Added Bonus to a Wednesday, with Thanks to Dr. Richard Novack (Fairfield Warde) Who Brought Dr. Lauren Leigh Kelly to Campus

It's been a Rutgers minutes since seeing collage Lauren Kelly, as I've taken Amtrak back to our home destinations over the years (she was a colleague of Dr. Nicole Mirra). Lauren works with hip hop literacy and is also a stellar champion for youth initiatives. We connected, too, through Marcelle Haddix.

Dr. Novack had Dr. Kelly as a keynote for his Fairfield Warde Voices of Equity keynote, a collaborative program between students, teachers, and administration at their school. Because of his CWP connection, as well as his adjunct work in the English Department, he brought his students to DSB yesterday for a daylong workshop on hip hop and art. I LOVED hearing Dr. Kelly speak about the work she does with youth communities all across the northeast. It is amazing. I'm inspired. I wish we were able to do collaborations together.

This morning, I'm heading to traffic-hell so I can greet 20 undergraduates and 60 3rd graders for a campus workshop on informative writing. I'm thankful, too, because the Women's Volleyball Team is assisting the instruction and it is my intent to get everyone drafting essays to inform others on what they know about. We shall see. This may be the youngest crew of learners I've brought to campus, but when exploring careers in education (and having a National Writing Project director as an instructor), this is what we do.

I do know, however, that I'm wrapping that up, doing a faculty interview with the School of Nursing, and then heading home to unwind my mind for a few days. By that, I mean I'm focusing on several writing projects that need immediate attention...including the pre-NCTE preparation I've not had time for. 

A haircut on Friday. That's the only distraction in the way of getting things done. 

Here's the Dr Novack and Kelly for their accomplishments yesterday.