Let's be real here

Question on TFA mid-year survey: What would lead you to consider teaching a third year in your placement school? Please be as specific as possible.

My answer: No homophobic parents trying to get me fired.

See that guy playing the bones? I want to have his babies.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops- one of my favorite bands, and biggest musical crushes.

Thanksgiving with the fam

I spent Thanksgiving at "some of Charlie's peoples" house, and it was a whirlwind of children, animals, overeating, games, and laughter. The house was full of my cousins, aunts and uncles, inlaws and outlaws. Good times. To make it even awesome-er, my aunt put us up in a lovely B&B. Fun family time followed by relaxation in style. Best Thanksgiving ever.

Tegan's visit! Pics for Mom

A student letter

The semester is almost over, and I had the counselor come in today for a "come to Jesus" meeting with my students. So many of them are failing not from lack of understanding but from pure laziness. That don't fly with me, chilluns! Here is a letter that one of my lovely girls (the one of "follow your dream!" video fame) wrote me:

Mrs. Pennell,
I sorry I didn't turn my work on time but I thank you so much for giving me a chance to make it up. To be honest if my mother knew I didn't turn my work in it wouldn't be a pretty sight. But next semester I promise you that you wont have this problem. My work will be on time and you wont have to worry about me talking or making lower than a 85 on anything. Thats my promise to you.

A.S.

I love it- let's hope she makes good on her promise.

When will it get better?

I'm a huge fan of Dan Savage's It Gets Better Project. If you haven't watched the videos, you should. It is geared towards queer and trans teens who are being bullied, but I find it just as helpful to watch them. My friend and I even made a video- find us if you can- and it was a cathartic experience. As a community, we need ways to tell our stories and talk to each other, especially those of us who find ourselves isolated.

I recently read the latest Alice book, my favorite teen series that I've been reading since I was 11. There are only 2 or 3 more books left, and I know I'll shed a few tears when I read the last book. Alice has been a part of my life for so long, I'll hate to see her go. Some of the books get to be very after-school special, but I love them anyway. The most recent one, called Alice in Charge, touches on this hot topic of bullying. A speech by Alice's principal, while heavy handed, struck a chord with me:

"This school will always stand for the free expression of ideas and concerns, but we will not tolerate bullying, vandalism, violence or racial slurs. To students of every race, nationality, religion or sexual orientation, we promise that we will do our utmost to protect you and your rights in this country. To those who would like to express a different opinion, no matter how unpopular it may be, we invite you to engage in respectful dialogue. We do not prosecute students just because they might have different views on political or social issues. But we do expect responsible behavior of high school students. Demand this of yourselves and of your friends, and make this school proud."

This got to me mainly because I'd like to hear something similar from my school's administration. While I don't necessarily think that offering open dialogue between hostile teenagers, especially when power is unequal, is a good idea, having this fantasy principal that would even suggest such a thing seems so far out of reach. I think that the students need to hear a strong stand on acceptance (not tolerance- I refuse to teach tolerance) in a public way, and not individually when they use a slur. I have to constantly battle racism and homophobia in my classroom. Recently, I've been discriminated against by staff and parents for my sexuality. This makes me fearful for my job, and makes me even more careful of how I present myself. I can't let bigotry get by in my classroom, but I can't get fired either. So sometimes I feel as if I'm walking on eggshells.

Just recently, a teacher was suspended for standing up for homophobia in his classroom. Fortunately for this teacher, a very eloquent 14 year old stood up for him at a school board meeting. I hope that if something similar happens to me, someone will do the same. I just hope they're able to do so with such intelligent grace.

Please donate to the Windsor library

Dear Friends: Please consider donating to the Lawrence Memorial Library in Windsor, NC. This is the local library in Bertie County, where I teach. It was hit hard by the flood; the director estimates 40-50% of their collection was destroyed. This is 1 of 2 libraries in our county. There is not even a bookstore here: my... stuents have to travel an hour to get to a Barnes and Noble. The library is vital to our community, please help us put it back in operation as soon as possible.

Note: this website is for a multi-county library system. If you donate, please specify that your donation go to the Lawrence library.
http://www.albemarle-regional.lib.nc.us/librarydirectory/bertie.htm

More pictures from Bertie County

These were taken yesterday when Alton and I drove around a little bit to check things out. We couldn't get to the high school because of all the flooding, but our schools are on higher ground so are ok.

