A Picture Is Worth...

Last week I copied a sentence about a cat named Snowball on the board. It took me back to a college reading class where I worked with an elementary student on reading and writing. She chose to write a story about her cat named Snowball. The whole time she worked on her story, I was picturing a long-haired white cat. Imagine my surprise when she colored Snowball black. In what I hope was a good teacher tone, I questioned why she would name a black cat Snowball. She gave me a look that said, "Well, duh!", and calmly replied, "Because he's fluffy, just like a snowball." Until next time, class dismissed.

September 4, 1990

No, the date in the title is not a mistake. That day twenty-two years ago, the Tuesday after Labor Day just like today, did not start out as one I would want to remember. Originally scheduled to be our first day of school, it instead became the funeral of our beloved principal, Mr. Bill Burke. Two years earlier, Mr. Burke hired me for the only teaching job I have ever had. He poured his heart into his job and always lit up the room with his big smile and hearty laugh. His death on the final day of inservice left a void in our whole district but especially at the Whitewood and Rural Schools. It seemed like a day that I would rather forget until 9:03 that evening when our daughter Kristin was born. The day that had started on a sad note suddenly had a happy ending.  As I write this, that “happy ending” is celebrating her 22^nd birthday with a group of good friends. She is my best reason to remember that day.

The First Day(s) of School

                                                             Whether it's grade school,

                                                                        high school,

                                                          or your 26th year of teaching,
the first day of school brings a mixture of emotions. Apprehension is balanced with lots of excitement. Worries about different material and making friends are mixed with excitement over new school clothes, shiny lunchboxes, and sharp crayons. For students and teachers alike, it is a time to start fresh and set new goals--the chance to make this the best school year yet. My 1984 Care Bears calendar said it best: "It's a brand-new year, fill it with fun!" Of course, in my mind I always add "...and learning!"

                                                       Until next time, class dismissed.