I miss you, Writer's Workshop

I, for a really long time,  have kept a writer's notebook and a quotebook.  My writer's notebook is for when I hear things I like or ideas I might want to write about and the quotebook is for great quote clippings.  Aside from this little blog here, I write on paper (old fashioned, I know) at home.  All the good details are in my journals (sorry you all miss so many good stories).  I find writing one of the most enjoyable things to do (though not as fun as finding the perfect anything at JCPenney).  That's the only thing I don't love about my job.  I don't really get to teach writing as an art.  I loved finding a good Mentor Text and doing a great read aloud.  I loved brainstorming and doing a whole class writing before sending my friends to their seats for 15 minutes of silent writing before I began conferencing. I loved sharing what I wrote with the class as well as listening to their finished products.  I loved the whole growing writers process.  Even though my new position is super rewarding and absolutely perfect for me, I still find myself wishing for moments when I could pull out Shrek, break out the chart paper and brainstorm some good leads. 

I remember

ten years ago today more vividly than most days.  My class and I were in the middle of DOL when the other teacher at my grade level showed up at my door with sheer panic in her eyes.  I went out to the hall to ask what was wrong, and she just blurted, "Terrorists have attacked the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon."  I remember standing there not quite understanding the magnitude of what she was saying because I hadn't seen the news report and then asking her if her ex husband was ok (he was stationed at the Pentagon and it turned out that he was fine).  I was visibly upset when I returned to my room, and later when I read the "official statement" from the office I cried.  And today, watching the ceremony at Ground Zero I went back to my feelings that day.  It was hard, senseless, and something I won't ever forget.  Not because I can't forget it, but because I don't want to.

Just how far...

would you go to ensure the success of a student?  In my new position, I have found that it is pretty dang far.  For example, today I (as a result of some things I can't really tell you all about due to that pesky confidentiality) ran a quarter of a mile and did the monkey bars.  I don't love exercising (I prefer to lose weight when needed by not eating).  I sometimes run for exercise, but I don't love it.  But today, I was an active participant in PE because I love my students.  I'm not telling this because now I think I'm some sort of rockstar.  I'm not (my less than stellar moments outweigh the rockstar by 4:1 if I'm being honest).  I'm telling this because I want everyone to know I love my job.  To most (including but not limited to my DH) it seems like I may have finally gone off the deep end.  When I tell people what I do, I get the wide eyed slow back away most of the time.  But, I absolutely love it (to quote BIST, "Even when it's hard").  I love my students and the puzzles they bring to the table every day.  But most of all I love being challenged to bring about success regardless of the cost.