#TeachWrite: Invitation to a New Twitter Chat

I am a writer.

It took me so long to be able to make that declaration without feeling like a phony. Once I did, it changed me and it changed my teaching! I've been having this discussion with teachers for years and we decided that this is a discussion that we wanted to share with a wider audience. I'm excited to share this invitation with you. Please join us! Please share!

Join us the first Monday of every month for #TeachWrite, a new Twitter chat dedicated to growing teachers as writers and teachers of writers.

Do you….

Believe that teaching writing is easier when teachers are writers themselves?

Believe that our own writing lives deserve to be nurtured?

Believe that all writers grow through dedicated writing time?

Believe that all writers need support and encouragement?

Believe that writing is a messy process and the best way to learn this is through our own practice?

Believe that when teachers write, they make writing a priority in their classrooms?

Our chat will support teachers not only in their quest to become better teachers of writers, but to become better writers ourselves.

In addition, each chat will end with an invitation to write!

Please join us!

Our first chat is Monday, August 7th at 7:30 PM EST on the topic of  “Writing for the JOY of It!”

Want a reminder for the new #TeachWrite Twitter chat? Sign up here at Remind. 

Grandma Dinners

Dinner out during a busy school year is a difficult thing to do. Lots of days there are meetings after school and for many of my friends, there are kids and husbands waiting at home...so I came up with a solution. Grandma Dinners.

I always thought the name was self-explanatory until a friend's husband mistakenly thought that Grandma Dinners meant we were dining with my grandma. Nope. Grandma Dinners are early bird specials. We go out to dinner at 5:00, sometimes 4:30. It sounds ridiculous until you consider that many teachers eat lunch at 11:00 in the morning.

It started with one friend. We'd plan Grandma Dinners and meet every month or so and catch up. It didn't take long for it to catch on and now I enjoy many Grandma Dinners during the school year. Spending time with friends is essential for sanity, so this time is sacred.

Some of you reading this may be thinking that this is silly. You are missing out! Grandma Dinners mean we get excellent service as many restaurants are empty. Sometimes we start with dessert. There are no rules! We are considering wearing silly hats next time. (You may notice that there aren't any pictures. I never take pictures. We are all in during Grandma Dinners...no devices, no distractions!)

We get to enjoy each other's company and relax. Strong friendships are vital to a happy life. I take my friendships seriously. Being a good friend and having good friends makes life so much better. If you've ever seen the tv show, Parks & Rec, this may remind you of Galentine's Day.

via GIPHY

I suggest you try it. Call a friend. Call a few. Schedule a Grandma Dinner. Dedicated to my two amazing grandmothers, Josie and Lauretta! They are both heroes to me...

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.

Reflecting on the Path of My Life

Life is a series of choices. Each choice brings us down a path and leaves another abandoned. Many choices are small and we don't pay much attention to them and others alter the course of our lives. 

July is a time of reflection for me. A long time ago, I made a decision, in July, that changed the entire course of my life. It brought me to a place that I never expected. Each July brings me back to that decision and I spend some time wondering, "What if?" I have no regrets about that life changing decision, but I do wonder how things might be different.

Today I celebrate exactly where I am in my life. I'm grateful for my family and friends. I'm grateful for my home and my job. I love my sweet dog, Bella. I wouldn't trade my path for any other. It's messy and quiet and unusual and it's all mine.

Thank you to Ruth Ayres for providing this space for sharing our celebrations. Please join us and share your own!

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