Wait. Is That a Dude Corner at the Summer Institute? Do We Really Have That Many Males Attending?

In the last 7 years, the summer institute at Fairfield University has been all female with the lone male representing for all mankind. I realize this is opposite in other professions, but to be in a room with fellow male K-12 teachers is always a joy when it happens. This is deceptive, because our institute still remains female-heavy, but I'm thrilled to see a cohort this summer of elementary, middle and high school teachers; ESL and Special Educators. Urban and suburban. It is a great mix of 20 educators (plus others auditing the work).

On Day one, we simply planted seeds after switching rooms from the 3rd floor to the 1st. Let's just say that heat was cranking out of the 3rd floor rooms. It was impossible, so we left and found another space for the day (actually, traded with the Little Labs for next week).

This week we are working on personal writing and looked at The Day You Begin, several essays from Hope Nation, and workshops on perspectives and personal writing. This morning, my dear friend Sonya Huber, a memoirist, will be with us to discuss memory and narration. It's one of my favorite workshops of the year. In the afternoon, however, we are going to have a inclusivity panel and discussion about how we work with students who have learning dis/abilities. We are working hard this summer to think about strategies that work.

I have a guest from Kentucky and Abu arrived so the joys of summer are beginning. I grilled out and made the Crandall special, before we went to the beach to walk and do sight-seeing.

I'm thankful that this is a short week, as it's time to inhale for the rest of the month - so much life occurs in a short five weeks.

Here's to today. We got this.