The Last Monday Morning of Literacy Labs & Teacher Institutes, Which is Sad....Because These are Great Mondays (the Work is Tremendous)

Yesterday, we met up with Shirls and did a beach day of grilled chicken, salads, and sand. It was low tide, but the cool breezes didn't make it a swimming kind of day anyway. We simply chilled, enjoying the company, relaxation, and weekend away from the grind.

This week, we finish out Ubuntu and the teacher institute, plus debut Write Across America with Teens, a special collaboration between Scholastic and the National Writing Project...stay tuned for Wednesday's show. Mateo, Jalen, and Isaiah have done a remarkable job putting the program together for the nation. Hoping it goes by stupendously for them.

Sadly, we lost our Loyola High School students for most of the week, but they return on Friday for our last day celebrations, which will be great

And Abu talked me into Popeyes for dinner. I alway love that meal, even if the meal doesn't love me. It's the fried food I need to look out for....but don't. C'est la vie.

Happy summer work-week.

Welcoming Cooler Temperatures with Arms Wide Open. I Miss Kentucky, But Hate When Their Humidity Comes Our Way

The storm that came through was a wimp. It just rained with no thunder or lightening, but it did push some of the humidity to the side. I wish it would take all the humidity. I like to sleep with my windows wide open.

We celebrated Ishmael's 10th birthday with Dave's incredible cooking and good conversation. I have to be honest, though. I spent most of Saturday on my behind doing Workday(more) finance stuff and writing for projects I've fall behind on. It's insane to think that even in the summer my weekends get scooped up by work responsibilities, especially since I haven't had time off at Fairfield since I've been hired. There's something definitely wrong with the picture (and I'm simply keeping atop of the work I need to get done). There may be a day where someone will actually listen to me on all the layers of labor that goes into the program I run, the faculty I hire, the students I recruit, the books we use, the supplies we need, the courses I teach, and the scholarships I provide. As is, it's a one man show operating out of passion, but that is not the way it's supposed to be.

I'm thankful for the National Writing Project family, however, for keeping me sane and focused. They understand the work, do the work too, and offer me the support that is nonexistent through my university. What we have is because I don't sleep and do all I can to make it so we have it.

Okay, Sunday. Back to work, but with cooler temps. We got this.

Okay, Saturday. We've Been Eyeing You from Afar, Especially with Cooling Temperatures Coming Our Way and for Having Two Days Where We Aren't Pulled in a Million Directions

 

Highlight of Yesterday? Abu as a frog telling frog jokes.

What’s green, green, green, green? 

 A frog rolling down a hill.

What did the frog order at McDonald’s?

 French flies and a diet croak.

Why did the frog go to the hospital?
He needed a hopperation?

How does a frog feel when he looks at Mr. King’s face?

Unhoppy!

What happens when a frog parks his car illegally?

It gets toad.

It was script day for Ubuntu Academy and not only did Abu rock it, but the youth and teachers from Loyola High School in Der es Salaam sang their national anthem, which was simply beautiful. By the time we got home last night, I told Abu we have 10 seconds to make a decision before I head to bed. That landed us in a pool with Dominik, Kaitlin, Pam, and Oliwia (great choice), followed by meatball grinders. Not a bad way to unwind on a Friday. 

Looks like the rains come in the afternoon, so I'll get Karal out for a walk. I also need to process a billion and one work-related items that I never find time for during the week. 

Captain Stick'em got the crew again. I wrote this script so well, that when one girl stood up to complain about how board she was, I took offense. I thought she was serious, and didn't remember that was the part I gave her. Good job, kid. Good job.

Here's to a restful weekend.

Heat Advisory Shutting Down National Park Sites? No Problem! We Have Kristin Lessard & There's More than One Way to Leave a Sustainable Footprint on the Lives of Teachers

Yes, we were bummed that we couldn't travel to Wilton to tour Weir Farm National Historical Park, but Dr. Novack, Ranger Lessard, and I have been at this game for a while now...it's just that we've never brought it to a room on campus. We improvised. Books from Possible Futures in New Haven, Connecticut, overview of the park, lessons from Rich Novack, and a special guest appearance by Chelsea Leonard-Crowley and the work she did with Ann Burg's Flooded was simply remarkable.

How could it not be a success? Also added to the occasion? Layla's Falafel, which is becoming a summer institute tradition. I need to find the receipt, because I'm not supposed to use my CWP card to buy food, but our plans in Wilton faded, so I had to think on my feet (which happens to now smell like hummus). Alas, ordering for 17, getting it all right, and delivered to the right people was a bit more frantic than I anticipated. It was actually hellish. 

Today, there are no teachers so I returned back to Ubuntu Academy and the young people from all over the world. They are making incredible progress each and every day (as I knew they would). As Abu reminds every afternoon, "It's simply amazing to have these experiences each summer."

