Writing Teacher Contract

This is what works for me, and I think it will work for you: 1. I won’t read your first draft. I don’t ask anyone to read mine. As Aaron Neville would say, “Baby, my time is too expensive.” I’ll give you points for those first few paragraphs, and then send you off to write […]

The One

I teach about 90 juniors a year. Ten or fifteen of them will, in the first month of school, identify themselves as troubled. Academically, emotionally, cognitively, what have you. Students who won’t turn in work, won’t study, or won’t shut up or stay awake in class. About seven of those fifteen will leave: change schools, […]

The Humanity

I didn’t say this because I wasn’t sure I should. I’m a teacher, and I’m also a human being. I know, I know, it’s hard to believe. First I don’t sleep in my classroom… then this. People from the National Writing Project don’t ask me to be ashamed of spending time writing. They softened my […]

On Offense

There are two kinds of teachers: conservative ones who valiantly sacrifice themselves to maintain our nation’s greatness, and teachers who won’t shut up and do as they’re told. As you may know, I’m the second kind. Both kinds of teachers can have self-esteem issues. In a capitalist consumerist country, no matter how many times people […]