Flood in Windsor

Things have been crazy here. Tropical Storm Nicole has wreaked havoc on my little town. It was raining so hard Wednesday that school was released at 1, and continued pouring all day Thursday. The Cashie river flooded, and downtown is now accessible only by boat. All the businesses downtown have several feet of water inside- this is going to be a hard blow to the local economy.

A moment in class today

My junior American Literature class is reading Mark Twain's Pudd'nhead Wilson. If you haven't read it, you should, it's much more complex than the usual Twain's you read in school, and I think if we read this instead everyone would be a lot smarter. Thanks to my mom for the suggestion.

As part of our discussion today, the KKK was brought up. I started to share with the class a story my mom told me. The year before she started school, her parents took her and my aunt to a KKK meeting, in the mountains of NC where they lived. My mom still doesn't know why they did it, but she thinks it was to show them how crazy those people were. The meeting was outside, and they parked on a hill above it so they could still hear, but they kept the doors locked and stayed in the car. My mom remembers seeing a teacher, who had taught several of her cousins, speaking to the crowd and saying that she would never teach those n****rs. This was when the schools were finally going to be desegregated. She transferred to another school.

As I told my class this, I warned them I was going to get emotional and I did, tearing up, voice cracking. I said that especially now that I'm a teacher, it just hurts me so much to think that a teacher could say that about any children. I'm getting teary again typing this, but I am an overly-sensitive soul.

This class tries me a lot, there are several strong, defiant personalities who like to push their teachers. While I was talking they were looking at me half surprised, half awed. Maybe they'd never seen a teacher get so emotional before, unless they were yelling at them. Whatever it was, I knew that they saw that I cared about these issues, and maybe understood me a little bit more. Usually you don't want your kids to see you get emotional, but in this case I think it helped.

After this, they had a quick writing assignment, and all completed it eagerly. One thanked me. Success.

School starts tomorrow

And so the second year at Bertie Early College begins!

New toy!

I've learned about all of these really cool free tools on the internet you can use in the classroom. This one allows you to pick an animated avatar, and make 30 second animations. One teacher says she makes them for the kids to watch when she's gone from class! Such a cool idea, and the students would be able to use them for so many different situations.

Asheville Weekend

There were lots of cool stencils and murals around town

French broad chocolates- so so good! It took us a long time to decide which ones to try.

Joy and Stephen at Poscana's a very tasty restaurant

The sun came out when we were nearly done with our hike


I'd nearly forgotten how beautiful my home state is. I still love the NW, but NC is lookin' pretty good too.




I went to Asheville with Susan, Joy and Stephen and we had a blast. We stayed at Mama Gertie's campground, one of the nice ones with hot showers, went hiking, wandered around, and as usual, ate a lot of good food. It's a really cute little city, and very, very queer friendly! We're going back for Susan's birthday next month, now I'm really looking forward to it even more.

Weekend randomness

Summertime comes so much earlier in the south! It was in the 90s this weekend, so crazy.

Celebrating Carol's birthday

Locopops- so good! This will be a new place to take visitors.

Dressed as Anne of Green Gables with puffed sleeves for Susan's children's books party

Student surveys- 2nd and 4th block

More fun with student surveys, from my other two classes.

2nd block- the sophomore writing class-

One thing you should not do is be sarcastic- That’s her job. [yep!]

I would make sure you had a lot of pens and a lot of paper. She loves to make her kids write; I personally think she gets a high off of editing all the papers. She likes to have fun so you can joke some but when she says work you better do it. [damn right!]

4th block- You can tell they're my rowdy group from their responses, so funny.

This class is fun and Ms. Pennell is on the crazy side so expect her to crack a smile on your face. [...] Don’t ever act a fool Ms. Pennell will get you. [I pity the fool!]

What y’all should expect from this class is a good teacher and a good class and learning environment. Ms. Pennell is a great teacher if y’all can be good students. [this student always keeps me organized, and was annoyed by her overly chatty classmates. It's hard to keep the most energetic kids focused at the end of the day.]

