New School Retreat

This school year brings changes for me as I'm transferring to a new school. It's a brand new school. It's still being built! Yesterday and today we are spending the days together for a staff retreat.

Change can be scary and hard. This change is exciting and new! We spent yesterday getting to know each other. The day began with our principal and the director of middle schools welcoming us. Next, we played "Bear Bingo", our school mascot is the bear, as we each introduced ourselves to the group.

Lunch together was relaxing. I don't know many people so it was an opportunity to get to know each other. We sat outside and enjoyed our sandwiches as we learned about each other.

After lunch, we came together to create our value statements. I love how we did this. It's a process that was completed with parents and then repeated with students. This time, it was our turn. I love the opportunity to hear what parents and students want our school to be.

Our brilliant admin team lead us in these discussions. We had conversations in our groups about what was important to us. We disagreed. We listened. We compromised. It was powerful!

The day ended watching, "Every kid needs a champion"...a TED Talk by Rita Pierson.

Our exit ticket consisted of answering this question: What inspired you today? I wrote and wrote and wrote as I was inspired by so much!

YES. This is all true. A day working with these people makes me hopeful for an amazing new school. I felt valued and important. I felt worthy and like my voice mattered. I felt like an integral part of a team. 

Leaders show what they value with actions. Leaders show their priorities with how they spend their time. I was reminded of these words by Eleanor Roosevelt, "To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart." Yesterday was planned with so much heart! I can't wait to see what today brings...

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.

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.

The Magic of Musicals

I love musicals! What is it about musicals that I love? Musicals tell a story with music and dancing. It's how I wish life would be...I'm going through my day, something frustrating happens, and I turn and belt out a song about it. Wouldn't that be great? 

This past weekend I saw Rent at the National Theatre in Washington D.C. with two friends. I first saw this show, before it's debut on Broadway, in Boston twenty years ago. I loved it more this time, and I didn't think that was possible! This story is timeless and powerful. The music touched me all over again and the performances were incredible...goosebump-inducing singing and dancing! I've always loved musicals. My family picked one musical a year to go and see. It all started with Cats. Since then I've seen Les Miserable, Miss Saigon, Ragtime, Annie Get Your Gun, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Crazy for You, Kiss of a Spider Woman, and Phantom of the Opera. When I listen to musical soundtracks, I always pick which character I'd be, if I were in this story. Empathy. I sing (only when I'm alone because I have a terrible singing voice) with gusto and I feel the story! Musicals allow me windows into different lives, cultures, and experiences. Musicals are magic.

Next week I'm going to see "The Sound of Music" at the Kennedy Center. I've never seen the stage show and I can't wait! My wish list of shows I'd like to see include: Wicked, The Secret Garden, Aspects of Love, Dear Evan Hansen, and of course Hamilton!

Do you have a favorite musical?

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.

Closing Tabs and a Book Rec

Write about superheroes? No. I could write about Bella, my dog, and her obsession with penguins? No. 

How I have too many tabs open (on Chrome) and it's stressing me out? No. 

UGH! I don't know what to write about. I've been blogging for years. Maybe I've run out of things to say. No. I know that isn't true, but I'm stuck and I think I'm too focused on making it "good" and "worthy". I hear my own annoying advice rattling around in my head, "Just show up and write!" so here I am. 

Um....

Yeah, I....

Arrrggghhhh!!! This writing thing isn't easy. You know what's ironic? I've been writing (not on my blog) a lot recently. How do I balance different kinds of writing? I have to switch off what I'm writing over there and really be present here. I guess it's like reading more than one book at a time.

Oh, and that reminds me, I'm reading an AMAZING book that every single educator I know should read! It's called Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom. 

This book....there's so much inside these pages. I'm savoring the message and meandering through the chapters so as to soak up every syllable. The ideas inspire me and I'm doodling all over the pages. I'll write more about it when I'm done, but if you don't know this book or don't have it....RUN and get it....NOW!

I have one more thought this morning before I post this. Why does Grammarly insist that my ellipses use four, instead of three, periods?!?! Grammarly is a free add-on for Chrome and it frequently reminds me that I use the incorrect prepositions and stink at commas. 

This post is a mash-up of randomness. It's not great, but it's done and sometimes that has to be enough....and I've closed all those extraneous tabs. Just closed them. Ahhh, that feels good!

You Matter

I'm not the smartest person. I'm not the prettiest. I was never picked first for any team. I'm not the best and I really don't want to be. I work hard at so many things but what's most important to me, what I value the most is being kind.   

