It's the K-12 Educator in Me, That's Why. Justifying Dry-Erase Markers to a Cohort of Freshmen Who Wonder How I Miraculously Whip Materials Out of Nowhere

I had to take a photograph to document the moment. Students were doing dry-erase dialogues and needing markers, I quickly reached into my bag of tricks and distributed multi-colored possibilities their way. "Where did they come from?" they wondered. "My bag. It's not a purse, but so much of teaching is being prepared to meet the needs of any moment. It's a parental skill."

But I admit, it's a little over-the-top and outrageous. I mean, I carry way too many dry-erase markers with me, because I know that materials aren't typically on the ready in most classroom spaces (in fact, I buy dry-erase markers for colleagues in teaches in skill. We need the goods to be successful). 

Last night, I had the unbelievable opportunity to interview Tony Weaver, Jr. for The Write Time, and I am once again throwing prayers to the Great Whatever for allowing me to absorb the wisdom of such beautiful writers and thinkers. I can't wait for the show to reach its national audience and for educators to experience the joy that I witness from NWP teachers interviewing the children's and young adult authors our schools and readers need. 

Today, I get to work with a K-6 school, participate in assemblies, and refuel kid-happiness into the spirit of all I do. I then have a General Faculty Meeting where other work (that took the hands of many) is coming to a vote (hopefully with successful results).

I knew as I tried to unwind last night that I need mental space from the rat-race this past week was. I'm returning to writing projects, planning, and more of my national work.

Inhaling. Exhaling. It's all I got. The power of being alive and having another day to try to breathe.

If you need something to write on a dry-erase board with...hit me up.