When You Forget the Glow Sticks, Getting Lit Takes On Another Connotation in an Educational Research Class

The intention was to turn out the lights and give everyone a glow stick. We were going to have a mini-rave party like I used to do with my high school seniors...a fun, playful way to energize the research process.

My exhausted, fried, and dragging graduate students, however, interpreted the first slide of last night's presentation with the humor I would expect. They wished they were 'getting lit' to do their literature reviews.

Note: This is where I give props to Dr. Sari Biklen and Dr. Elizabeth Payne for their mentorship of qualitative research. I'd shout out to the quantitative researcher I studied with, too, but the class was so traumatic I've wiped the name from my mind. I did well in the class, but the teaching was abominable and I will forever be scarred from quantitative research as a result. I'm also thankful to my dissertation committee who had me revise and revise and revise again before I defended.

I'm still wiping sweat from my brown.

Fairfield University requires Educational Research in its program and I found myself teaching an Action Research course to fill the gap in our program. The course is interesting by design as the outcomes are rich: to understand educational research, to partake in a mini-action research project, and to experience some (1/1,000th) of what occurs in a dissertation.

It's all developmental. As we move to the literature review, I am finding that the graduate students go into complete anarchy mode: it's too much, I don't get it, I have nothing to contribute, I don't know how the review answers my question, I haven't even taught yet, etc. etc. etc.

I'm 100% sure they will all be successful, but the panic is severe and I'm feeling it all. They have to include 7 to 10 articles in their review. I thought that was doable and still do. I've paced the article expectations, too, throughout the semester. I'm using my NWP background to plan backwards and to be highly teacher-friendly. I'm hoping they will be proud of their results and have a better understanding of how educators consult research to inform their own practice.

Still, a lot of cuticle biting as we head to the literature review. "How am I supposed to summarize all these articles [read 7 to 10] into a 6 paragraph summary?" (How was I able to dilute over 600 articles into my own work?)

Well, that was what the class was about...How to take much information and to thematically put it into digestible chunks that cites what was reviewed.

It's developmental, it's developmental, it's developmental.

I'm loving this course and glad I am teaching it, but it is a huge undertaking and it's given me even more appreciation to those who have guided my path.

After last night, I can understand why glow sticks are a sad alternative to the modern connotation to the phrase. But, research matters. It is the poetry of the profession.

My Own March Madness: Grading, Planning, But Still Watching (& Texting My Aunt Bobbie in Cali)

Two powerhouses went down on Sunday, and I multitasked while watching them. They were exciting games that likely disappointed half of the people who were invested in them. For me, I simply love the sport and watch for the thrill.

While I was grading through the games, my Aunt Bobbie was texting me from California while taking care of her husband, grandson, several dogs, and a two-year old in. who she watches. She wanted to know if I was watching the Lady Cards, and I was, but they lost. I asked if she was watching UK. She said my Uncle Dick was. She then texted to say, "UK won." I responded, "They game is still going." Long story short, they were watching a rerun of UK and Texas Tech from two days ago. I kept texting her the score and she said, "You're crazy. The game is over. They won."

Nope. Turns out she was multitasking herself with all under her care and didn't realize they were watching an older game. She wrote, "All these years of U of L and UK. I'll leave that to you and your uncle. I have too many other things to do!"

And she does. Phew! She told me that my cousin Pat told her she needs to do another ten years, then she can go retire with me and I'll take care of her. I told her she'd be welcome at any time. She's always been an energizer bunny, taking care of everyone else. It is her nature.

But now we have another Monday. The day is full with meetings and courses to teach and I'm definitely feeling the rush of the end of the semester. The madness never seems to end in the academic world. That is why basketball keeps me sane...it peaks at the exact time that I need the entertainment and excitement.

The only fool, once again, is this clown entering April 1st.

A Wonderful Stroll in New Haven, A Couple of Books, and Friends' Sons Art Work

I spent the majority of Saturday wandering around New Haven, looking at Yale architecture, and seeing the art work of Nick Robinson on display at Atticus's Book Store while I picked up a couple new YA novels for my collection. It was so tempting to depart with a few extra bucks to support a local artist, but I'm still not in a place where I can afford such consumption - I was tempted, however. What I love about Nic Robinson's artwork is that he paints post-apocalyptic scenes that are easy to imagine: images of earth, telephone poles, greenery, stop signs, etc. in a divisive, exploded memory of what once was. The skill is top notch and I like the game-like, futuristic representation of what may one day be.