I know I am quite exhausted, however, with only one week left. I don't know if I'm coming or going, as it's non-stop answering of emails, making copies, teaching, calling, responding to texts, welcoming guests, distributing books, feeding participants, arranging rooms, and making sure the day to day grind succeed.

And it does. Want to know why? We've built a community, and all the members understand the power of us all together. We grove and move with it, because it inspires us to be better people.

Here's to Rich and Kristin. Always a great day when they're around!

Wonderful to Host Loyola High School from Der Salaam, Tanzania at this Summer's @Writingproject Teacher Leadership Institute and Young Adult Literacy Labs @CWPFairfield

We had a fantastic day introducing ourselves to the teachers from Tanzania and folding them into our summer programs. Down the hall, we also welcomed 9 youth to add to our 32 attending Ubuntu Academy. It was such a fantastic day that Abu didn't want it to end, so we made dinner plans with them and came back to campus to have more conversations and to learn from one another. 

At one point in the day we brought the teachers and kids together to read, write, discuss, play, think, and communicate. It's always wonderful when we can divide youth in threes to talk with adults. It results in phenomenal conversations, new learning, and opportunities. 

In the afternoon, too, we were graced by Barbara Robbins and Fola Sumpter who discussed four years of cross-district book clubs and writing opportunities, pointing out the current political environment is doing a number on opportunities their students have cherished for years. The suburban administrators are putting a squash on such learning because of the State of Fear being fired up by extremists in their community. Hatred has so much muscle. It's sickening, really. 

It was a wonderfully collaborative day where teachers and young people learned side by side in a safe space for exploring language, words, cultural histories, and joy. That was the sunshine we were after and the kids brought it. The educators in the room simply let it warm our skin and give us comfort.

Today, our planned visit to Weir Farm National Historical Park was suspended due to the heat advisory in the northeast. The park system had to close down and we needed to switch up all the events for today. We're good, though. We're the National Writing Project family and we know how to adapt on our toes in an instant.

Plus, the work we do is simply magical. It all comes together. 

In Celebration of Art Teachers (and Culinary Artists) Who Join the @WritingProject Leadership Traditions (& Who Also Bake Vegan Apple Bread in the Shape of Skulls)

I'm sure there's a prompt to go along with this, but I'll just let the photo speak for itself. This is Nicole. She teaches art. She stress bakes. So, she baked for us (might we be putting pressure onto the teachers at this time of summer....demonstrations, anyone?). It's all good. I simply love we build a community that takes care of each other. The smiles on the faces of colleagues yesterday morning when the skulls were introduced.

Day two of Week three was a success. Teachers returned. They shared their creative writing and began to hammer out demonstrations in leadership with their inquiry projects. Today, we welcome a team of Tanzanian teachers and their students, plus workshop with Ubuntu and learn from the incredible Fola Sumpter and Barbara Robbins. Love their presentations.

We had quite a monsoon after work yesterday, but still got Karal a long walk, after cooking dinner for Abu. My presentation is set for this morning and I can't wait to pull 65 people into a room for 60 people to do an interactive workshop on dialogue, sunshine, and finding our homes. I'm so inspired by the books of Jasmine Warga and Jarrett Krosoczka. 

And we're off! Time to create miracles.

Yes, Jessica. It's Year 10 for Ubuntu Academy & I'm Thrilled Will King Has Been the Incredible Wingman (& Leader) for 9 of Those Years. Here We Go Again

Okay, Julie Roneson. I'm hearing your request that there needs to be a documentarian capturing all that happens at Fairfield University in the summer with CWP-Fairfield literacy labs and teacher institutes. I forget that there are 3 to 4 rooms moving at any moment, kids writing in all the spaces, and an absolute joy for learning. 

We wish this was more like school could be.

We do, too. Yesterday, Mr. William King and Ms. Jessica Baldizon kicked off another year of Ubuntu Academy, our program for immigrant and refugee youth. Currently we have 29 youth in attendance, but that number is likely to arrive (and we love our young man from Newtown joining us from Russian). The program requires buses, food, organization, visual learning, perfect books, wonderful literacy leadership, and the expertise of educators who understand what it's like to learn in a second/third/fourth language, especially when arriving from extraordinary circumstances. 

Who else but these two? 

I had the pleasure of being in the space with Abu, Jalen, Mateo, Liv, and Valery and I can't help but be thrilled. The kids are entrenched in literacy from 8:40 a.m. when they are picked up until 3:20 p.m. when they are dropped off (but we could use less I-95 traffic. It took most of us over 90 minutes to get to work yesterday)...with everyone jumping off the highway and taking backroads, it was simply a tremendous mess. But we made it!

