Then There's That Semester That Crandall Teaches an Action Research Course For the First Time

Spatial Arrangements
Controversial Issues in YA Texts
Dialogic Learning
Historical Controversies
Canine Therapy
Digital Storytelling in K-3 ELL Classrooms
Classroom Arrangement
Historical Empathy
Behavioral Management
Theater in the Mainstream Classroom
Reading Fluency
Deleuzian Postmodern Theory
Ed-Technology, K-3
YA Lit for All Students
Best Practices in Service Learning
Male Language Acquisition in a H.S. Spanish Class

Phew. There was a lot of planning, guidance, reading, assessment, additional guidance, coaching, mentoring, revisitation to original questions, drafting, revision, feedback, data collection and additional guidance in this 15-weeks! All of my students had different questions and although I wanted 10-page papers, I'm quickly learning I'll be lucky if they can keep them to 20-pages. Here's a shout-out to all the quantitative and qualitative methodology instructors I've taken in the past. It's one thing to be a student in these courses, but it is a whole other breed of animal to be the one who directs and guides the projects.

I learned a lot. Actually, as students presented last night the nerd in me wanted another semester to extend the individual inquires to find new knowledge and additional "I-wonders" from the information that was collected. These are in-service and pre-service teachers who have very, very busy lives. Still, they dedicated a semester to their personal interests, asked questions, read broadly, and designed action research projects that were relevant to them.

It's interesting, because much of this process is similar to the National Writing Project work, but the focus isn't only on writing instruction alone (drat).

I'm waking up this morning proud of the presentations that came last night and 100% curious about what the graduate students will write up. This is hard work - demanding - but fascinating. I'm offering gingersnaps to the students in recognition that none of this easy, but in appreciation that this crew gave their best.

Happy last day of May.

Tasted a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (with Minor Accomplishments), So Entering Another Work Week. Well....

First of all, any and all who found the time to get tickets and sacrifice 3-hours of your weekend life to the last of the Marvel movies, End Game (who are we kidding, there will be more), I hate you. I received emails and texts, read online posts and know, I will not be focused again until I catch up with others. I secretly was hoping that Chitunga would wait until he came home to see it, but he's young - there's no way in hell he would wait. He went on Friday. Now I feel like I've totally lost out.

I did, however, catch up on grading, worked on writing projects, cleaned somewhat, shopped, and am ready for the last week of classes.

But End Game. @#$@#$! Screw you all who saw it. I should have, but I will need it to be the perfect time and moment. All across the cable universe, they've played all the films leading up to it (with those stupid commercials that interrupt the enjoyment) and although I tried to pretend it was a simulacra of the real thing, it wasn't.

Jessica and William came by, and we discussed summer work and other projects leading to the Fall, and Pam came by to use the CWP laptop to finish final projects of her own, but somehow I feel cheated from a theater-experience....like I'm anti-American because I didn't see the movie. I will. I know I will, and if I know myself (which I do), I will be lost, unfocused and bitter until that time comes.

Oh, Mondays. Soon, you won't have the tragic, depressive pull that you currently have, but right now in April, you still do. This week, the projects begin pouring in (and I'm ready for them). But, I'm already thinking to 2019-2020 (and End Game) so I'm very much ready to move on.

Can it be Friday already?

Dog Day Afternoons. Well, early evenings, with a walk, cocktails, friends, and then cooking show marathons on a day that looked warm, but brought back February and March temperatures.The dogs have it right...find a human and cuddle up with them.

The morning was successful with writing, and the early afternoon with office work for CWP with the graduate assistant and her daughter who tested all the markers and sharpened all the pencils. Summer is coming before we know it.

Back to the cooking shows. I never seem to find anything on the Food Network to watch, but whenever Pam has a gathering, she finds these marathons that are addicting: food shopping with strange ingredients, 30 minutes of preparation, then extraordinary plates created and tasted by judges. Uh, that is not an intelligence I seem to have. It's impressive.

And today will be for grading, tightening the bow on a writing project, and gathering with Ubuntu friends to catch up and to think ahead about the summer and next steps.

I'm hoping it will warm up a little, too. My bones need a little love from the winds.

Glamis The Wonder Dog Wants the Rain To Go Away. She Feels Cheated By Shorter Walks

"Dad. Dad. Take me for a walk. Dad. Please."

This was the look I got all night as the rain poured down. We did get out for a shorter walk, but the rain pushed us back inside. Glamis the Wonder Dog went into sigh mode immediately - like ultimate depression with huge sighs and whines like I had control of the deluge.

Nope. Mother Nature caused this and I believe it is in pursuit of May flowers.

Yesterday, a day in the office allowed me to see a little more light, and I'm hoping another day, today, may help me to get on top of grants and numbers closing out two grants, and kicking off two others. The University's new accounting system which is supposed to save time on work has actually quadrupled it, but all of us across campus are doing all we can to stay afloat. There are perks to the new program and now that I figured them out, I realize just how I can organize the numbers to move ahead. I just need whiteboards and time to space the accounts out.

I also got a chance to see the first half of Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams put on at Central High School, although I had to leave early (a) because I was exhausted and (b) because the cough was annoying to others. Both made me realize I needed (c) more sleep, which really is my primary goal this weekend, although I'm not good at it.

The rain is subsiding, however, so Glamis will get long weekend walks. I'll make up for lost time. I promise.

And After a Long Day, Much on the Agenda, and an Evening of Crazy, It's the J.C. Time Machine That Made My Day

As I took part in a National Book Award recognition meeting, conferenced with my cousin over Hoops4Hope work, and tried to process a day of meeting after meeting after meeting, my little sister shared with me, my sister and my mom, my nephew's music concert at school where he played the mad scientist who had control of the school's time machine - they kids could go back in time to summon up music of yesteryear (like the Beach Boys).

This is one for the record book, because it's youth, it's fun, it's playful and it makes parental participation in a school performance fun, hysterical, nostalgic and proud. I wish I could be there in person to see all the kids in action: the singing, the lines, the storytelling and the commitment to the arts that my nephew's school encouraged.

And today it is Friday. I have a deadline. I have a summer to plan. I have a house to clean. My lawn, which is green and plush like Chitunga desired, needs to be mowed and trimmed (holy change of scenery over the last 3 years - he made a good call. We went from dirt, dustbowl to grass wonderland (although I think it is on more steroids as I've been with my cough).

I definitely am on a T.G.I.F. motif, and I will be on campus to do more (the summer months will be here before we know it).

Breathe in. Sneeze. Breathe out. Cough. It's allergy season.

All in all, however, Congratulations, Jacob Charles! You were a hit and I know this because we all loved seeing the photographs and video clips.

