The Coach Learns a Lesson

May 29, 2018.Reading time 7 minutes.

“Whatever you do, we have to beat this team!” Eight eager heads nod, mouth consent. We all hate this coach. Two of my girls are injured but have come along to support their teammates. Our center, a tall blonde, new to basketball waits for the ball drop. She easily catches the ball and dribbles towards […]

One Thing

November 22, 2017.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Originally posted on One Woman's Quest:
Sipping my second cup of morning tea, I breathe in the solitude that nature dropped on my doorstep overnight: great mounds of white, silently commanding the world to a halt. The tea is extra sweet and warming when accompanied by the luxury of leisure time. Shaking off the…

The domino effect.

May 4, 2017.Reading time 2 minutes.

Originally posted on Thriving Under Pressure:
Smile like you’re changing the world. Because you are. 🌸 We often think of changing of the world as some great big, grand gesture. Performed on stage with millions of people watching. When in fact it’s just you and me (and 7 billion others). Smiling, connecting, caring, and loving.…

Dreaming Of Work

December 27, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

I dream that I am teaching again, have two classes: a grade 9 Math first thing in the morning and a senior History last period. I am late, so someone else has to start the Math class, and when I do arrive, I am unprepared and uncertain that I can proceed. Last class is more […]

Churry

December 20, 2016.Reading time 6 minutes.

Cognitive functioning is currently down a notch. (I know I’ve complained of this before, but bear with me – I think it merits understanding.) I found a recipe for Easy Lentil Curry on the blog: Simple Vegan. Since I love curries and lentils, I decided “easy” must mean it is doable even for me. Part […]

Educational Walls

August 1, 2016.Reading time 7 minutes.

I have this recurring dream that I am teaching a class, composed of adults and adolescents, which is spread out over three rooms. Try as I might to build community through ice breaking activities, it is physically impossible to reach all the students at one time. I am reminded of how it feels to teach […]

A Reflection on Need for Reform in Education

March 6, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

Having been absent from the school system for the better part of two years has not fueled a complacency about education; it has given me a lot of time to reflect on my experiences. As indicated before, my passion in teaching was with special needs student, and I spend many days thinking about one or […]

Working Memory: A Special Education Teacher’s Experience

March 2, 2016.Reading time 7 minutes.

As a special education teacher, the term “working memory” is a familiar concept. We see many students whose independent education plans indicate difficulties in this area, and we create accommodations to support their learning. I thought I’d really grasped the complexities – until it happened to me. Now, I have a whole new appreciation for […]

Feline Confessions

Tiresome this halothe repercussions Instincts cheetah fiercedomesticity a struggle Shameful, this confessionperhaps – had to be said No pussycat herejust a woman who’s real. (Image my own)

Ebb and Flow

Shore knows repetitiontides thrust, withdraw –natural rhythm Why then should I questionstrife’s return – is it not justtide returning my load? Not as stalwart as the shoremisery bleeds onto pagetainting my ocean. (Tuesdays, I borrow from Twitter @Vjknutson. This poem edited. Image my own.)

Fetch

Father taught us to fetch –What else are children for? I did not like his demeaning sneernor the way he lorded control Mother learned to ask how highwhen he snapped: “Jump!” I vowed to be differentto never let him break me But his arms were strongerand my fear real, and so From my father, I’ve […]

One Woman's Quest II

Tag: teaching