Carried Along

As an English teacher, I give many different writing prompts to provide writing practice for my students. One of the most interesting prompts of late asked them to retell a story from their lives but have them add a different ending. Of course, the prompt is giving them an opportunity to change the story in their favor-a win instead of a loss, a place on the team, the grade they wanted, a dream relationship come to fruition, the reverse of a family tragedy. Every year, however, I have students who don’t follow the prompt-some out of laziness, some defiance-but this particular year, one student just wanted to make a point-the…

It’s overwhelming, almost unbearable.  Since March our country (and the world in some ways) has been in the throws of one crisis or another.  First, the #Corona Virus, shutdowns, the myriad of consequences from the shutdown, residual fear and uncertainty of a virus resurgence, and now, violence by and against the #police leading to protests, many of which have become life-threatening riots.  Daily, the news has new coverage of economic devastation and endless violence popping up in city after city.  In today’s world when we are confronted with a plethora of problems every day on the news, social media, we can easily throw our hands up.  It is tempting to…

“I don’t do that peace thing,” he told me matter-of-factly. No people-pleasing from this student. That day the class was asked to find a Martin Luther King, Jr. quote and illustrate it.  Instead of sitting in silent defiance like students often do, he told me how he truly felt.  He was a bit agitated, expecting me to be indignant, a student refusing to do an assignment, but I wasn’t.  If there’s one thing I love about teenagers, it’s honesty.  Sneakiness, lying, those are not my favorite traits, but honesty, whether I agree with it or not, is so refreshing.  So, I accepted his decision, respected it even, and moved on. …

Lord,  It seems like the world is engulfed in flames The flames of fear and hatred So far unable to be contained Please bring a refreshing shower of peace Cause the churches closest to the flames to “  . . . do justice, love kindness and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8) As you have commanded Give them your protection, wisdom, and words To proclaim your gospel of peace in this seemingly endless firestorm Cause us, your broader church, to “not be anxious about anything but . . . (make our) requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6) Do not allow us to be indifferent or judgmental as we sit a…

It seems so strange; I can’t believe it’s been 4 whole years. You see, while for you, this is the culmination of your public school career, it is a milestone of sorts for me too. Four years ago I became a Bronc just like you. And this is the most former students I’ve ever had in one graduating class before. So, I voluntarily wore that suffocating “rubber” mask and used much more hand sanitizer than I prefer to breathe in not because I am a good Samaritan-I’m sure you are shocked- but because I needed to say “goodbye,” and the opportunities for this were bit limited this year. And, hopefully,…

twitter.com/mymollymontana/status/1266116668335419392

I am not a fan of change. I never have been. I don’t want people to leave, dynamics to change, kids (or adults) to age, none of it. As a high school teacher, I grieve the loss of my students at the end of every semester and rejoice at the few I get to keep. But as this truly unexplainable school year comes to a close, I am at a loss as to how to cope with the loss of my students when I can’t even say goodbye except through a post on Google Classroom. Oh, I could make a video or write a poem, but honestly, my emotions are…