The end of the school year is time for reflection. I ask my students to reflect and I reflect myself. I think about what I did well and where I can do better. In my reflections this year, I've come to the conclusion that I did a good job at developing relationships with students and connecting with them.  Here are some of their thoughts...

"You Matter" is how I communicate to my students that I see them and they are important to me and to our classroom community. Every day those words are on the board and it's made a difference. Many students told me that seeing those words every day in class made a difference to them.

We talk about what those words mean. We discuss how to communicate those words to each other, verbally and non-verbally. It's something I value and I see the value transfer to all very soon. We use these words. It becomes part of our daily conversation.

It's important, it's necessary, it's non-negotiable, to SEE our students every single day. It makes a difference. One class told me that I was their hero. (By the way, it isn't really about me at all, it's about the message: "You Matter!" It changed them. It meant something to them.) They created beautiful gifts. First of all, I got my very own superhero cape...

  

They also created a notebook for me. This notebook is filled with pages and pages written for me and to me. I see my students and they see me.

My hope for these students is that they remember their worth and share it with the world.

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.

Wanderlust Staycation

I'm planning my "Wanderlust Staycation". 

Bella, helping me plan

This is my last week of school. There's so much going on, I don't know where to begin...so naturally, I'll begin with summer plans. I was disappointed because I didn't have a week long beach trip planned. Things weren't lining up for me and I was getting sad answering the question, "What are you doing this summer?"  I decided I'm creating my own staycation. I'm calling it the "Wanderlust Staycation" and currently I'm asking for suggestions from local friends for day trips or fun activities around Loudoun County, Virginia which is outside of Washington DC. I've lived here for seventeen years and there's so much to do and see. Right now, I'm gathering suggestions and soon I'll be making a map of my summer. I know that I want to discover new (to me) places. I want to explore and see new things. I love going by myself or with a friend. Places, where I can write, are a plus since I want to write a lot this summer.  Finally, I'd like to push myself to try new things and have new experiences. Suggestions have already begun pouring in and I'm excited...

So far, I'm going to see Rent in DC. I will definitely be trying goat yoga and getting myself to the Newseum.

GYOGA from chip baysden on Vimeo. Back when I was in college, I remember a woman I worked with spent her day off each week exploring Boston. She'd find something new and go. That spirit has always stayed with me and I'm hoping it makes me brave enough to try lots of new things.  Suggestions are welcome! Where should I go? What should I do? Who's coming with 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.

Learning through Laughter

Acting out as a panel of ballet experts on a morning show

"Why are we still here? What else do we have to learn?" That question plagues me. It's difficult because students get mixed messages. The end of the year excitement and energy is hard to battle. I refuse to show movies. We make our time meaningful until the #lastbell. In communications, we are learning using improvisation. A brilliant teacher, Whitney Field shared a presentation on using improv with middle school students this summer in the Northern Virginia Writing Project's ISI. I was skeptical as improv is very much outside of my comfort zone. 

Working together as groups of three-headed experts

As this year progressed, I kept my eyes and ears open for new and interesting things to teach and practice and learn in communications. A couple of weeks ago, I was reminded of improv and it fit perfectly. I've seen the silent students raise their hands to perform. I notice everyone participating and laughing during our warm-ups. We laugh. We take risks. We get better. It's been so successful, that I've started using some exercises with my sixth-grade classes. It turns up the energy on a listless class and it bonds the group. I see the community growing stronger and stronger. 

Working together as a three-headed expert

Taking a risk and trying something completely new has been so worth it! The students are learning about communication, creativity, critical thinking, and listening. Making mistakes is celebrated and taking risks pays off. 

Practicing the three-headed expert

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.

TEDxHerndon Conference

This past Saturday afternoon, I traveled to a local middle school and settled in to listen to eighteen TED talks about difficult conversations. I left four and a half hours later inspired and motivated and educated. There's not enough time to share everything with you, so I'll share some highlights for me. Whitney Parnell spoke about creating allies and building bridges. Her talk started with this song she wrote. I was sobbing.

Kwame Alexander was one of the speakers. 

He always inspires when he speaks. His message was to be a SAY YES person. I laughed and listened and teared up as he shared his journey and experiences.

After Kwame came the legendary, Nikki Giovanni! I have been reading her poetry since college. She's bigger than life. In person, she's sassy and irreverent and brilliant! My favorite thing is she walked on stage and gave her TED talk holding her notebook. I felt a connection with her as soon as I saw that!

She spoke to writers about writing and not worrying about what people think about it. She then launched into a poem about fear. Here are a couple of lines from it,

"I think fear should be a spice..."

