If you just started following our journey (or if you are just tuning back in), then you need to know that I teach an alternative class for students whose behavior is so severe that they cannot function in the regular classroom environment. The school’s aim is to target the root of their destructive behavior, eradicate … Continue reading Day 132–In All Directions
Day 104–Brick by Brick
After a horrific fire broke out in Rome, Emperor Hadrian (117-138 CE) was faced with the monumental task of rebuilding the city. In the wake of the tragedy, he allegedly told his people, “Brick by brick, my fellow citizens, brick by brick.” He knew that with time and patience, the empire would be restored to … Continue reading Day 104–Brick by Brick
Day 100–Save One
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. -1 Corinthians 9:22 (ESV) This verse contains several powerful insights, but one in particular has always intrigued me. It seems that the verse should read “I have … Continue reading Day 100–Save One
Day 38–Fact or Fiction
Storytime with Felicia is always something. Sometimes the stories are fact, sometimes the stories are fiction, and sometimes the stories are a strange hybrid of fact and fiction. As most of you know, students (particularly the ones in our classroom) will say anything to get attention, so it’s our job to sort through the emotional … Continue reading Day 38–Fact or Fiction
Day 32–Promise Breakers, Promise Keepers
Felicia’s nature is very “very.” She is either very joyful or very dejected, very motivated or very apathetic, very loving or very spiteful, very respectful or very defiant, very calm or very chaotic. There seems to be no middle ground, and every day she walks into class, I know whether it will be a good … Continue reading Day 32–Promise Breakers, Promise Keepers
Day 20–A Tale of Two Stories
My students are brilliant story tellers. Not because they know how to tell a good lie but because they don’t know how to tell a good lie. They simply tell the truth. The straightforward, blunt, here’s what happened-here’s what I saw-here’s what I think, truth. They don’t tell the truth out of some moral obligation … Continue reading Day 20–A Tale of Two Stories
Day 8–Spades and Hearts
I only have three students right now. Inevitably, more students will be added to my classroom as some kids grow tired of learning and other kids commit “zero tolerance offenses” (like bringing weapons to school or stashing drugs in their lockers). But for now, it’s paradise, and paradise comes in the form of Felicia, Gabriella, … Continue reading Day 8–Spades and Hearts
Day 7–A Note on Felicia(s)
Felicia reminds me of the character Gru from the movie Despicable Me. She has broad shoulders and a thick upper body (similar to a linebacker), but she narrows at the waist and grows even smaller into the legs. I’ll be walking beside her in the hallway during a bathroom break, and all I can think … Continue reading Day 7–A Note on Felicia(s)
Day 3–Say What??
At the start of every school year, students come into the classroom with new words in their vocabulary. Words that they act like they have always used but in reality they just heard in a rap song that hit the top of the charts last month. Words that apparently make students cool for saying them … Continue reading Day 3–Say What??
Day 1–Thongs
Thongs. That’s how my year started. A conversation about thongs. The only thing worse than hearing a student’s conversation about thongs is hearing a student’s conversation about the condition of said thongs. And their condition was bad... Nasty. Crusted. Worn out. It was Felicia, because it always is when it’s dealing with something sexual, and … Continue reading Day 1–Thongs
