Teaching was a fantastic run, although heavy. I use Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak as a class piece of YA literature, but also couple it with Banned Book week. Her videos on book banning are remarkable, and her advocacy for youth is unmatched. The story, based on real events at Fayetteville-Manlius High School decades ago, tells the story of Melinda, a young woman who raped at a party. Years later, Laurie would pen Shout which is the autobiography in verse of what happened and the aftermath since writing the fictional account. Without a doubt, she is one of the most remarkable humans I've ever had the honor of meeting and working with. The book still stands. Her passion for protecting children and bringing stories their way to help them survive as human beings are phenomenal. I pair it with Breanna Stewart's "Me, Too" essay, and this year because of Cornell, the story seems to resonate more with readers at Fairfield. Her work isn't anti-boys. It's anti-rapists.
I only have one male in the class and I appreciated his contributions to the discussion of males needing to be men, which means they grow up and don't violate women...ever. Yet, we all know jackasses. For many in this nation, such assholes are worshipped.
The action research course was successful, too, as we did exercises on thick description, watched videos of student work (performances) and practiced participant-observations. It may have been the fastest class I've ever taught because it was all interactive and engaging (for me and for them).
Alas, dinner came at 10 p.m. - hard to fix that on Tuesday night. But I made it. All the hardworking Sunday and Monday paid off for Tuesday running smooth. Today, however, the meetings return. Meetings. Meetings. Meetings. I'll try my best to behave and focus on productivity, rather than resentment.
