Category: Writing/Teaching
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January 9, 2022 – How teaching has helped me develop as a parent
When my son was young, I’d tuck him in bed and make sure he was secure in his blankets. I’d marvel at his small, handsome face and wonder, “How will my life change when my youngest is older?” “Will I still be the same parent as I am right now?” Now, four children later, (three…
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Welcoming a new year (cautiously)…and taking care of ourselves – December 27, 2021
I am one of thousands of California teachers who somehow managed to make it through the fall semester of 2021. It was a very long and treacherous road with many highlights and rainbows, as well as bumps and bruises along the way. So, when I say “welcoming a new year (cautiously),” I mean that we…
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September 16, 2021-The gift I see before me
It’s been six weeks since I started back to traditional instruction as a teacher at a high school. This year I began my 25th year in teaching. What were the most precious memories so far? For starters, I chose to not focus on rules the first few days or weeks like I normally would have…
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June 16, 2021 – Survival was this year’s teacher theme
Greetings everyone… It has only taken me SIX months to get back to you after a daunting encounter with teaching distance learning from home to hybrid learning in the classroom to in-class hybrid learning with multiple cohorts. This probably doesn’t make sense to most people unless you’re a teacher coming out of a pandemic which…
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May 30, 2020 – Smiles in the Distance
Day 80 – As we get closer to the end of the school year, I find myself saddened for our Seniors and others graduating in 2020. Yes, the districts are doing the best they can to celebrate such a momentous occasion. They’re creatively planning and organizing to make this event as safe, special, and beautiful…
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May 20, 2020 – Up in the Air in Education
Day 70 – From a teacher perspective, this 2020 spring semester is almost done. We’re giving our last assignments, grading completed work, and planning for finals. In a few weeks, our school year will end. And as for students, I’ve seen a rare few, but the connection I had in the classroom no longer exists.…
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April 23, 2020 – The challenge of distance learning
Day 43 – It has been two weeks since my school district officially started distance learning. Although our lessons are assigned, and we’ve given instruction on Google Classroom, it’s obvious that the struggle is real. As someone who used Google Classroom a great deal before the shelter in place, I knew how to assign and…
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March 23, 2020 – The reality that's coming
Day 11 – Monday – I look at my school bag next to my bed. It’s like a long lost friend waiting for me to call her. I haven’t called her, because I don’t know what to say. There are materials I haven’t graded in that bag. Since Friday, March 13th (of all days), I…
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March 18, 2020 – The Toilet Paper Adventure
Day 6 -There’s so much commotion over the toilet paper dilemma that I thought, “What would a toilet paper package experience?” If I were the last toilet paper package at a big warehouse store, what would my experience be? Here’s my story… From the perspective of a toilet paper package: It’s dark and cold in…
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Day 1- Corona Virus…School Closure announced – March 13, 2020
Well, today was some day. As a teacher in the Central Valley, I had heard rumors of those in contact with the Corona Virus. Just like everyone else, I wondered whether these were true or not. I began my day, ready to teach, and as I took attendance, there were way too many absences. This…
"It's a Beautiful Life"- Genevieve Galvan Frenes 