach social studies, it happens from time to time that I can use current events as real life application for what we're doing in class. I actually wish it would happen a little more often, but for AP US History, we don't spend much time at all on recent events, and for AP … Continue reading Rates
Today, I started the fifth week of school.I managed to survive the first four weeks, and I finally feel like I'm mostly caught up...for now. As any teacher can tell you, there is always work to do, even over the summer. It just happens from time to time that there may not be anything pressing … Continue reading Breathing
A couple of years ago, my social studies department head asked if I would be interested in representing our school and department at the school district's annual job fair. I work in a large, well respected district. Thousands of people drive fairly long distances in order to have an opportunity to work in our district. I … Continue reading Choices
When I first began teaching AP US History, I thought I knew a great deal about our nation's history. I was wrong. Partly through completing graduate school, partly from leisure reading, and partly out of necessity, I've learned more about US History in the past nine years than I could possibly teach to my students … Continue reading Backward
I don't really like to travel. Okay, that's not completely accurate. I enjoy visiting different locations away from home. I just don't enjoy the travelling part of travel. I need to get a teleportation device of some kind to beam me where I want to go. At any rate, I am currently in Louisville, Kentucky … Continue reading Reading
Reflections Of A Middle Aged Nobody 