Six Word Memoirs

I've been feeling kind of bummed about my lack of writing. It hasn't been because I'm too busy (man, that phrase drives me mad). It hasn't been because I've been uninspired. Maybe the problem has been I have been over-inspired -- too many ideas floating around in my brain. I suppose that is a good problem to have.

After school today, I went for a short run, savoring the last moments of nice weather. We have our regionals volleyball game tonight, so I showered up and sat down with my dinner and laptop. Because my school is on block scheduling, I had a fresh group of kids in my Creative Writing class. It's kind of cool because I will teach the course four times by the end of the year. That allows for a few more times of trial and error (but hopefully more of trial and success). I like to start the course with Six Word Memoirs. Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in just six words. He came up with: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Pretty powerful for just six words, and the interpretation is endless -- one of my favorite aspects of literature.

As the kids began to work, I started thinking more about my own Six Word Memoir. Before when I had taught this unit, I came up with "Eric Church, will you marry me?" Obviously, this was a little bit more of a joke (But seriously, I would marry him in a heartbeat), so I started thinking a little more deeply. "One step behind, and that's okay." Ever since I decided to go back to school to become a teacher, I've felt like things in my life have been "pushed back." The picture in my head has changed time and time again. According to my friends on Facebook and others in society (especially the midwest), I may be a little behind. As I get older and more comfortable with where I am at, I realize that it's okay. I'm not the right track for me. The steps I'm taking are forward, and I'm learning along the way.

I'm excited to read the words of my students. As they worked and I walked around talking to them, I couldn't help but think about how lucky I am to have such an incredible profession.

Sharing My Passions

In my Creative Writing class, we began studying poetry last week. At first, I was cringing this unit. Teenagers don't exactly jump up and down at the opportunity to read and/or write poems. As I started preparing, I promised myself I would make it as exciting painless as possible. Overall, I think it's gone pretty well. Tomorrow, we will begin talking about political and society based poems. Because I love history, I'm looking forward to hearing their responses to the literature. 

As I'm prepping my lesson tonight, I started reading about women's suffrage and war memorials (riveting material, I know). I started thinking about the things I feel passionate about. No, I'm not talking about my friends and family. I'm talking about worldly issues that I take to heart. I thought I would share some of my passions: 

-- Education: I suppose this is a given since I am a teacher, but it's much more than that. Yes, my career is centered around teaching students, and I do care about their grades; however, I care much more about the people they are becoming. To me, education is not just about the earned grade. It's about teaching students to become productive members of society. It's about them creating lives that are rich and full of continued learning. 

-- Women's Rights: You may not know it, but I deeply considered a minor in Women's Studies. I loved each class I took and felt empowered and passionate about equality for everyone. I'll never forget when one of my favorite professors said, "We're more alike than we are different." I hold onto that as I embrace opportunities and meet new people. 

-- Children of Haiti: After traveling to Haiti and working with the children there, I fell in love. The spirit of the people there was encouraging and contagious. They don't have much, but they care and love one another. Things aren't perfect there. Much of the people suffer from poverty and disease. Children are living in huts with very little to eat or drink. They walk miles in order to receive an education. After studying, they return home to work for their families. I met some incredible people there. I didn't speak the same language as them, but there is one language that we all speak: love.