"I need to explain right here, it's not fear that causes problems, it's when hatred is combined with it..."

"Hatred is a bad idea, which is why it's cheap and available, anywhere you look"

Her words echo in my mind. There were so many other powerful speakers who made me think and who taught me. I have pages and pages of notes in my notebook. I can't wait to return and reread and soak in these words.

If you ever get the chance to attend a TED Conference, I highly recommend it!

Questions and Answers

Questions:

What should I write today?

What does success look like to me?

Why are does everything move so fast?

Why does life seem endlessly busy with all of our modern conveniences?

How do we fix this?

What book is your favorite?

How are there people who don't read?

Why are we sad and stressed and overwhelmed?

How do I stay healthy when everything is dangerous?

What information do I trust?

How do I make things better?

What do I do now?

Questions & Answers:

What should I write today? This.

What does success look like to me? A life filled with JOY and LOVE.

Why are does everything move so fast? Breathe and take it all in.

How is life busier with all of our modern conveniences? More to manage, more to do.

How do we fix this?  Be mindful.

What book are you reading now? The Sun is Also a Star.

How are there people who don't read? This I will never understand.

Why are we sad and stressed and overwhelmed? Everyone has a story.

How do I stay healthy when everything is dangerous? Everything in moderation.

What information do I trust? That which serves the betterment of all.

How do I make things better? Show up.

What do I do now? Begin.

Answers:

This.

A life filled with JOY and LOVE.

Breathe and take it all in.

More to manage, more to do.

Be mindful.

The Sun is Also a Star.

This I will never understand.

Everyone has a story.

Everything in moderation.

That which serves the betterment of all.

Show up.

Begin.

I couldn't figure out what to write today. Lately, it feels like I have all of these questions swirling around in my head, so I just started to write them down. This is what happened...kind of cool! I didn't want to write this morning, but I didn't want to miss sharing a slice MORE. Showing up and developing a writing ritual created this piece of writing.

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.

Just Take it Bird by Bird, Buddy

The title is from my favorite Anne Lamott book, "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life". I first read this book in the mid-nineties when it was first published. This book, along with "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg, served as my writing bible when I was in graduate school. This was the first time I remember thinking, "I love writing." And wondering, "Could I be a writer?" 

Her story, her words...changed my life. As she wrote, I read and read. I shared. I listened. It was a relationship between me and the story. Her storytelling is brilliant, funny, real, and powerful. I can't stay away, so when I heard that she was speaking thirty miles away from me, I HAD to go.  Tickets purchased. Directions scouted. Plans made. I attended alone. It's how one should always meet a hero. The drive, though only thirty miles, took almost two hours...DC traffic! I could hardly wait! The venue was beautiful. I grabbed a bottle of water and a chocolate chip cookie to nibble on as I waited. I sat next to a woman who was sitting on the floor, alone. We chatted for a couple of moments and agreed that these nights, listening to our favorite authors, were our rock concerts. Finally, we were being seated. LOOK at my seat! I knew it was going to be a good seat when the usher said, "Wow!" 

Yes, I took a picture of my seat!

LOOK at all of the leg room. I had lots of space and I was very comfortable! About ten minutes after I took my seat, she quietly and with no introduction or fanfare walked onto the stage. I confess, I had tears in my eyes. I've been reading her stories for more than twenty years and now I'm in the same room as she is...it was a moment for me.

Her talk was entertaining. I love how she kept waving to the people sitting all the way at the top! I love how she kept losing her place and moving on to something else! I love how she connected with the audience. 

My hand rarely stopped moving. I took pages and pages of notes. I didn't want to miss anything. Here are some of my favorite lines, 

"Where I first found salvation was in the written word," in talking about reading as a child.

"Seek truth. Go outside! Talk to others who need to talk. Listen." 

"Mercy is grace in action. It means having a heart for other people's trouble."

Over and over again she repeated, "Show yourself mercy. That means radical self-care."

"Buy yourself beautiful socks. These are desperate times."

After her talk, she was signing books. It was already close to ten o'clock and I had to teach the next day...but once in a lifetime. I was four from the end of the line. As I waited, I reminded myself to breathe. I reminded myself to say, "Thank you." As the line moved, I got so excited. 

She signed my book! She signed MY book. I said, "Thank you." And other silliness. 

The moment I'll take with me is this...I asked, "How are you?" She stopped. That startled me a bit. She looked at me. She looked me in the eyes and said, "I'm fine," she paused and then asked, "How are you?" Those words felt like they were spoken in slow motion. It felt like the world stopped and she really saw me and heard me. 

I met Anne Lamott.

  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.