“Cop.” “Which side?” “Your side. At the light.” It sounds like a conversation between two wanted assailants that perhaps had tunneled out of Riker’s using plastic spoons and toothpicks. But, no. This was a typical exchange […]
White Men Can’t Jump…But Levitate?
It’s true. It’s been my sad and woeful battle with gravity for years. My jumping suggests that perhaps gravity has an abnormally negative effect on me. Sadly, there is no Rare Gravity Abnormality Syndrome (RGAS for […]
“I Am My Faith”—A Story of Language and Faith in the Classroom
A disclaimer to start. I tell this story because it has a moment of true beauty to it and I’m trying to do it some justice. To get to that moment though, faith and culture may […]
Kid’s Best Friend—Dogs Teach More Than Responsibility, They Teach Love
“Absolutely.” I say it with assured conviction. “Really? I can have a dog?” “Absolutely,” I say again. I even wave my hand in the air just a bit as if this whole dog business is a […]
A Thousand Stories—Make Every Word Count
Don’t talk grades. You’re not supposed to talk about grades during Open House. Just keep pushing parents to the projects and work on the walls. But, that’s not why most parents show up. They don’t care […]
Hearts Held Together with Tape and Glue: A Middle School Love Story
Third period. Ten a.m. Last week of school. One of those mornings that has that soft smell of spring, but feels like summer. It’s a good one. Dennis has a girlfriend. Fine choice, too—Sylvia. I’m assuming […]
The Box, The Big Book of Nothing and it’s Magic Effect
At first, I pay no attention to the box. Paying no attention is key in gaining the attention of everyone else. Kids point. They question. I shrug them off. We do our usual morning routine. Kids […]
My Christmas Tale: from Sense of Dread to Humbled Holiday Spirit
I’m a covert Scrooge. I’ve got humbug, much like ice water, running through my veins. I say ‘covert’ because as a father and one-time elementary school teacher, I appreciate that my own misgivings about the holiday […]
Character Counts – My Middler-Schoolers Reactions to President-Elect Trump
“Donald Trump hates brown people!” Yup. I was sort of waiting for that one. It was last spring, and Donald Trump had just flippantly mentioned that most Mexicans were rapists and drug dealers. As a teacher […]
Teaching, Trust & Truth: My Student’s Coming Out Story
Tired old souls often argue for the world to stay the same. They argue against their better judgement. They argue even though, somewhere hidden behind the rhetoric and rage, they know they are wrong. It’s rarely […]
Make the Moment: Fate and Fuelling Dreams
It was about twelve years ago at the La Habra Kid’s Museum. Locals probably know the reference, but for those that don’t, the place is an eclectic collection of hands-on this and that. When you first […]
The Road Back To Hope—An Inspirational Classroom Story
“Is this a detention? Cracking the whip?” Looking at my motley lunch crew, I can understand why he might jump to that conclusion. It’s a bit rag-tag, with all-stars from both leagues; the league of usual […]