Category Archives: Personal

I think the name of the category speaks for itself.

Life lessons…

after school on wednesday my nemesis colleague and i were walking out the building discussing the current issues of alcohol and ecstasy use facing our current freshman when i bumped into one of my first students in LASUD. i hadn’t … Continue reading

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Divine in thy youth…

Last night i was lucky enough to attend the final night of the brave new voices poetry competition for young people with students from Manual Arts. The night was an amazing reminder of the power of words… As young people … Continue reading

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Why my job is awesome…

after thinking about my earlier post today i felt somewhat ungrateful and a bit too negative. i didn’t want to convey the impression that i was less than happy with my decision to leave john muir and travel with my … Continue reading

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The Library: A safe place?

of all the things that get in the way of me ever completing a book that i start, the last thing i thought would be a barrier is the library at the high school i work at. yet that has … Continue reading

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Victorious

After procrastinating for five years I finally did it! I am now untouchable. I can sit at my desk and instruct the future of our nation while reading the paper and falling asleep (all things i witnessed in my five … Continue reading

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Not until you’re ready

I told myself I would stay at John Muir at least until the class of 2010 graduated. Today that promise to myself has been fulfilled. As I prepare for my last day with middle school students for the foreseeable future, … Continue reading

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Stories and other life lessons

this page is from a book i am reading at the moment entitled The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. apologies for the small print but i felt that the dialogue that these two characters are engaged in reflects an … Continue reading

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I got some good news…

Thhus week a judge ruled that layoffs solely based on seniority adversely affect schools (like the one I have called home for the last 5 years) unjustly due to the higher concentration of new teachers. http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-judge-blocks-school-layoffs,0,4707626.story Our school, like many … Continue reading

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Inspired by kids

My kids inspire me everyday… Some days more than others admittedly, but on Monday when 3 of my students were in class doing what they normally do, I was inspired. After running 26.2 miles the previous day, the marathoners took … Continue reading

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R.I.P. Mr. Zinn

enough time has passed where i think the sudden sense of surprise and loss has also lessened the impact that my attempt to write something meaningful might have produced… rethinking schools does a much better job here. i have included … Continue reading

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