Saturday: a run, a walk, some strolling and then a lot of music while hanging out with friends. Sometimes you simply need a stretch of time away from grading, planning, preparing, and writing. It's hard for me, but I'm glad I took an afternoon off.

Now it's Sunday, and I have to think ahead to the week that will be, including all the papers in my my cue and the instruction that must be given to bring my students to the end of the semester objectives I set forth. I should clean. I should put away laundry, but more importantly, I need to set everything in place so that I can ride out the week with the minimal amount of stress.

New Haven, with its Yale influence, is a very interesting community, indeed. The people watching is fascinating and the game becomes, "Which ones are students and who are vagabonds pretending to be Ivy-league -type brainiacs?" The stores match the street atmosphere.

I've said before, if you ever want to know the cultural divides in America, take a stroll down the streets of New Haven, CT. There is Yale, its ivy, and then the extreme poverty that is omnipresent. The meshing of style, people, and representations there is quiet astounding. I don't know it would be the college of my choice, but the irony of the elite next to the downtrodden, gets me thinking every time. So American. So academic. So 2019.

Last day of March. Started as a lion and today, it is the lamb. But how is it April already?

Inspired, Overwhelmed, Optimistic, but Exhausted. I Keep Trying to Do What is Best for Teachers and Kids

A friend from Alabama who was attending a southern literacy conference took this photograph as a Keynote was giving a talk on best practices for teaching writing.

It's not my favorite picture, but it's floated across the National Writing Project network and was used on their Annual Report (a photo taken by Jason Miczek when he documented our work last summer). She wrote, "Bryan, I didn't know you were famous."

I wrote back, "Um. No. That photo might be infamous, but not famous."

I worked all day yesterday on campus getting teachers paid, items ordered, and new workshops set in place. Additionally, I began to review several proposals for a national grant award, giving my feedback and advice in the peer-reviewed process. At 10 p.m. Friday night, I realized I am too cross-eyed to do another proposal, so checked my email.

Phew! My teachers and I have several proposals accepted for the 2019 NCTE conference in Baltimore, Maryland. I need to put the good news aside for a while, because I have to get through this semester before I can begin thinking about the Fall. It is, however, very exciting, as we are able to present new work and very exciting collaborations.

And here is a word about my eyes...I really can't see anything without my reading glasses and without a second computer screen to highlight the online materials I'm reading; it is really, really difficult to do the academic work that I must. The problem is, however, I only have a bigger computer screen in my office. I am not thinking that I need to invest in a second screen at home or an Apple TV so I can project words onto a bigger apparatus. My eyes need the assistance.

Hello, Saturday. Good Morning.

I have big plans for you, but also a million goals I want to keep. Fingers crossed I can reach 1/100th of them. And he's off.

Dapper Thursday Because of an Unexpected Gift (Didn't Don the Bow Tie, Though...Yet)

My colleague, Dr. Diana Hulse, ordered me a bow-tie and handkerchief set to show her appreciation for my 'look' at work...that is, pocket squares with ties, sports jackets, and blue jeans. I have to admit I came to pocket squares late in life and I really do love them - they add a little oomph to the everyday, and make for a little more funk in my step, and pep to my teaching.

I am extremely thankful.

I am now realizing that the purple also matches my colleagues hat....so appreciative of such gifts brought to me in a wrapped up package from someone who should be thinking about her retirement (where gifts are given to her and not the other way around).

He sneezes. As I said in the GSEAP faculty meeting, everything is in bloom, including allergies. I've been sneezing for 3 months now. Fun. Fun. Fun.

Today, I have monumental goals to get on top of budgets, grants, and proposal reviews (I am looking through a number of applications for the next round of a major national grant - proud to be asked). I'm more concerned, however, with working my way through Work Day, our new accounting software that is supposed to make work easier, but that has tripled the amount of work I have to do on a daily basis.

Ah, progress. I was waving the white flag before, but now I'm standing on the roof top waving it. Someone needs to stop purchasing technology that does not make work easier, but that adds 8 more hours to everyday that none of us have time for. Still, the work has to get done.

