Work

Lockdown

April 30, 2023April 30, 2023 First Person ForeignHard Thing

If you aren’t sure about a career, like if you are in tears by third period because the jittery 13-year-olds didn’t learn anything in three days reading the same chapter, and they keep singing the[…]

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30, 2021 First Person ForeignNew

I can’t stop talking about teaching. It’s not because I can’t find something else to talk about, it’s just that it is all I am doing. I say hello to all of the students everyday[…]

Education

September 15, 2021September 22, 2021 First Person ForeignArizona

Before I begin this post, I adhere to the rules of FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. I will never reveal my students’ identities, their performance in my classes, or reveal anything about them[…]

Survive Teaching // Teaching to Survive

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021 First Person ForeignArizona

I sit, a woman of average means and multiplying wrinkles, as a survivor of the Zoomiverse. I’m not sure if I’m better for having taught a lifetime of high school classes on Zoom, or if[…]

Taking out the Trash: 2020, A year in review

January 1, 2021January 1, 2021 First Person ForeignBeauty

2020 was NOT TRASH. I am so tired of hearing, in spite of the trauma, loss and anxiety-riddled year that 2020 was, the negativity infused in the number 2020 as if we are entitled to[…]

It takes bravery to be a teacher

September 5, 2020September 5, 2020 First Person ForeignBeauty

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Ringing That Bell

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

I’ve imagined the bell-ringing since the third week of service. An RPCV (return Peace Corps Volunteer) finished her service as we were starting ours, and she had a ceremony and she was kind enough to[…]

T-minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): The Wednesday Takes It All

March 24, 2019March 26, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

On Tuesday night, I couldn’t sleep. A mac track of tasks hit me: packing for a travel day the next day, packing for leaving forever, plus all the work I had to do tomorrow. All[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): A Double-Feature, My Last Work Monday and Tuesday

March 24, 2019March 24, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

Dios Mío. There aren’t other words. But this is a blog, so there are. On my second-to-last Monday in site (the 18th) I got myself out of bed, showered, coffee-powered and out the door to[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Theology, Tortilla Tears & Talent Show Tuesday

March 6, 2019March 7, 2019 First Person ForeignAbuelita

For those of you just tuning in, and for those of you who aren’t, thank you. This is my last month of Peace Corps. I am learning, as I continue to grow as a human,[…]