The 16- and 17-year-old students filed into my classroom, one weary soul after another. It was 1:30 PM, exactly 5 hours and 45 minutes after they had arrived for the day. I studied their expressions, their sunken shoulders, their sleep-deprived and nearly dead eyes, and I wondered to myself, “What […]
By Rachel Brandt of Deleting the Adjectives I remember the first and only real sex education class I ever had. I was 17, sitting in a senior world religions class, shifting uncomfortably in my standard issue desk as I tried to figure out why I was looking at a freeze-framed […]
By Richard Black of The Unfit Father I’m always pleased when I realize my daughter has inherited a few of my better qualities. In addition to my “come hither” stare, wide birthing hips and ability to belch, Darcy has been blessed with…well, I suppose that’s probably it, at least when it comes […]
By Kristina Hammer of The Angrivated Mom Sitting in a child-sized chair that is forcing my knees to my chest, I resist the urge to get up and walk out. To run away before anyone notices I’m here. I don’t want to be here. This well-put-together woman with the strong […]
By Julia Arnold of FranticMama.com Whether we like to admit it or not, some stereotypes aren’t too far off the mark. In the case of my fellow Big Ten graduates, I would venture to bet that most of us share certain stereotypical similarities, especially revolving around college sports and longstanding rivalries. […]
I am a teacher. Often, I have to repeat those words to myself. Roll them around in my mouth for a bit and let them slide off my tongue. Breathe them in and then out again. In. Out. Let them settle into my brain, my soul, my heart. Especially my […]
By Tara Jordan of Book Birdie It’s dusk. Chilly. I’m holding my five-year-old son’s hand as we walk the streets of Boston. He’s wearing cleats, shin guards, and a neon yellow uniform. He’s number nine and proud of it. He’s also wailing. And has been since we started the mile-long […]
Want to know the truth about preventing mass shootings in schools? It can’t be done. Not as long as we continue to live in a gun-hungry culture. One-hundred percent prevention of mass shootings in schools is not possible, nor is it realistic, especially by violent means. Problems with suggestions […]