I make a living by observing small children and seeing the way they interact every day. Sadly, most of the interactions I observe are of the negative variety. I deal with yelling, screaming, pinching, hitting, kicking, hair-pulling, and biting. That's on a good day. So watching a couple of kids who are interacting positively is … Continue reading And They Called It Puppy Love
On the Job
On the Drive Home
It's quite the drive between the school where I work and my home. The majority of the 45 minute drive is spent on winding back roads. The only thing you can be sure of on these roads is that you can never be certain of what you might see. Once, a chicken literally crossed the … Continue reading On the Drive Home
Self Care
Apparently, my supervisor thinks I'm stressed out. See, I work as a counselor in an elementary school. Have I mentioned that on here before? I can't keep up with things anymore. I'm too stressed out. Anyway, we're coming up on the end of the school year. Less than five weeks remain until the glorious days … Continue reading Self Care
Meteorological Throwdown
In any given location in America, one can usually find three local TV stations affiliated with each of the three major broadcast networks. I suppose, in some of the more populated regions, you'll find news outfits that are affiliated with the Fox Network. Where I live, we really only see local affiliates for CBS, NBC … Continue reading Meteorological Throwdown
So Many Cries
Something is clearly wrong with me. When I was a teenager, maybe 14 or 15, I remember reading To Kill a Mockingbird. I even saw the movie and a stage version. I don't remember getting emotional during any of those experiences with that story. Recently, I downloaded the audiobook to listen to as I drove … Continue reading So Many Cries
Show Your Work!
It was a command that I'm sure most of us heard when we were growing up. Educators teaching math love to say it as they assign homework or pass out quizzes and exams. I heard them say, "Show your work!" so many times that I imagined math teachers would shout their mantra from the rooftops. … Continue reading Show Your Work!
Should We Cancel? Should We Delay?
Snow days are inevitable where I live. The county administrators in southwest Virginia don't get quite as panicky as I noticed they did in North Carolina when I was living outside of Raleigh. They're a little better equipped to handle what comes each winter. Though I'm sure the people further north look at our 4"-6" … Continue reading Should We Cancel? Should We Delay?
An Unexpected Break
Guys, last week was AWESOME! I know that I've complained about the kind of winter we've been experiencing here in southwest Virginia. Temperatures have been fluctuating up and down, like our local climate zone can't really determine which season it's supposed to be. Sure, we've had a lot of really cold days, but they always … Continue reading An Unexpected Break
The Non-Delinquency of Minors
Sometimes I look around the classrooms in which I work and am amazed by a select handful of students. You see, it's been my experience that the vast majority of school children these days are disrespectful, lack common sense, and are generally unable to sit still for more than an average of 2.47 seconds. But … Continue reading The Non-Delinquency of Minors
The Haunted Paper Curtain
I spend a good portion of my day observing several students in a first grade classroom. In this room are five windows along the far wall. The teacher has hung up large pieces of butcher paper to act as makeshift curtains which partially block the bright, early morning sun. There is a strange phenomenon surrounding … Continue reading The Haunted Paper Curtain
The Confusing Middle 