Inspired by @JackieWoodson in a Philosophy Course - A Collaborative Art Project By Undergrads

Yesterday was the Service Learning Appreciation & Celebration Event at Fairfield University, where I watched many faculty and community partners share their service-learning projects, and had the pleasure of seeing awards given and a new cohort of service-minded faculty being announced for next year.

For the last 3-years I've worked almost weekly with Columbus K-8 School in Bridgeport, Connecticut, working on building a writing community and supporting literacy initiatives. The work began with my graduate courses, but when I was asked to take over the undergraduate version of Philosophy of Education, I quickly asked, "Can I make it a service-learning course?"

There really wasn't a choice.

We read Freire, Rizga, Dewey, Addams, Greene, Noddings, Ladson-Billings and many more. Unique to our approach this semester, however, was pairing the Educational Philosophers with writer Jacqueline Woodson, who was selected for Fairfield Public Library's One Book, One Town. I was able to purchase copies of The Day You Begin for all the teachers at Columbus, and donate a class set of Harbor Me to the 6th grade team ((it quickly became a hit, especially for several of the teachers who felt like the book was written for their students).

Throughout the semester, the undergraduates had opportunities to mentor the 6th graders as they came to campus for various activities. The one-on-one discussion about the purpose of education, the philosophers we were reading, the curriculum in the middle school, and passages from Harbor Me was fantastic. Colleagues asked me how I did this and I simply responded, "I taught to the undergrads by modeling what the philosophers were saying. The 6th graders would read passages from the college books I assigned and we'd apply knowledge together. No one seemed to have difficulty. In fact, they thought it was quite cool."

Of course, Jacqueline Woodson's writing helped us to link much of the conversation. Her books talked to the kids and they were engaged. They modeled the philosophical thinking that academics have expressed for 100 years.

Yesterday, the last day, I had my undergraduates come with art pieces I assigned by giving them triangles to trace onto something else with the directions, "Respond artistically in the shape you were given to the following questions: Why education? Why knowledge? Why School?" The result was 26 different triangles that I new would create a frame for the words UBUNTU - the S. African philosophy of humble togetherness, community, listening and responding. My students read articles from S. African scholars so were familiar with the humanitarian belief.

In 30-minutes of sharing, we created a gift - referencing Alan Luke's writing on Pedagogy as Gift....teaching is providing the gift of knowledge and thinking to the next generation. None of us can do this alone, and we all need to be in it together. We're crafty as individuals, but look at the art we make when we are part of a larger community creating together.

I will give the present to the 6th graders and their school at their end-of-the-year celebration. Every student in this course this semester is a better individual because of how much they were touched by learning from and with the Columbus School students.

Who would you have harbored? Ms. Lavern asked us.
I thought of this as Amari left the classroom with his knapsack on his shoulder and Ashton looked down at his hands. (p. 76, Harbor Me)

For a semester, we were lucky to harbor one another, but also have guidance from a great writer. We are all thankful.

Hmmm. The Process Seemed Vaguely Familiar. Like A Flashback. But I Couldn't Put My Finger on What It Was

The cough came in January. It did me in, but I beat the Mucinex Monsters. They returned in February for a short stay, but I used Ginger All. They attempted a comeback in March, too, but I kicked them out.

Then allergy season hit: the grasses, the pollen, the shedding dog. It hit me first in early April (on top of it and in control), but then hit me while in Syracuse for Easter. I was running great than all of a sudden I began coughing.

Returned to CT, took it easy on Monday and only walked, and got up to run today and there was too much pain. I needed to cough but nothing would come up. So I went to work. As the day went on, the breathing became harder. I could feel the oozing of phlegm filling my lungs and rotting there. It hurt.

I did afternoon PD and checked into an Emergency Care. I really don't know how to do doctors, but I did my best. They said it would be a 45 minute wait, but it was like two minutes.

My vitals were fine, although my oxygen was a little low, and I had a high temperature. The doctor came in right away and listened to my story before doing the breathing things. He simply reported, the lungs are quiet - they're working against an infection. This is an asthma attack, but I'm not diagnosing you with asthma.

Okay. Fix me.

I did a treatment nebulation there, then received steroids (hoping to be extremely cut in the a.m), and cough suppressants (although I really want to cough it all out). I'm allegic to everything but plastic gloves, so I asked if it was possible to blow up one and step into it for a few weeks. I didn't expect a laugh. I didn't receive one.

It's so weird. I've been running great, sleeping great, and thinking great, but this crud keeps attacking me. I'm not the only - several graduate students have been fighting the same thing (although they gave in and went to the doctor a lot earlier than I did).

I'm a horrible patient. I get so frustrated when I know I need to sleep and chill-out. It's too hard for me, but I'll do what I can.

Phew. Ugh. Yuck.

Dug Deep For a Writing Activity Taught to Me by a 6th Grader. It Was Superb. Youth Up. They Know the Magic.

Maybe it was 20 or so years ago, but I remember a 6th grader from the Brown School sharing a prompt with me that was wonderful. He brought a suitcase into my room and dumped its content telling me, "I grabbed the wrong suitcase from the conveyor belt after my family trip. Who do you think this belongs to?" 

Well, I asked my seniors to respond to the request. It was one way to explore character development, but last night I used it as a data analysis tool for an Education Action Research class. I used the idea and brought a bag of goods in and asked my graduate students to do 'artifact analysis' to piece together what the story might be. In the bag was a wig, fancy glasses, a wand, a book on German Nazis, a flashlight, a wrench, lightbulbs, a copy of Robert's Rules, a container of Hungarian cookies, a pearl necklace, a crown for a 60th birthday and a note that read,

Hey,
I was going to leave this on the table, but decided I needed to go. You know where I am and why I left. We’ve had this discussion before. The last time, your mother came over to be with you. I phoned her before I left and said that I was going to mail you this note. I found it in my bag and need to put it in an envelope and get a stamp before I do.
Kelly and Shaun know. I also phoned in to work. There’s an ultimatum before my eyes and, as always, I needed to act quickly. 
Paul knows where the credit card is.
XoXo,
CRM

From there, I ask everyone, what can you piece together from the data. It was a better experiment than I anticipated and groups put together a wide variety of stories, making their case from the items they found from the pile that was dumped on the table.

From there I moved to student writing and how one might make a case about a kid-writer and we discussed how data collected is typically much more abundant than what can be written. Analysis is about looking at the data thoroughly and coming up with claims that can be made across the data.

I think it resonated, and although I planned the evening to be a shortened class, the activities lasted the entire night. I have admitted that teaching this course is extremely tough, but as the instructor it is extremely useful. I gain so much more insight on methodology, literature review, and context for the research than I've ever had before. I love it - not sure if I ever want to teach the class again, but definitely more optimistic about the experience than ever before.

