I think I LOVE my Job!!

Ok, I am going to gush! I am going to get gooey! I am going to be completely sentimental. I am going to inspire next year's Hallmark cards--in fact, picture this whole entry in PINK letters with little bears and hearts and rainbows and sunshine!!! I know. It's sick. If I could dot all my 'i' s with little hearts instead of dots, I would, for today only! Yep, I am going to show emotion (as I am usually so cold and pride myself on my Ice Queen attributes!) On this day of Saint Valentine, I thought I'd share some thoughts on love.

Here is what I love: The Salem Witch Trials, McCarthyism, The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne, Communism, Naming Names before the Senate!, Arthur Miller, Young Goodman Brown meeting the Devil in the forest, Personification, Emily Dickinson's brain, "I Hear America Singing" and Whitman's crazy hair, Robert Herrick telling me to "Make much of Time", LORD BYRON...such a bad boy, such a ladies man and I want to ride on the back of his motorcycle, Shelley's "Ode to the West Wind", ee cummings and his desire to never capitalize, The Simpsons version of "The Raven", hyperboles, figurative language, imagery, creating, and on and on and on and I LOVE IT!!! I haven't loved my job this much in years!!! I didn't know it was possible. I didn't know I could be this satisfied. I don't know what it is, but I have this amazing group of students who actually think and create and learn, and I teach at this amazing school, and I have never been happier doing what I love to do....so much so that the whole question of grad school right now seems wrong!

Allow me to share an example--an email I received today:

Miss B,

First of all, hats off to you and this amazing poetry unit!!

I've been really into poetry (and creative writing in general) for a long time, but you're the first teacher I've had in my "educational career" that has gone into depth with what interests me.

So I assume that you're a naturally creative soul as well. Which is why I've decided to ask your advice on something I've been wondering about...

Do you know of any creative writing/poetry contests or something that I could get into?

Well, thanks again Miss B! You're amazing!



If these kids are the future, I hope I live a long, long time!! Yep! I said that! Yep! I am doing a cheer right now! Yep! I am going to have it put on a t-shirt and wear it along with my other two classic tees--"Cupcakes Make People Happy" and "I Heart Atticus Finch!"


sigh.....I went to Valentine's grave in Dublin a few years ago, and you know he is the patron saint of friends, family, and lovers....so despite the capitalistic tendencies of many, today is a good day. And nothing says I love you more than a subscription to The Economist--no roses please!