Thank God It's Friday. Because I will have all day Saturday and Sunday to try to catch up. Very interesting times we live in where the workweek has crept into a 7-days-a-week cycle with fewer and fewer people employed to get the work done. Seems the Administrative progressives have won out - as a colleague said recently, "There's a reason why unions were formed and people fought for the laborer's rights."

Exploitation seems to be where we are right now...fewer around to do the work, but with more and more expected to get the work done. It's just gross. I see it. I experience it. And I wonder, "What can we do about it?"

When Crazy Lil' Monsters Match Laptops and Fun Activities to Think Through Philosophies of Education

Yesterday started with a 2.5 hour turbo class and a stomach virus. I made my way through. At one point, I did an activity that was taught to me by a 4th grader - write a basic sentence. Pass it to the right. Draw what was written. Pass the drawing. Write a sentence to correspond with the drawing. Do it again several times. Draw what it written. Write what is seen. Be sure to cover all the previous sentences and drawings so text is interpreted in art form, and then art from is made into sentences.

This required finger puppets of course, as we contemplated Dewey, Freire, Greene and Kristina Rizga's Mission High. Why? Each of the students are to work towards their individual creeds for education.

Fast forward to the afternoon...2 hours of professional development for middle school teachers. Here, we did a consultancy protocol and maneuvered our way through dilemmas and problems in our practice.

Move ahead: a radio recording with teacher-writer-leader Jack Powers. Another 12-hour day that has me in awe, admiration, and total celebration of in-service teachers and pre-service teachers on their way.

As for me? Okay. Sleep is in order, as is mindlessness. As I noted, the day began with a stomach bug and I know it was still hovering with me for the rest of the day. Still, I didn't have time to stop because the calendar wouldn't allow it. That day is coming and I can't wait.

Just one more long day this week and then I can rest and, more importantly, reflect. Proud of those I am fortunate to work with, but knowing there's a limit to my personal sustainability.

This has been one heck of a semester and one day I hope I'm able to say, "Wow. Look at all that happened." NCTEAR, TESOL, MLK Essay contest, Jacqueline Woodson, Laurie Halse Anderson, a Writing Our Lives Youth Voices Conference, a MLK Youth Leadership Academy, teaching and the other everyday routines. These past three months were packed.

Now I need time to unpack them.

Hmmm. If I Had The Gavel In a Court of Law, What Legalities Would I Make Illegal? Nice Prompt, Mike Isgar.

This from my brother-in-law's book of writing prompts: What legal things would you make illegal if you could?

Well, every summer I give this prompt to teachers and students when we're working through our personal pet-peeves. It's not new news that I would first ban one's ability to leave grocery carts in the parking lot, when one can simply walk them back to the front of the store. I've written about this before. I don't understand the leaving of grocery carts all over the lots. It's just wrong.

I would also go after those who drive 45 mph in the far left lane of any highway. These are individuals who will drive side by side other people going under the speed limit, holding everyone behind them absolutely hostage. It makes me want to require more viewing of the rearview mirror.

I know my parents and others in retirement land would be against this, but I think it should be illegal for retirees to go to grocery stores on weekends. They have M-F to shop, so on weekends, when everyone is rushing to get their weekly shopping done, it would be wonderful not to have aisles cluttered with those who read every label, operate at sloth-like speed, and move about in space-consuming motor-carts not impeding movement in every aisle. I know that is harsh, but I think there can be a compromise somewhere.

I might also work on creating action litigation. That is, I want to hold people accountable to their words by measuring them up with the actions they take on a daily basis. The saying, "Your actions speak louder than words" should be litigated in court. I'm in higher education, so I know the language of words and expression are at a heightened level. I simply want to say, however, but what actions have you enacted to meet the words you espouse. That seems like it would be a no-brainer, but I've learned otherwise. There are many, many words without any acts to back them up. That, I feel, should be triable in courts. Again, not likely, but that's what this morning's prompt asked me.

Finally, I get the policing of American public schools to be accountable to what they're supposed to teach and assess. I feel, however, that until resources are given to teachers, students, districts and administrators to actually carry forth the instruction expected of them, we should not be making kids and teachers accountable. I'm also weary of the assessments they use, as they don't necessarily measure what is important, helpful, or useful for college and career-readiness.

Quite the soap-box report, but I'm heading into a 14 hour a day and the gavel was put into the court of Crandall. These are items I'd address if I had the power to make things happen.