I will definitely find a way to use this activity in similar ways in the future. It really was useful and intriguing, especially for students.

Okay, Tuesday. What do you got for me?

Thumbs Up For @mattdelapena and SUPERMAN: DAWNBREAKER (2019) - A Book I Needed Right Now

I've been telling everyone that I jumped into the 21st Century this Spring (part of my Chrysalis year of cocooning and (re)figuring teaching, research and service) and I now have a Smart TV, Smart Phone, and even an Alexis Echo. When I made the decision to visit family in CNY, I also downloaded Audible through Amazon, and was able to get a copy of Matt De La Peña's Superman: Dawnbreaker. I heard him allude to this piece of work a year or so ago and what I remember him saying is that Superman is an alien, too...it's just that he has legal status through his adoption by Jonathan and Martha Kent. I've never been a DC Comics fanatic, but remember vividly watching the Christopher Reeve film from 1978 as a six-years old. I loved every second of the movie (and with a cable box, equipped with its long wire to the couch, I probably watched the it 30 times throughout my childhood - that's what elementary and middle school kids did at the time).

The SUPERMAN: DAWNBREAKER (public by DC Comics with Penguin Random House) audiobook was narrated by Andrew Eldon, whose voice at times comes across like Bat-Dad of the You-Tube Batman fame (well, Val Kilmer, as Batman). His voice was gruff at times, but  captivating and I quickly became hooked on the storyline over my 4-hour trek to Syracuse and then 4 days later, the 4-hour return.

In De La Peña's book, Clark is a focused, genuine adolescent and I love the bildungsroman as he came to terms with the strange superpowers he has and his tremendous passions for his community of Smallville, Kansas (a metaphor for everywhere U.S.A.). The community, however, is disrupted when corporations realize that the soil around craters on the Clark farm have chemical usefulness - powerful ingredients that was caused by the landing from Krypton when Jor-El and Lara sent their baby boy, Kal-El, to earth in hopes he might be saved from their own planet's destruction (and perhaps be of use to another planet)

Clark's best friend, Lana Lane, as well as his crush, Gloria, help to move the story along, especially as brown and black individuals begin to disappear. There is a protest amongst of many in the community  when they learn that friends and neighbors are mysteriously being picked up and taken away. This, and the town is voting on a new law to stop and question anyone who is 'other' in the town. In De La Peña's story, the nefarious plot by CEOs and scientists to take over Smallville, the nation, and perhaps the world, causes Clark to wrestle with his identity as a high school boy who also happens to have incredible powers. It is his story of stepping up and out into the world as one not afraid to fight what is wrong. Of course, he's not the only one. His friend, Bryan, too becomes a hero as the story unfolds, as well (and I was glad to get home and check how De La Peña spelled his name...glad he went with the "y" - ha!)

Nations believe in superheroes, because we need them.  We need  those who have the moral center of family, modesty, integrity and doing what is right, especially with a mission for - at least in this country - democracy, during a time when so many prefer the other direction.

I love that Clark has respect, admiration, and absolute love and respect for his adoptive parents. As the audiobook ended, I wanted more. I'm in need of such stories: hope, belief, and the knowledge that sometimes good does win in the end.

Overall, the story was captivating, intriguing, and one for a new generation of American readers, especially young ones living during a time where Young Adult Novels are booming.

I should note, too, that I didn't make my mother happy. She's not only a Matt de la Peña fan, she's got a huge crush on him. She told everyone over Easter break how We Were Here is one of her favorite books she's ever read. I brought the hard copy of SUPERMAN: DAWNBREAKER home with me and told her I was listening to the audiobook. She didn't understand why I wouldn't leave the hardcover behind. I simply said, "I need this book for my summer. I will be sure to get you a copy soon." That was cruel of me, I know.

The focus this summer, with my colleague Dr. Susan James at Western Florida State University, is The Superpower of Hope. I can't wait to share this book with teachers and youth! We need a little Clark (and some Bryan) in our worlds (wink wink).

And With Another CNY Sunset, That's a Wrap on the Short-Lived Holiday Weekend

I am very thankful to my sister, Cynde, for hosting the 2019 Easter holiday event at her house and for opening her house to those who could make it: ham, my mom's horseradish sauce, potatoes, green beans, squash, and rolls. It was delicious and we lucked out with wonderful weather - the rain didn't come as it was predicted, so Dylan and I were able to help lay down more concrete for my father and, well, he was also able to pick up his new car. A lot was accomplished in a short period of time. I even got a run in.

Later in the evening, Chitunga and I were also able to meet Rhiannon out at Hafners while she ate and we could catch up. It's hard to pack everything in over a short period of time, but I did as much as I could.

This morning, I drive back to the hustle of work life and bet back on the summer train as it is all about to take off. I wish I could say I caught up on all grading, but I was not 100% successful. Almost there, but not all the way. I will have time when I get back in the afternoon/evening.

Thanks to the family and the friends for all the love and joy. These trips are always short-lived, but 100% wonderful.

Thank you, Easter Bunny. Bawk Bawk!

When In Cuse, Always The Clam Bar. Great To See the Twins - They Were Able to Take Time from Work

Mike, Dylan, Abu, Lossine, Butch and I all met at the Clam Bar for lunch and to briefly catch up on our lives while we could. It's hard to schedule social time with everyone fully employed now, but we found a few seconds around lunch and while Dylan was out truck shopping.

Chitunga made it back from Montreal safely (didn't love the traffic) and he caught the tail end of a fire-side chat before the rain deluge began. I figured I'd continue contributing, so split wood for my father - Tunga will have to finish that when Syracuse dries again.

I decided I'm suffering from a double dose of pollen infestation - first with the burst in CT, followed by the burst in CNY which comes a few weeks later. I feel like cats have crawled into my nose and chest so they can die. Lovely time of year.

I love this photo, but wish I also got Dylan and Mike in it too, especially since this morning Facebook reminisced that it was 9 years ago today that the twins and I took Dylan to miniature golf. At lunch, we talked about memories, flashing back to various milestones and events throughout the years. Dylan, of course, is much taller than Abu and Lossine now, and I is a high school graduate who is serving in the U.S. Army.

Phew. 

Conquered a Tremendous Task Before the Deluge of Rain Hits Syracuse for the Next Three Days

At Christmas, I realized that my parent's pool cover and sand bags all blew into their pool during some storm, and was trapped in ice. I wanted to fix it then, but getting a tarp detached from ice is, well, impossible. So, after a long run, and then a walk with the dog, I decided to tackle the pool. My father isn't as nimble as he used to be and as his fingers froze and his knee cramped, I told him he was a wonderful human paper weight. He could stand, while I bent down and slowly got everything out of the pool.

