Just when I thought All Was Lost Allow me to introduce Ronnie, a student of mine back in the eighties. He, along with other students were searching for information about post-Civil War times. Ronnie sat alone at a table with his head resting on an open book on American History. “Hey, Ronnie. How’s it going?“… Continue reading Catching Fire
Posts
Home Visit
“We need to judge less and understand more.”― Mitta Xinindlu My new advisee, Jeff, came to Metro in a cold November. He walked into my first hour Language Arts class wearing a heavy winter coat. It was zipped up with the hood pulled over his eyes. He carried a small spiral notebook with the wire partly unwound… Continue reading Home Visit
The Homeless Ferret
It’s a fall day in 1978 at Metro Alternative High School in Cedar Rapids where I teach. I’m standing outside the front door of our first home, the old firehouse, with Rick and Carolyn and Vern. We’re handing out the newspapers to the students as they enter when we see Jake, crossing the street carrying… Continue reading The Homeless Ferret
Metro High School in 1978
You enter the building from the parking lot. It is 3:30 and all the students have gone home leaving behind them the smell of stale cigarette smoke and pachouli. You hear Vern, the building engineer, downstairs talking. Vern has somebody trapped in conversation and it will be at least twenty minutes before his target starts to back… Continue reading Metro High School in 1978
Site Launch
This site was originally launched on 19 Nov 2021. Some older posts were added for events and writings in past years.
Iowa already has successful educational alternatives
Thank you, Republicans, for considering the need for alternatives to traditional schools for students who are or may be falling through the cracks. While Republicans may not intend to leave this impression, it does make me wonder why they consider this an “unmet need.” Having taught at Metro High School for over 20 years, I… Continue reading Iowa already has successful educational alternatives
Dickens & Donuts
This is a reading by Mary that was posted by Nick to YouTube on 7 Feb 2021.
Uptown Bills Promo
Below is a short promotion for an Uptown Bill’s event. The event was on 8 Dec 2020. Mary is featured in the ad. The play button is the white triangle in the orange circle. You can also listen on Soundcloud. [Listen]
A Visit From St. Nicholas
The video below is from an event at Uptown Bill’s on 22 Dec 2019, with Nicholas and Jason bringing a room full of people to laughter.
Plagman dedicated to quality education
I first knew of Dr. Ralph Plagman when I was teaching at Hiawatha Elementary School and he was at Kennedy. He was then one of a highly regarded group of local social studies teachers engaged in innovative approaches well received by students and academics alike. He was one of the founders, and eventually principal, of… Continue reading Plagman dedicated to quality education