Antsy

I am an antsy lady. Slept again on the couch last night, and I am going CRAZY! I am not the one who is hooked up to machines, but being in the hospital is just not restful. People coming and going all night long. I feel for Blaine, because he is the one being poked and prodded. This is a first for me, this hospital stay. The last time Blaine was here we were engaged, about a month from being married. At the time, it was a bit easier because I couldn't spend the night. I visited, but I didn't feel like I was living here. Now, I don't know what to do with myself, how to stay out of the way, or how to be helpful.

Just got back from a mini-shopping trip. I bought a book, a magazine for each of us, and some fresh fruit. I thought that would make me feel a little more joyful.

I am reading The Help.

I also bought Real Simple.

And Wired for my love.

In the Dog House

I should be going to bed right now, but I don't really have a bed. I am sleeping on the couch. No, I am not in trouble, nor am I having any sort of marital stress. Unless you count being in the hospital. Blaine is over in his bed (in room 4312 at the University of Utah Hospital---visit us!). So, I am sleeping on my little pull out couch, five feet away from my sweetheart, and those are just five feet too many.

I have not been home for a long time, and I am READY TO BE HOME. From July 10-22 I was in Reno. Blaine picked me up from the airport and we got home close to midnight on the 22. We had a house guest for three days and then turned around and drove back up to SLC for a spontaneous hospital stay. I slept here for two nights, then went back to Nephi last night so I could report to jury duty this morning. I was not selected, so then I drove back to Salt Lake. Back and forth. Rushing back here so I can sleep on an uncomfy couch, to be in the same room as Blaine and thus feel some level of sanity. Sigh. I can't wait to be home.


Please, stop in and say hi. Company totally rocks. 

Home!

I am heading home today. Yippee! And, sigh. It's been a good time.

Reflection: Eloquent and Cheesy

Yesterday when we were on tour the Reno Gazette Journal staffers waxed eloquent and "cheesy" about why they love their jobs.

Do I feel the same way about teaching?
I love being a teacher. The only time I have not enjoyed teaching was when I was a student teacher, and I just do not think that counts. Now, in my own classroom, with my own students and curriculum, I cannot imagine any other profession. I have stopped bringing so much work home because now I have a husband to love, but that does not mean that I love teaching any less. I love discovering ways to be better in my classroom. I love interacting with the students in all of their incredibly goofiness. I miss my students as soon as summer starts. Yep. Cheesy.

Do I feel the same way about journalism?
The moment I heard that the Clarion advisor position was up for grabs, I went right to my principal and asked for it to be mine. I have zero regrets, as it has provided me with more insight into the life of a high school student than any other position. My Clarion staff (and I speak of them collectively, with all years combined) amazes me. Those students are hopeful and energetic and insightful. They understand acutely how to create, and feel the burden of group work in a very real and sometimes painful way. They brainstorm. They collaborate. They create.  Then they turn around and do it again next month.

I love my students.

Fun in Reno

See some of the fun things I have been doing here.

Reflection: Social Media

Today we talked about social media and I feel a little proud about the steps I have made in that regard. I recognize a power that we still need to use. In advertising for the class reunion (which is tonight) I relied on the blog, and the Facebook page. Over 80 classmates joined the group in a matter of days. For the school newspaper, we formed a Twitter account and a Facebook page. And yet, we have much to do.

Consider the following. Let's say I am teaching and I make a reference to Sophia Loren. A 15 year old will go to Google to find photos and information. A 14 year old? That student will go to . . . YouTube. For some reason that fascinates me. Think about it.

Reflection: How Am I Doing?

Today was the most difficult day so far. We were visited by a professor who acted the part of Horace Greeley, famed New York Tribune editor. When he finished his speech, we had to write a feature story, citing three sources and totaling 350 words. In less than one hour. I started to panic. My hands started to sweat. I AM NOT A WRITER! I used to be, but that was then.

I wrote and edited and then a professor from the UNR School of Journalism critiqued and edited my story. I was a good student, aware and willing and conscientious...but I was terrified. I feel a great deal of sympathy for my students, those students whom I ask to produce writing spontaneously and well, with all sorts of seemingly arbitrary rules. Whew. I am relieved to be finished for the day.

Reflection: Fault Lines

Dori Maynard, president of the Maynard Institute flew in today to talk about Fault Lines. Those are those things that could cause us to erupt, those things that impact the way we view information. They are: race, gender, generation, class, and geography. We were asked to reflect tonight about these lines and whether or not we feel up to the job of navigating these issues. I do. When I was trained to be an RA we learned about inclusive language. That is a lesson I internalized and pass on to my students every year.

A very inspirational and exciting day!

Differentiated Instruction...Pudding included!

Reflection: Psychological Incentives

Please forgive my temporary obsession with newspaper. I am supposed to report somewhere, and I would rather write on a blog that already exists than create a new one.
_________________

We are gearing up for dinner. After dinner, we form editorial groups and then work for another hour and a half.

I already have new tools in my kit. The most important one from today for me and my students is the idea of psychological incentives. Somewhere, in some adolescent development class (okay, at Westminster College in 2002) I learned about the human brain. But I was still a teenager myself, so I promptly forgot it all. Karl Grubaugh talked about students wanting five things, all things that I can provide in my classroom that are FREE. They are as follows: a sense of belonging, power, freedom, fun, and positivity.

I think I am great about the positivity part, not so good on the power part. But, if I become more conscious of how these incentives play into my newspaper staff, all of us will benefit. And, I won't have to bribe anyone with chocolate.

More of the Same...kind of

I am in Reno! (see earlier post)

I arrived yesterday and on the shuttle to the hotel I looked around and saw...teachers. Six of them. I could tell they were teachers because they looked just like me! All of us are here for the same thing. We all come from similar situations: rural schools, new to teaching journalism, enthusiastic about the possibilities.

The sessions so far have been fascinating. We are fed like royalty, and I have a 14th floor room overlooking the west mountains. We arrived to our classroom to find swag bags full of he following: Sharpies, post-it's, lotion, sunscreen, chap stick, and a stainless steel water bottle.

Will take pictures later if I have a minute.