They had a disastrous summer last year, as sand kept blowing out of the filter into the pool. It was grey, green, and unusable (until they learned the filter was put on wrong). I kept hearing about the tragic summer from Connecticut. I didn't want this for them again, so I promised that the one decent day I had, I would do all I could to get the pool summer ready.

The bags are out and cleaned, rolled up and put away in the shed. The tarp has been hosed and groomed, and the leaves have been skimmed out from the bottom (well, as many as I could get). The whole event took about 3 hours to complete and then I went to Watertown with Cynde to pick up Dylan from Ft. Drum. Running yesterday and then driving 4.5 hours to my parents, then working today after running and driving too and from the base has every part of my body throbbing.

But it's done. And before the rain. Which is coming. For the next three days.

I'm feeling accomplished and like a major goal for my home visit was met.

Now, with indoor life, I can grade.

Fast Easter Transitions. Started the Day with a 2.5 Hour Turbo Course, and Ended My Day in Syracuse

Started the day with a bit of an Easter-egg hunt in Donnarumma Ding Dong. I didn't hide them in difficulty locations; in fact, I let the whole hunt take place in less than a minute, because I didn't want to bother my colleagues in their offices.

Looking at the calendar, I realized that a week from yesterday was the last scheduled class for the semester, so I had to cover a lot of material quickly so everyone will be set for their final. project.

Listening to my students process this week's reading and reflect on the entire semester made me proud. I love seeing a group of kids come alive with one another at the end of the semester, and finding themselves in a location where they only need one another, and I simply can head to my car and go for a stroll, and they are still on task and learning with and from each other. That's the teaching goal.

As soon as class ended, I headed home to pack up the car and did a 5 mile run (which as stupid, because post-run I sat cramped in a car for 4.5 and when I got out, I was really, really stiff).

On a good note (actually, great, super, fabulous, wow, so happy to be alive note), I downloaded Matt de la Peña's Superman: Dawnbreaker and listened to the first half on the way to my parents. My mind is blown with thinking and I am in  absolute awe from the writer the Matt de la Peña. Superman is an American icon and I love imagining what Superman would do in today's political environment, especially in Smallville, Kansas - the heartlands of the U.S.A.

Superman, too, is an outsider - an alien. And that is why this narrative is rather spectacular...

...more to come when I finish.

I'm Being Honest. I Approach Retirement Parties with Absolute Envy, Appreciation, and Relief. For me? Another 20 Years!

The Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions is applauding, celebrating and appreciating the hard work of several who are retiring this year: Drs. Barbara Wells-Nystrom, Faith-Anne Dohm, Paul Mahoney, Diana Hulse and Virginia Kelly. They will join the much missed Tony Costa, Patricia Calderwood, Deborah Edelman, and Wendy Kohli who also left in recent years.

Yesterday, we celebrated the career accomplishments of "Ginny" Kelly and Paul Mahoney in the Diffley Room of Bellarmine Hall. I shake my head with admiration.

I saw Ginny earlier in the day and said, "I don't know if I want to hug you or punch you." She's a career counselor, so she responded, "Tell me how you really feel?" In my first year at Fairfield she was assigned as a mentor and she would come look at me and laugh, "Oh, Bryan. You are so precious. I hope this place doesn't ruin you." In my first year, I didn't know the ways of the land and how my sense of humor, spirit for life, and optimism would be received in academia - the institute death-eater that it is.

Both Paul and Ginny have given so much - they are the background heroes who do tremendous amounts of work, always approach teaching, service and research with a smile and ambition, and who rarely, RARELY, call attention to themselves. Ginny said, "So, I looked at retiring and the option of not-retiring, and I thought, it's a no-brainer. I want to finish out my life with zest and purpose."

It reminded me of all the colleagues I saw retire at the Brown School, when I was a fledgling teacher and who invested so much into me. It reminds me of my own parents who stepped away from work and no longer had to deal with the grind, chaos, personalities, and viciousness of a workplace. They were done.

I feel old...mid-life...24 years of teaching...and looking at the clock wondering, "Can I really do this for 20 more years?" I'm not sure.

I spent last night pulling together a miraculous (in my opinion) activity for my undergraduate philosophy course, cleaned up my house, and sort of imagined the prospect that I might get away to Syracuse this weekend for Easter (which I really, really, really need).

Lossine said, "Let's do lunch." I suggested, "Let's do the Clam Bar, Bitch." He responded, "Don't you mean Butch." I told him it was a typo. So either Thursday or Friday, Butch, Sue and I will need to do the Clam Bar for lunch. I can't wait.

Retreated: A Day A Way From the Norm To Tackle a Few Writing Projects & Thankful for the Space

The day was planned for a while. A friend loaned her barn to me, an art-spaced used for creating, gaming, stretching and simply allowing the muses to do their thing. Although it started sunny, it quickly grew windy and wet, which was okay for Julie and me, as we both promised one another we'd get together to tackle our own writing projects. I came with a list of items, but had to begin by grading because I didn't meet my Sunday night deadline. Then, I got distracted my another writing project, channeling my friend Sonya who says that when you set out with a big project, sometimes the side projects get more exciting to work on. I accomplished those.

Julie, too, met her goal and submitted work for her dissertation she's working on and we were good about not being distractions to one another. We stayed apart from one another and only occasionally interrupted the flow with humor or the need to move.

Seriously, I was very thankful to be offered such a beautiful space in which to create. Three floors of comfort, one for art, one for writing, and the other to game, although we didn't play pinball or Skee-Doo (and I din't use the urinal).

The light simply came through the windows and we felt blessed to be able to have a day away from our grind so that we could do what we set out to do. The two of us love the writing life, but understand that it takes selfishness and loneliness, that is not the usual routine of classroom teachers (or those of us who work in K-12 schools). Traditionally, we're in the occupation of giving and doing for others, so the distractions (monkey brain as Natalie Goldberg calls it) usually impedes the good intentions. We were both amazed by how much we could accomplish when we simply shut out the rest of the world and pay attention to ourselves, our own work, and the thoughts we wish to express to others. The day simply felt great (one for her spring break and the day off I gave in-practice teachers in my graduate course).

I had to laugh, though, because as soon as I dropped off Julie in the Target parking lot in Trumbull, I got behind a yellow machine that traveled two miles per hour. There were other machines in the area and construction workers that wouldn't allow me or the cars behind me to pass. It was frustrating, but I took it as a symbolic sign that this the life I'm more accustomed to living.

And here comes Tuesday: a day of meetings, and then meetings, followed by meetings. I spent the rest of my evening working on the turbo class for Wednesday as it is the last instructional day for the course and I knew it would get zero attention today.

