Back in the Saddle Again

My Homeroom Class: Grades 8-10

School has begun, and I'm back in the saddle again. This is probably the best start I've had to a year so far. I'm staying on top of my work, managing to stay relatively balanced in terms of work, leisure, spiritual life, marriage etc, and I love my students! In my homeroom I have six freshmen and sophomores and seven eighth graders. In my 5/6 History and Language Arts classes I have a total of 16 students--a much larger class than anticipated. I'm especially enjoying teaching my 7/8 American History class. They are--and always have been--such enthusaistic learners. I've never enjoyed lecturing as much as I do with them. They never seem bored and I try not to be boring. Just this past week we had a long discussion on the Salem witch trials and a laugh-filled lecture on the finer points of "no taxation without representation." It's actually fun!


My classroom, the day before school started. August 12, 2007




The Clipboard of Power: My students often say that my clipboard is my "life" and it pretty much is. I have it with me at all times and virtually everything I need to know and need to do can be found on it's pages. It's a pretty simple set-up: a pad of paper that is replaced each quarter, and a pen clipped to the top.

Some of my 8-10 girls


"M." I've known this guy and his twin brother since they were in kindergarten. What a privilege to be his teacher in his 8th grade year. An amazing young man.





Babs in full-principal mode. This video is especially for Barbara's family, who I think, will enjoy a little snippet of their daughter laying down the law as principal of her school on the first day of classes.