The students should expect a strict teacher. But, a strict teacher is always the best teacher.

Ms. Pennell is a great teacher but don’t make her mad

Hey next year’s class I just wanted to let you know that if you got Ms. Pennell for a teacher and you don’t like homework you’re in big trouble.

Once you take Ms. Pennell’s class you should expect a non disrespect policy. By this I mean DO NOT CALL ANYONE out of their correct or preferred name. […] BE PREPARED TO WORK

She is a very funny and a cool teacher to hang out with. So will help you with anything in life.

She’s super nice and know how to make learning fun. Don’t mistake her kindness as softness because she knows how to handle her class. As long as you try to do what it takes to pass, she’s there with you 100%. […] The best part of her class is the fire drills (if you luck out and have her class 4th block) and the video clips we watched. Oh yeah, I can’t forget about the fantabolous stories we read.

Ms. Pennell has HIGH expectations, you will have quizzes maybe every 2 weeks. […] You should NOT use negative remarks in her class AT ALL or you will be in BIG TROUBLE.[can you tell I don't let them get away with anything?]

What I like about English 2 is that we take it to another level and we expand our minds think deep to find the answers

End of year surveys from the kiddos

My first year of teaching for 'Merika is almost over! I had the kiddos fill out surveys after their final, and write letters to next year's English students. The results were at times touching, occasionally ironic, and mostly hilarious. Here are a few of my favorite tidbits from today, I may post more as the week goes on so stay tuned.

Ms. Pennell is a very good teacher. Shes not as bad as most teacher. She can be mean at times when your not focus or trying to work hard. She will be looking for you to use your bring A LOT! [I think she meant to write brain, not bring. At least I hope so]

You should not talk about how wonderful Twilight is because Ms. Pennell might bite yo’ back off! You should talk about how wonderful Harry Potter is because Mrs. Pennell will shower you with praise.

You may often see Ms. Pennell eating dark chocolate but you mustn't ask for any (she's very stingy when it comes to her chocolate- she claims it's her medicine but me and my classmates don't think so). [Funny cause it's true!]

You will play a lot of review games. Ms. Pennell never gives away the answer. You have to look up and break down the context. EVERYTHING has a symbolic meaning and you have to figure it out. [This one makes me all teary- yesss!!!]

I would like to warn you that you must have a personality when you come into this classroom. If not Ms. Pennell will bring it out of you. Twilight fans watch out b/c this teach has a huge reason why she loves to burn the Twilight saga and obliterate it from the world’s existence. So you better come with some prepared FYI. I didn’t. [wahahaha!]

MS. Pennell is very sarcastic and calm so I hope you are not sensitive to sarcasm [...] She is also very creative and takes little pride in what she does. She is a horrible drawer and singer so ready yourself.[I don't think she meant to say I don't care :-) ]

Do her homework because she will make you stay over and do it if you don’t. DO NOT SLEEP in her class or even put your head down. [you can guess what this kid tries to get away with]

Students of next year you better study, work hard, and succeed in this class it will help you greatly. Also Ms. Pennell is a good teacher don’t give her a hard time. [This one is especially hilarious 'cause the writer is failing because he's so lazy]

She is nice to get along with but most don’t think so. [love it!]

And here was the best, tear-inducing answer to the question "What's the most important thing you learned this year?" from the same student who talked about sarcasm:

"To be open minded in others opinions and consider their feelings." Teacher gold! You can't buy that good feeling of molding young minds

<3>

DC trip- touristy pics

Standard tourist shot, but can you see me? Susan kept claiming she couldn't find me in the museums because my gray shirt made me blend in.

Waiting for the Orangutans at the zoo

at Mary Washington University, Fredericksburg, where Susan went to undergrad

Susan in front of her old dorm

Zoo touristy shot, with random stray child

John holds Julia up to the titi monkey for comparison

I love rays!

Dupont Circle

I found this mermaid book, and got it for myself. It's awesome.

Hirshhorn

Too bad the triangle isn't upside down

I love how they look like they're floating

fountain outside the Hirshorn

the monument

Susan and I spent Memorial day weekend in DC, where we hung out with her librarian friends, did some touristy stuff, ate a ton of good food, played a bunch of board games, and hung out with my family. Good times!