Newsflash: Easter fluctuates and this year's celebration is really, really late. The result? There is little time for courses when the students return from the break. With award ceremonies and end-of-the-semester gatherings, there is little no space on the calendar upon the short break. In fact, it's chaos.

But I have a day of respite to fuel me for it and I am thankful.

Trying to Find My Center On a Monday, When I Realize Time is Not On My Side, But Expectations Are

I thought I was clever to respect the spring breaks of in-practice teachers, so that I'd find space in my work-week to chisel out time for myself. During the University's spring break, I worked each and every day participating in the Jacqueline Woodson event, professional development for K-12 schools and the Writing Our Lives conference. Hence, there was no break. In my head, I said, "But when there's spring break for K-12 teachers, I will have space to slow things down some."

Nope. Because the University doesn't stop, nor does the meetings, the grading, and the planning as we get to the pinch of the semester. After Easter break (which begins Thursday afternoon), there's only two weeks left. And, alas, although undergraduates have next Monday off, graduate students don't.

I guess this is the curse of academics who work with K-12 schools. There are few breaks because the calendars don't align and when academics can take a break in the summer, this is prime season for K-12 teachers to participate in programs such as the Writing Project's summer institute.

This is all to say that although I graded almost 14 hours yesterday, I am still not caught up. At least my taxes are done, so I don't have to stress about today. I am retreating to accomplish as much as I can in a location with no distractions. I planned to do this, Tuesday, too, but the meetings quickly piled up. Wednesday, I have to teach the turbo. I believe my graduate student will return this week to help, but she's been through her own period of difficulty and I don't want to pressure her with too much. She actually deserves all of this week to process the loss of her father and to find her way back into a routine in Connecticut.

On a good note, I took a break in grading yesterday and ran 7 miles, but I'm sure my aches and pains will make me regret that sometime this afternoon. It felt good, though.

And guess what, Butch? I mowed my lawn before you (tongue out expression here). With hopes that I might actually sneak away for a couple of days for family time in Syracuse and knowing the early week forecast is for rain, I knew I needed to cut the grass. And did. I think I may need to rethink my lawn care provider. They're putting steroids in my soil.

Om.

Om.

Om.

We'll get through this.

Many Cheers for Martha Schmoyer LoMonaco and Her Cast & Crew @FairfieldU - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

In 2003, I picked up a little red book with an upside down poodle carved into the cover. It was written by Mark Haddon and it quickly became part of a six-week unit I taught to seniors at the J. Graham Brown School in Louisville, Kentucky (just a few blocks from Actor's Theater). I loved the story, the narrative pace, and the voice of Christopher, a British young man with autism, who was trying to solve the murder of a dog, but also the truth about his parents.

When I saw that Fairfield University was going to stage The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time I was very excited. It was also timely for a friendship with Dr. LoMonaco to begin, as she approached me with a desire to collaborate with urban outreach (which she did on Friday with Harding High School - a friendship already created). Sitting in her office, I had to say, "You have no idea how exited I am to see a theatrical production of this book." It's almost like I have the book memorized, I taught it so many times. It's one of those perfect texts.

Until yesterday afternoon, I had not seen the play adaption by Simon Stephens that was based on the novel by Mark Haddon. The stage-version explores more of the marital/separation problems of Christopher's parents than the YA text. The first act was true to the original narrative, and the 2nd half took more liberty with the story (as a truest, I watched with a skeptical eye).

I loved the Theater Fairfield staged the play. It was theater-in-the-square, which makes sense because that is the logical way Christopher's mind works. I thought the use of gray boxes (with prime #s on them) and the lighting of the stage was brilliant (kudos to Karl Ruling & Lynn Chase). The choice of a grey ensemble, too, allowed for the character colors to 'pop' when they were in other roles (applause for Julia Leavitt). There were also four screens that portrayed images above that shared some of the story that Christopher had going on in his head.

The greatest brilliance, however, was Park Lytle as Christopher Boone and the ensemble (I called it a 'chorus' - that's from studying Greek tragedies) played by Shannon Kelley, Carlin Fournier, Fallon Sullivan, Romina Rabines, Jay Martins, Michael Stack, Mana Seike and Bridgit Murray (a special shout-out to Bridgit who I've had in class - she's a phenomenal student and it was wonderful to see her Meryl Streep-like actions on stage - I never saw the resemblance before).

The ensemble jumped into characters throughout the play, but also helped to become Christopher's subconscious, emotions, and thoughts, as well as props for him to work with. It truly was innovative, if not magical. All the staging was superb, and the use of small stage (and the surrounding theater) made Christopher's story that much more believable (especially as his tantrums scared his father, the audience, officers, and neighbors). Anyone who has worked with young people who have autism can relate to the ups and downs of the every day. The production by Theater Fairfield captured the frustration, humor, angst and love (as difficult as it can sometimes be)

A special shout out needs to go to Brad Roth, too, who offered movement training for the show, a "walking dance," of sorts that provided theatrical warm up, choreography, and a voice 'score' to get the actors (and audience) ready. It was a fusion of Richard Bull's 'walking dance' dancing and improvisational movement and emotions added by Roth. The collegiate actors also used the influence of Japanese improvisational performance artists, Eiko and Koma.  .All this, however, was brought together in a show that demonstrated absolute teamwork, and the credit needs to go to the director, Martha Schmoyer LoMonaco. I was impressed by the entire show and look forward to learning more about the other ways its been staged.

I am waking up this morning feeling like a better man for finally seeing the scripted version of Haddon's book. I missed it on Broadway, but feel that Fairfield University did a stellar job on their own. Thumbs up to Theater Fairfield for all the hard work. To be honest, the choreography reminded me of a show from last year's WGI - UCF Pegasus's Guertica (below) that was based on Picaso's anti-war artwork of the same name. The movement tells a story within a story, and it's cool to see such artistry.

And with that, I'm going forward with a day of grading.

Mt. Pleasant's New Willett Bourbon Lamp to Light Up Crandall's Reading Spaces

I received a belated birthday gift from Patrick, an art piece that has taken him some time to make. It's a Willett Bourbon bottle that he drilled in order to make a lamp. I asked, "Where's the bourbon that was once in the bottle?"

Crickets.

I didn't get that as a gift.

I shouldn't expect such luxury. That's an expensive product, but the bottle, lightbulb and frame are beautiful and I'm very thankful for the unique, hand-made craft. I can't imagine the stress of drilling into the base of the bottle, trying not to shatter it along the way.

I'm impressed.

Happy Saturday Morning, World! I've got a couple of cool events to attend today, plus the angst of getting m work completed for the weekend so I can eventually teach one more class on Wednesday and then head home to Syracuse for Easter.

I spent yesterday in my office trying to get through the paperwork required for the CWP-Fairfield summer work ahead. I do what I can do and may have to join the University's financial officer this weekend to move things along.

