Write Here, Write Now

Change. That's a very scary word for me. I try to avoid it at all costs. I'd rather have the expected, the routine, the normalcy of everyday life. But what if? What if something better could be possible? I'm currently in my eleventh year of teaching. I still love what I do- teaching students how to read and developing within them a passion for literacy. And although this particular school year has been quite emotionally and mentally challenging, it is not the route cause for my contemplation to embrace change or not. Since my undergraduate days in college and, most influentially, my first year of teaching, I've dreamed about pursuing my doctorate degree and teaching undergraduate literacy courses at a university. I want to ensure that graduates leave knowing how to take and analyze a running record, how to feel confident holding a writing conference with a student, and how to include effective word study in their literacy block. I want to develop literacy leaders be...

"Alida, time to wake up!" my mom called from the bottom of the stairs.  Unlike most days, I hopped out of bed willingly and raced to my dresser to get ready for school. It was going to be the best  day ever!  It was pajama day in Mrs. Rottenberry's first grade class.  This was the one  day all year where students got to ditch their boring uniform, which consisted of a plain white polo shirt tucked into crisp, navy pants, and choose their most favorite pajamas to wear to school.  I had been looking forward to this day all year!   For Christmas, my grandma had given me the most beautiful pair of pajamas I'd ever seen.  These were big girl pajamas, not baby pajamas.  There were no Disney characters or glow in the dark appliques.  Rather, they were soft, baby pink fleece pants with a matching shirt that had white, frilly lace around the neckline. As soon as I saw them I knew they would be the perfect pajama day choice! I tucked them saf...