education and life

I keep asking myself how school and life fit together.


The last few years I've done a range of long-term, temporary and shorter teaching jobs. I've taught Math, Social Studies, English, PE, Spanish, Health. There have been kids labeled as bilingual, autistic, "Talented and Gifted" and ADHD. Kids that go to Paris for the summer and kids that go to Mexico for Christmas. I've taught little people who are wiggling out of their skins and I've taught middle schoolers that are growing into their lanky limbs. I've taught in a school with a parking lot full of Hybrids and dirt-less SUVs, where kids play golf, do archery and climb in their own rock gym for PE. And I've taught in places with few books, where children have bright, snapping brown eyes and timidly test their English words on me as they eat their free breakfast, warming before school.


There is so much to learn about the art of leading a classroom of people. I now know that I don't actually speak Spanish, but that I'm pretty competent at teaching it. I know that to play hangman with my name at the beginning of class can setup a group to be more productive in the remaining forty-five minutes than they could've in an hour without it. I know how to simultaneously give a nasty snap at the chitter-chatters, and delightedly listen to another. I know that standing at the door and looking each kid in the eyes as they come and go (even when they're too cool to see me!), can earn a teacher a few hugs and a lot of respect. I've learned that bodies sprawl in funny positions when people are really reading. I've learned working usually sounds like a low murmur--the whir of the brain. I know that there are things in life that are way, way, way more important than the grammar worksheet. I've learned that often the more softly I speak, the more clearly I'm heard. I've learned to sparingly and sharply deliver a deadly, evil eye and to find true joy in the quirky doodles of the quietly overlooked boy in the corner. I've learned to let go, not worry so much about being "in control of the classroom" as much as to respect and defend the learner-ship of the people in it. And I've recently noticed that not only do I need a lot of help, but that kids like to help out (if they like you). And that they usually like me if I like them.


Gosh. That's just in these first six weeks, not to mention the lessons over the past two years.


This is my third year of substitute teaching. I can't decide if I like it this way. On one hand, because I don't have my own bins of journals to grade and piles of lessons to plan I have space to think and cook and enjoy life with David and family and neighbors; but on the other hand, I'm frustrated by the in-and-out nature of a substitute's relationships with kids. Funny trade-off. I want to know, are the options mutually exclusive?


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I'm thinking about these things because this morning I watched a fascinating video about education, creativity and expectations of and on schools and little people. Sir Ken Robinson said, "Most people are getting educated out of creativity." Is there any hope for the re-imagining of education? Are public schools stunting learning? 

So, after all that, I still think it comes back to the teacher and her thirty kids. Is the teacher a learner? Is the teacher a lover? And then, the big question in my mind, how to allow the teacher enough life-room to be a learner and be a lover?

portland and books

I had some birthday money and I finally decided what I wanted. A copy of The Message and one of my all-time favorite books, The Wise Woman by George MacDonald. Ever read it? I love it. One of the only books that I look forward to reading again every few years.

words and art from 1 Peter

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

You were ransomed from the futile ways...with the precious blood of Christ.

You are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people for his own possession,
that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.... Let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.... the God of all grace, who has called you into his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

burnham berry blast

Not long ago I accidentally picked a whole lot of berries. My friend and I were chitter chattering and--boom, 4 hours later--22 pounds of strawberries, 17 pounds of marionberries and 76 pounds of blueberries. Needless to say, it was quite a shock to our postage-stamp sized kitchen. After much fretting and washing and sharing and eating and cobbling, the berries are safely tucked away in the bellies and the freezer. Fortunately, they were only a buck a pound. David and I decided on a 25 pound max limit from now on.

And just thought I'd tack it on: we have a very favorite crisp recipe. We have it for dessert and then the leftovers are wonderful with coffee for breakfast.

Berry Crisp (serves 9)

4-ish c berries
1/2 c sugar (use more for raspberries, less for very sweet berries)
2 T cornstarch
1 3/4 c quick oats
1 c flour
1 c brown sugar
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 c butter

Crush 1 c berries; add enough water to measure 1cup. In saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and berry mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in remaining berries. In bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar and soda. Cut in butter to make crumbs. Press half into a greased 9x9 baking dish. Spread with berries. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Bake at 350* for 25 minutes or until it's golden and bubbly. Eat warm or cold. YUM!

8/2011 Now I do 4-6 cups of berries. We like it even better with more! And less sugar if the berries are particularly sweet.

so, we were driving through austria...

Christina recently unearthed this for me. I scowl--and then laugh--every single time. I miss you guys.
May 2005

happy summer