We had a night of pouring rain, so that meant a good night's sleep. I'm taking it one day at a time. We'll get through it. We always do.

Going Into April 11th with Fists Up To Father Time, But Also an Embrace of the Inevitable & Beauty of Aging

There are stories, and then there are stories. The Class of 2001 story is one I'll take to my grave - a new teacher, a crew of freshmyn minds (I always spelled it that way) and the four years that followed, as my 9th/10th assignment moved to 11th and 12th grades that were with me until I left. The result? The majority of these poor kids had me as their solo English teacher for all four years of high school. We bonded and became family quickly and when they graduated, I never thought I'd be the same again. They shaped me as a human being, an educator, and an individual, and 18 years later, I'm forever grateful to these special creatures.

Yesterday, I posted on Facebook that the babies born the year they graduate are now seniors in high school. That message was received with awe, depression, a joy for time, and nostalgia. None of us knew at that time that almost two decades would come towards us as quickly as they have.

These were my babies. They are adults now, with fascinating, complicated lives, and I'm sure none of them would have guessed there life would be as rich and complex as they inevitably were destined to become.

The night these kids graduated, I got in my grey Ford truck, Ethyl Betty, and cried for weeks. For four years, I dedicated everything in my being to these kids and, boom, just like that they were gone. I knew it was coming, and I was lucky. Who has the opportunity to work with the same kids for four straight years? Freshman camping, American studies patriotism, Junior year Plato caves, and senior year culminating projects became the egg, larvae, pupae, and butterfly.

They, with their parents, grew up with me. The investment was huge and remains with me today. It's a Friday, and I'm going into a weekend with much to accomplish, but I know that these kids - hell, of the Brown Schools kids and faculty and staff - remain with me in everything I do.

2 G's and a $1.

For life.

Shouting Out To Connecticut Teachers. Two More Days Until Spring Break. Please Take Care of Yourself

And so the Wednesday before spring break was a success with Columbus School 6th graders transitioning from a study of ecosystems to a unit on watershed study; I'm very thankful to my Fairfield University undergraduates and our gorgeous campus for being an environmental friend. We definitely learned about water cycles, environments, the synergy between all of their parts, and our human responsibility to being good stewards of the Earth.

We had 7 incredible potato creatures designed by natural and manmade materials across our campus and our wolves: well, turkey, frog, and monster, only found 3 of the 7, meaning that 4 of the 6th grade teams designed truly remarkable potatoes adapted to their environment. The undergraduate hunters could not find them.

I was also impressed at the artistry and landscape design of both college and middle school students for the way they spent millions to develop their land, including our first ever Japanese pagoda along the watershed we created. One young man even designed a brilliant 45 million dollar dot, leaving his landscape for deer and animals to roam and do their animal things.

The irony was that while we were in session, I heard from a Bridgeport principal that the PD I was to offer to a team of teachers needed to be for 1/2 the school's teachers because the other PD presenter canceled. I had to think on my toes while working with the young people about how I could put together a 90-minute workshop in my head that could be prepared in the 30-minutes before departing the kids and heading to the school.

It's a good thing my training is as a K-12 educator because I was able to whip a quality workshop together in 30-minutes that inspired, impressed, and offered opportunities for teachers to think creativity about National Poetry Month,
promoting YA literature and thinking about the importance of playing with language.

My morning began at 6:30 and my night ended around 9 p.m. - with a short trip home to walk the dog. I earned my keep, indeed.

I'm very thankful to the School of Nursing, too, for having a gracious and beautiful space to host our environmental, scientific workshop on ecological sustainability.

The middle schools teachers an I agree, "It is wonderful to pair undergraduate students with their middle school youth." The teachers were in awe of the participation of the young people and how they held their own with the college-aged students. I fuse college-level thinking/reading with the curriculum expected of middle school - everyone wins!

And I told the teachers, I can count my successes by the smiles on everyone's faces. Learning occurred, the middle schoolers declared, "I want to go to college one day," and my undergraduates got to tune their own philosophies for education.

I'm exhausted, but yesterday was a 110% hit.

Tapping My Ecological Days with 6th Graders Today @FairfieldU - Service Learning in ED 329: Philosophy of Education

My Philosophy of Education undergraduates and I are thrilled to host Columbus 6th Graders for another round of service-learning at Fairfield University. Today, we bring Mr. Caplan's young scientists to campus after they learned about ecosystems are begin to move into a unit about water. I'm taking my Louisville Writing Project days as an intern to do a few Project Wet activities where we will build a collaborative watershed and community, but also play the adapative potato game (which was Project Wild, I believe).

The skinny? We're going to think about the way every creature plays a role in a much larger picture.

Speaking of Project Wild and larger pictures, yesterday I brought Glamis the Wonderdog to the vet for her annual check up. It is not an ecosystem she enjoys and all I can think about are the horrible whines she makes while at Companion Hospital. We are discussing fight or flight with the middle school kids, and Glamis demonstrates all of that when she visits our friends, Dr. Preli and Dr. Preli. I'm so embarrassed by her actions.

Still, it was a happy occasion. Why? Dr. Rona Preli, Marriage and Family Therapy (her husband and daughter are Glamis's vets) and Dr. Paula Gill-Lopez, School Psychology, were both at the practice with their pooches, making for a GSEAP blitz in Milford, CT. They've been wonderful mentors to me since coming to campus and I loved the coincidence that we were all there on the same morning. I had to do a selfie in the parking lot.

Okay, Wednesday, I'm inhaling. We have a lot to do today, as the middle school workshop culminates with a professional development workshop in the afternoon with teachers.

We got this!

Monday Minute-Man To The Rescue. So Thankful to My Colleague's Cheat Sheet

Last year I was voted onto Academic Council and, as luck would have it, yesterday was my turn to take minutes. A little perspective here is needed - it is a meeting of Deans, the Provost, and representatives from each of the University's colleges. A lot is said quickly, especially as proposals come through, arguments are made and discussions are held. I asked my colleague, Dr. Evelyn Bilias Lolis how she did it last semester and she said, "I made a cheat sheet." She sent it to me yesterday afternoon.

And I used it. I can't believe she downloaded faces of all who serve and listed their names. I am thankful, however, as it was very useful in keeping up.

Actually, the process makes me more interested in how policies are made at a National Level with so many arguing in so many directions. Who types it all and keeps up? It is a task, indeed.

I've always loved taking notes as it keeps me focused and allows me pay close attention. It's one thing, however, to make notes when you are 100% sure who everyone is, but another when you're not, and there are many with a lot to say. Taking the notes was one thing, but later on when I made sense of them with all the submitted documents, it became another ball game. I did my part and quickly became fascinated by University policies, structures, and the importance of Robert's Rules. There are many who are brilliant at the protocols and moving the dialogue forward.

