WHERE TO HEAR SOME SCHOOL DAZE STORIES
Here’s the deal- Lucky me. I get to share one of my school daze gems on Sunday, September 13 2:00 PM at Tellers of Tales, an easy gathering of story lovers- both tellers and listeners. We meet at Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E Speedway Tucson AZ. Donation- suggested. Come join us! There’s time for audience stories too.
TEACHERS, PARENTS, PAST STUDENTS, & WASHINGTON SCHOOL GRADUATES FROM WEST CALDWELL, NJ
No matter how many years go by – and they are whooshing by, as summertime comes to an end, my morning thoughts are of going “back to school.” For 28 years, those morning thoughts began mid-August. in New Jersey, school starts right after Labor Day. If you were a teacher, as I had the privilege of being for 28 years, the rooms were ready for prep work by late August. Floors were cleaned and polished, windows washed, piles of paper, books, supplies ready to unpack.
Prep work meant getting the class list, putting up bulletin boards, pulling out folders for the September lesson plans- updating, using new techniques for classic, tried and true lessons. Shelving books, arranging learning stations- math, writing, computers, art, etc., etc., etc.
FROM MY SIDE OF THE DESK
The most interesting part began the first day – meeting my new class, soon to be “the best class ever.” I accumulated quite a few interesting stories from and about my young students- kindergarten – third grade. Also learned a lot about myself. Could only choose one story to share, and it’s a really good one!
Tellers of Tales meets In person. Sure, New Jersey ( or other states) is a long commute from Arizona so send me your humorous, or poignant true school daze story, I’ll print some here.
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, and semi-retired from coaching, and professional editing. Founder of the Eastside Tucson Writing Room based in Tucson AZ, she’s posted 100s of blogs, and is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, gather writers together, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys teaching, speaking, and storytelling at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, Tucson Tellers of Tales, Center for Spiritual Living Tucson, New Story Pod, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.
I wish I could be there, Ethel! And too bad that Tom and Marcela are out of the country. Sending you lots of love!
And I wish you could be here- any day. The storytelling was great. Poignant, funny, lessons learned. All brought up memories. Will you be planning a trip soon to the SW?
When my son started second grade he was lucky enough to be placed in your class, his twin was in Mrs Martin’s class, to be honest at Washington School all the classes had great teachers! We had only been in the US for a little over a year and I did not have many friends, I looked around at the other parents and decided I needed to make friends. That December I invited 20 moms to a party, we all had to bring a gift and some food. We laughed and shouted and ate and all became good friends. That party continued for the next 26 years, different people as our lives changed but still the same laughter and friendships. Now as we are heading into retirement, many have moved away and the gathering is no longer possible, I am both sad but also thankful for those days back in second grade where my son and I made lasting friendships!
Alison, the older I get, the more I appreciate the years, colleagues, students, and families at Washington School. The story I told here in Tucson was a a composite of school events that taught me about children while I taught them. I’m glad that you took that step to have a Mom party which led to years of friendships. Gathering folks together is always a good idea. Thanks for sharing this.