I don’t often write about my parents. The memories are too painful and maybe not for the reasons you may think. I had (have) a complicated relationship with my parents, especially with my mother. My father passed away more than 10 years ago and my mother left us in the middle of the pandemic. But… Read more

Today I spoke up at our staff meeting about another system-wide initiative we are being told to do. On top of the testing and recording of the results that also has to be done to determine if “intervention” money – targeted at closing learning “gaps” due to COVID – was well spent. Plus all the… Read more

Another short and sweet post… One more sleep until Spring Break. I can’t believe I made it this far. I’m looking forward to some rest and also to getting some things done. I want to get out of the house every day. To walk. To run errands. To browse in a bookstore and the library.… Read more

Tonight has a feeling of summer. Not because it’s hot. Because it isn’t. Not because it’s so light out and it’s already 7:00 pm. Although it is. Not because the skies are blue and it’s sunny. Not because it’s almost spring break. (Next week.) But because the air is still. Like it is in summer.… Read more

I am grateful for the warm-for-Calgary-winter days we’ve been having. I’m grateful for all the books I’ve read and those I’ve yet to read. I’m grateful for my partner teacher who is always so kind and supportive. I am grateful for this community of slicers that comes together every week on Tuesdays and every day… Read more

Today was the first day of table groups. Until now my students have been sitting in rows. They helped move their desks while I supervised. Then we made a couple of changes. There’s room to walk around now! And, I can have class meetings, read aloud and mini lessons at the front of the room.… Read more

I spent most of yesterday and today reading. Yesterday I started reading Where I Belong (a YA novel) and finished it today. Not being able to put down a book because it was that good felt like coming home. I haven’t felt that way in a long time. I used to know that feeling well,… Read more

I don’t know why I get nervous about parent-teacher conferences. They usually go well. My students’ families want to know if their child is doing well in school (if they’re happy, engaged, learning), and if something is not going well, they want to hear about that too. But they want suggestions. They want to know… Read more

I just finished the first round of parent-teacher conferences. Tomorrow is the second day. We – parents and children- talked about what is going well and why, what’s not going well and why, and the children fleshed out their goals. I had one in-person conference and the rest were virtual; the same for tomorrow. Next… Read more

Today’s slice is short, but maybe not so sweet. I teach. I read. I write. I love. I’m exhausted. Cross posted to the Two Writing Teachers March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Read more