Alas, it was on a Monday, followed by morning school visits, afternoon meetings, and evening courses to teach. I came home to edit cross-eyed and dizzy.

It's all good, though, because I have to take Glamis to the vet this morning, so I can recover from her shrieks of horror and Silence of the Lambs screams. The terror will make me forget the note-taking. I mean, she needs her nails clipped and a couple of small tumors checked. But she's outrageous as soon as we are in the parking lot.

I can hardly wait (sarcasm).

Amazing What The Sun Can Do - Kicked Me Into Spring Fever Mode & Paced My Academic Day with Outdoor Chores

 God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can

and the wisdom to know the difference.

In my senior year of high school, I did an internship with a local social work agency and peer-tutored kids my age who had extreme circumstances at home. While there, I first learned the serenity prayer and, years later, working at the Louisville Nature Center with Barbie, we often repeated these words to one another when we were most stressed. It really is a nice mantra to live by.

Sue bought me this piece of art for my birthday and it has the serenity prayer written on it. It's meant for the outdoor garden, and feeling the sun, I decided to put out my solar lights and pull out the tables from the shed. I also positioned the artwork, so when I look out from my back window (where I do my dishes) I can see it. I'm definitely a better spring, summer, and fall creature.

I never got back into the gym routine this winter, because the weather never was severe enough where I couldn't run outdoors. Still, I know that the hibernal months of breads, comfort food, pizza, and indoor laziness catches up to the best of us (even though, when I wasn't sick, I ran every day). 

Yesterday, I got a sunburn on my run, because the sun was that bright. It felt great and it put me in the spring cleaning mode, where I vacuumed the excessive hair that my dog leaves on everything, pulled out the patio items, bathed the dog, and washed the car. These were the breaks I allowed myself in-between grading and planning. 

By 10 p.m. I was simply exhausted. That's what happens when daylight offers more time to be alive - I simply do the nerd work, but also have space for feeling the dirt and wind outdoors.

And there's the grill (next to Glamis who found a deflated volleyball to run with - she was in total rejuvenation mode, too), where I totally find my happy place. I love to cook, but I love to cook more when I have the outdoors to grill with. I'm blessed to have the patio right off my kitchen and I can't wait to put it into action again this summer. Funny how quiet and dull Mt. Pleasant is over the winter months. I'm ready for the energy and entertainment still to come, when we can eat and play outdoors.

Oh, crap. It's Monday. Here we go again. You got this, Crandall.

Thrilled to Celebrate @ginaludlow with the @fairfieldu Graduate Community, Her Family, & Her Excellence

Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Gina Drayton Ludlow receive a Graduate Student Service Award at Fairfield University as she represented the best of our graduate students and introduced us all to her children, her husband, her sister, her brother-in-law and her husband. They have a tremendous family and the love and energy was easily felt at our table.

Dr, Paula Gill Lopez and I had the honor or introducing her to the crowd.

These are the words we shared:

Bryan:Good Evening, and thank you Walter. My name is Bryan and I’m the Director of the Connecticut Writing Project and an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions.

Paula:And I’m Paula, who has been assigned to Bryan the last 8 years as his psychologist, therapist and friend who keeps him in check. Actually, I’m Chair of Psychological and Educational Consultation and an Associate Professor of Psychology and Special Education in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions.

Bryan:The two of us are delighted to present on behalf of our colleagues in GSEAP to name our 2019 Graduate Student Service award recipient, Gina Ludlow, a student from our Masters in School Psychology program. I met Gina earlier this year, and knew right away that she was extraordinary. The two of us, I quickly learned, need to be kept far, far apart. otherwise our creativity, energy and passions get us in a lot of trouble.

Paula:And I’ve seen this first hand as my colleague, Bryan, has stood outside my door while I teach, summoning Gina to the hallway for one of his crazy ideas! Yes, Gina has proved herself in many ways at Fairfield University. She’s not only a capable student, but also an actively involved good citizen of our campus community. Gina has taken the campus “by storm” and I often hear from colleagues outside of the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions about the good work she is doing across campus. She was hired as a graduate student for the Black Studies Program, Peace and Justice Studies Program and Women Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, where she has successfully coordinated several events, including more recent work with the Connecticut Writing Project. 

Bryan: Gina is truly committed to social justice, equity and diversity. This spring, she volunteered as a liaison between Fairfield-Warde High School, Fairfield University, and the Connecticut Writing Project to help host the 3^rdAnnual Identity and Education Conference: Empowering Our Communities and Beyond – a Writing Our Lives Event. Through her parental involvement with Fairfield Warde Voices for Equity and an assistantship with Women’s Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, Gina approached CWP to be this year’s co-sponsor. The conference, in its 3^rdyear, empowers young break down barriers in their schools and throughout their communities. Gina worked tirelessly to secure room arrangements, design flyers, review conference proposals and invite keynote speakers. Under her leadership, the committee received a record number of applications. We aimed for involvement of 80 middle and high school students, but when the day arrived, we had over 200 in attendance. These were young people who presented to young people on actions they’ve taken at their school to make it a better world.

Paula:Our colleague and Associate Dean, Dr. Stephanie Storms wanted us to share that “Gina has a tremendous commitment to the University’s mission. She has raised equity, diversity, and inclusivity concerns within all her coursework, and most recently served on a panel for the Diversity Lecture Series with scholar Dr. Antonia Darder. In addition to leading the identity conference for local schools, Gina Drayton Ludlow also works tirelessly to be a voice for graduate students at Fairfield University with her role on the Graduate Student Senate. She’s been a strong advocate for their voices within the Provost’s Office, as well as with Dean’s across campus.”

Bryan:For these reasons, it was an obvious choice to put Gina Ludlow’s name forward to receive the Graduate Student Service Award. She brings forth light, happiness, integrity and a critical perspective of who we are as a campus and what our mission should and could be if we put our actions where our words are. Whether she’s organizing 1,200 poetic entries for the English Department’s Poetry For Peace contest, running to BJs to assure that young people have an early morning snack before the start of an academic day, or opening her office for a bagel with Dr. Emily Orlando’s Beagle, Gina is 100% committed to serving others on our campus

Paula:And this is why we hope you’ll share our appreciation for the wonderful graduate student that Gina Ludlow is to the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions. We invite our powerhouse to the stage. Please join us with a round of applause for our student, Gina Ludlow!

The crowd, of course, was equally as enthusiastic. It was a Saturday evening well spent. 

