"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." – Maya Angelou
Teaching is such an underappreciated profession. The pay sucks. I can't go to the bathroom whenever I need to, you know, use the bathroom. I sit in meetings that are the exact opposite of best practice when it comes to learning (sit in rows, listen to one person talk at the front, etc). I have... Continue Reading →
This year, I am teaching seniors, many of whom I taught when they were in ninth grade. This fall we read Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give, and took a field trip to see the film adaptation. As a white woman, I have learned not to be surprised anymore by the trauma I feel in my... Continue Reading →
In August of 2013, I interviewed for a 0.3 FTE (full time employment) English Teacher position and got the job. During workshop week, it was bumped up to 0.5 FTE, and the day before school started, it was bumped to a 0.9 FTE with a new prep altogether. I was 22 years old, newly married,... Continue Reading →
A stage is a place to question things, to take BIG concepts like death and masculinity and racism and make them entry points for educational purposes. I learned that last night when I got to attend Guante's re-release of his book of poems, lyrics, and essays at Icehouse last night. And for $15 a ticket,... Continue Reading →
One of my mantras is "I can't give what I don't have." Some of my colleagues and I were feeling a bit depressed and overwhelmed this January, and we could see that it was a bit viral in our building. A lot of us are trying to be helpful and giving when we're running on... Continue Reading →
It's August which means teachers and students are soaking in the last long days of summer sunshine and preparing for what we know is around the corner. I have actually been so excited for this upcoming school year, and I have spent much of the summer brainstorming, revising, planning, and working. Next year, I will... Continue Reading →
Last week, a black, female student brought in a pizza to class. When she walked in, I greeted her and said "Hi! It's good to see you. Pizza? I hope you saved a slice for me. But you know, it's probably going to be distracting to have a whole pizza in here- could you finish... Continue Reading →
bekah noble 