Rose The Myth of the “Good” Teacher Lucas has a hair crossed. He does not see the value of rules, and he’s determined to prove his point by taking on the “No Drinks but Water in the Classroom” rule. This rule is easy to defend – just imagine the poor janitor’s job if sticky sugary drinks … Read more
The youngest one, just 3 years old, quizzes me over and over about the creche. She stands transfixed by the stylized figures, especially the tiny Christchild in the manger. Whatever is running through that busy little brain of hers, behind those huge blue eyes? I would love to know. Then. on my next pass through … Read more
I suppose she was around six years old when we began to notice her obsession with playing “school”. This girl would grab any passing adult, willing or unwilling, and coerce him or her into whatever school room she had devised. She had the props: whiteboard, markers, a makeshift desk or two, books and charts from … Read more
TRADITION Should you happen to be driving through Derry, New Hampshire on 28 Bypass, you might notice what looks like a small well-groomed college campus. Pinkerton Academy impresses most at first glance. The largest independent high school in New Hampshire, it draws in upwards of 3200 teenagers from Derry and surrounding towns. The school is … Read more
WINDOW ON ROOM 70 It’s Period H at last. This huge high school campus pulses with adolescent energy as over 3000 teenagers trek from building to building, tramping over the dirty snowpack in their winter jackets and hoodies. Friends bump into each other and lock in afternoon plans. “Meet me in front of the library, … Read more
(Part 2) “Almost Heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the trees Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze…” From where we have settled into Warrenton, we can see those mountains rising gently in the distance. We were recently treated to a personal tour of this beautiful … Read more
THE PORTABLES When I took the Special Ed job at Pinkerton, classroom space was at a premium. So Room 69 would be my home for the next five years. Room 69, the outcast portable on this beautiful campus, was a wonder in itself. It stood alone, slumped in despair, a blemish on a patch of … Read more
NOTHING IS TAUGHT TILL SOMETHING IS LEARNT One day the counselor comes to me and says, “I’m giving you a ‘poor thing.” Derek is so alone, so strange. Like a five year old, he craves attention and has repeatedly been pushed aside. He adores me. He’s working against a low IQ and is trying so … Read more
CAUGHT CRYING Sue comes into my room every day, armed with a shield of protection against the world. No one is ever going to hurt her again. The sharp edges of her cynicism can lay you open, so I proceed oh, so carefully. Where can I meet this girl? How far will she let me … Read more
“DISCARDS?” Many of our students in special education are thriving, coming from stable loving homes. But many others are not so lucky. We do what we can for them, we try to give them hope letting them know that they can make good choices going forward, despite the past. We teach, we coach, we nurture. … Read more