Proud Son of a Butch - This Purchase Was a Butch Purchase and I Feel Like a King

In 2007, when I moved back to Syracuse from Kentucky, I lived in a little ranch at the edge of Cicero and North Syracuse. It was a great place, but my father was always like, "Jesus Christ," when he visited, because I only had an old fashion, heavy, 18" television. He couldn't see it, so for my birthday that year he got me a 28" t.v. which I've had ever since.

Flashback to Kentucky days (well, Indiana). I remember vividly walking into a Best Buys with Alice and Charlie and seeing the first generation of flat-screened t.v.s that were over $2,500 a piece. I said, "Dang. All the awesome things are going to be invented after we die." Alice laughed and said, "The prices will come down. Wait and see."

Well, I've been eyeing televisions for years, but don't get much use out of them other than basketball and occasional shows - unless the soccer-fiends are home then it's never off (there's always Big Bang Theory or Family Feud on one of the channels). Yesterday afternoon, I decided to cash a check for working with libraries on American Creed and took the cash to BJs to get a big-screened, Smart TV. It was $300 and I brought it home, but it wasn't as smart as I wanted it to be, because it wouldn't communicate with my phone and laptop (Apple is sneaky like this). So, I splurged and bought the Apple TV attachment.

I now have a 50" screen, and can project anything from my laptops, iPads or iPhone. I'm sort of embarrassed because I'm sure my neighbors are like holy flashing lights from the Crandall household.
And I'm stoked that the stand is exactly 30 inches, which is the width of the TV stand my mother bought me way back when in Indiana. Still, I think I will be investing in a wall mount, as it would push the screen up and back a little more, making it seems like the living room is bigger.

I'm not sure how long I will keep cable, now that I can streamline videos, pull from the Internet, and send items from other equipment in the house. Ha, and the best thing is? The Apple t.v. comes with a Siri-operated remote control: "Siri, find my end-of-the-year montages on You-Tube."

I so rarely indulge. I now think I have a reason for my parents to visit once again.

Hoping April Showers Bring Bryan Mega-Powers in May. Investing in Reading, Grading & Resting Today.

With a crappy forecast, a full mailbox, and a huge responsibility to colleagues across the U.S. to help score proposals for a potential grant possibility, I'm investing in a day at home. Each weekend I catch up and make myself feel better, but by the end of a work week, I'm fried and feeling like I could go to bed for 48 hours.

I simply need a day to go down my check-list and get on top of the crazy spring semester that seems to be getting out of my grasp. Hmmm. I wonder why. There's been just a few major events on the radar and I know I have another one Saturday night. I simply need to have some down time so that I can be ready.

I picked up more cream, too, for my psoriasis and hello insurance. So, thankful to you. The guy says, "That will be $349.00." I am like, these are little tubes that are smaller than travel toothpaste and neosporine creams. It's nuts. For some reason, they didn't have my insurance so wanted me to pay the full thing.

Um, no.

Pharmaceuticals are out of control. The cream lessens the psoriasis, but doesn't get rid of it. It just makes the burn and itching go away. How do they get away with charging so much for a little tube of lotion?  I'm in the wrong field.

Okay, I'm feeling the weather, so my post will be short. TGIF, but I really wish it was TGIR - Thank God It's Retirement.

20 more years to go. I don't know if I have it in me.

When All Is Said and Done, I Go To Bed Knowing That My Choices Are Pro-Youth. They Matter Most.

My day began at 6 a.m. and ended at 10 p.m.. For those of you worried about Glamis, I did find time at 4 p.m. to come home to let her out and throw a ball around for a while. My undergraduate students and I entertained a team of 6th grade students from Columbus School, where we explored educational philosophies, read Jacqueline Woodson, discussed the importance of everything 'familiar' and what a 'creed' is, then set out to design schools that would make 100% of us happy. The bonus of having 24 undergraduates to match 24 6th grade students is that everyone gets a partner in crime. I was in absolute awed with how intelligent the young people were, and commanding with what they wanted my undergraduates to know. They came to teach them exactly what they need as students.

I have to say, that today's crew of middle school students was one of my favorites and I have to give credit to Ms. Portela, who commands expertise with her 20 years of service in Bridgeport Public Schools. Her kids always come intelligent, prepared and ready for the academic day. We read 9th grade material and I challenged the 6th graders to think critically about high school. I overheard a crew of boys at lunch discussing that they need to start reading more and holding one another accountable. Why? That's what they heard it takes to be successful in college. I'm not sure it will last, but I heard a group of boys holding one accountable over lunch that they would read more so they could one day make it to Fairfield University. I loved every second of it.

In the evening, we welcomed 63 awardees from the 1,200 poets who submitted work, K-8, to the English Department's Annual Poetry For Peace contest. This is one of the greatest nights of the year, because the kids come dressed to the nth degree and their families know they've achieved something miraculous. We allow each and every kid to take command of the Mics for the night and their works is inspirational, miraculous, and wonderful.

I drive home each year thinking, "Why don't we let kids run our nation? They are so spot on, astute, and ready to make the changes our nation needs."

Alas, the youth-work does come with exhaustion, and I am very ready for a good night's sleep and a follow-up Thursday of paperwork, organization, and clean-up. I am, however, walking with more pep in my step and love in my heart, because of the K-8 youth I worked with yesterday. I'm a high school guy, but these kids made a tremendous impact on me. I'm a better soul because of them.

Philosophizing About the Whole School Thing with Columbus School 6th Graders and @FairfieldU Undergraduates

For the last three years, CWP-Fairfield has been collaborating with brilliant K-8 educators from Columbus School, offering professional development and service-learning opportunities for many. This, the 3rd year, continues the tradition of bringing youth to campus to attend a college class and to partake in philosophical meandering as the undergraduates writing their educational creeds and think critically about becoming K-12 educators.

We've read Greene, Rizga, Woodson, Dewey, and many others through out course books. Finally, today, this semester of Fairfield educational philosophers get to work one-on-one with a team of stellar 6th graders who have Harbor Me in their possession - a wonderful book about young people finding their purpose and their voices.

The day begins at 10 a.m. and I will come home around 8 p.m. after the annual Poetry for Peace celebration occurs in the Oak Room later this evening. It's a true pleasure and honor to be involved with so many community outreach programs on campus as a result of my CWP directorship.

On another note, welcome to the world, Manny. My colleague stopped by after giving birth to her 4th son and introduced us to this wonderful human being. It put an absolute smile on my face and I know as long as such youth are entering the world, I will find ways to promote K-12 education to be prepared for them. He's only two-weeks old, but he's born into a family of love, passion for knowledge, and the pursuit of best practices.

By the time Manny will be college-ready I can finally say, I'll be looking actively at retirement. 18 years from now. I should be around 65 by then, and with all these years as an educator, I hope I will be leaving the field with open arms for such a blossoming genius.

It goes by so fast.