For the next two weeks, the young people will be reading a poetic novel, as well as a graphic one, gaining confidence in their English language abilities, writing a piece to be published with their American-born and teacher peers, and having a fantastic time where there's support, laughter, snacks, joy, and encouragement. 

When I began thinking about ways to make CWP-Fairfield youth programming more genuine, the first area I target were the English language learners of Bridgeport Public Schools. The teachers are incredible, the young people motivated to learn, and the systems we provide them, short-changed to provide all the incredible support they need. 

For two weeks each year, for a little while any way, we do what we can through CWP housed at Fairfield University. It takes the community of many to assist the achievement of each individual. 

And We're Off. Week Three of @CWPFairfield Summer Programs. This Week, More Teachers and Bring Forward Ubuntu Academy (with Guests from Tanzania)

Accomplished a 2nd day at the beach and was fortunate to run into Rich Novack there. Small worlds and shared outdoor worlds. It was a great day of grandkids, sand, water, and kayaking. I spent more time on the water in my kayak than I did socializing on land. The water was more choppy today so paddle boarding wasn't that great, but the kayak went fine.

Hoping all the stars align as we take off with buses picking up kids at schools, lunches being prepped for us as we ordered, and rooms secured for two weeks of great fun. I'm also hoping the Tanzanians find safe travel from Der Salaam and are ready for their rendezvous with CWP.

And on the professional front, I have to hold my breath and get my own writing going. I'm on a deadline and the summer work is getting in the week. I need space to accomplish what I've set out (and promised) to do. Hoping I can sneak in a few hours today, since the teachers don't return until tomorrow. This is one of the major reasons I chose 3-day weeks for the teachers. I need mental space to get all the paperwork done.

But on this Monday, I'm already wish I had a weekend to rest and sleep. Probably not great to play so hard on the water all weekend. I'm a lobster. 

Every Once in a While You Get a Photograph from the Day that You Know Will Be One to Offer Serenity and Hope in Years to Come @AbuBility

And I got such a photograph of Abu yesterday on the Long Island Sound as he mastered standing on the paddle board on his first day. The ease of his standing and the tranquility of the water was an absolute delight to witness on an extraordinary beach day of sun, sand, and relaxation. 

All that water and the destiny to stand, look ahead, and focus diligently on the future. 

We had such a good time yesterday that it is likely we'll go back for another day today, although I will need sunscreen. That orb was blazing yesterday and it cooked me medium rare. Now my psoriasis and skin are on fire everywhere....somewhat blending with one another.

Just need to get my lawn mowed, the dog walked, and the sand off of every thing from yesterday. Note: Abu and I are not very smart with bungie chords. I almost killed him once and he almost killed himself the same way. We live and we learn.

A Visit from Michael Turner in Connecticut is such Wonderful Therapy and Healing. Love this Kid. Always Have. Always Will.

I met Michael Turner in 2005 when he was a junior, but also had some interaction with him through a graphic novel club we started. In his junior year, during a poetry unit, he busted out of his shell with outrageously good spoken word poetry and by his senior year, we were on the path of unravel his artistry in all the renaissance fashions that made him who he was. He does not fit into any containers. He was a creative wingman in 2007 and I used him and his classmates as fuel for my soul to get me through my doctorate. 

Fast forward...I have one reunion dinner with him in Louisville at Vietnam Kitchen and then this morning I get a call from him saying he's almost to Stratford, "want to meet up?" He drove 19 hours to see his girlfriend who is here from Dominican Republic. By the time I got home he was on my front steps. I was like, "Who grayed his hair and beard?" He's still the magnificent, brilliant, of the Gods, free-thinker he always was. There's no taming him, and even with a son and daughter now, I see he keeps hims wits in the skies.

I'm looking forward to hearing his music work of late and to hopefully have him return to CT in the near future. 

Week two is officially complete for CWP-Fairfield's summer work and we have a couple more weeks to go. Meeting with Michal & Aidas, who flew in from Lithuania, was also amazing. 

Ah, aging is tricky...reunions are beautiful.

You Can't Make It Up...the @Writingproject Family is For Real, For Real. The Many Roads and Connections to Teacher Excellence is Simply Par for the Course

On the last day of the teacher institute, yesterday, I invited teacher leader Latoya Lisle to do a workshop on her reading (now writing) support she offers at a K-5 school in Norwalk. She used copies of POW to create a writing culture at her school, began after school book clubs, worked with administrators to establish a writing genius culture, and totally revamped literacy with her colleagues. 

As she's presenting, she shares a clip from a CWP-Fairfield Writing Our Lives event where we brought 140 girls to campus to learn from women and how they write in their career, including Brianna Martone who leads her classroom and high school with spoken work. So, Latoya shows a clip of this work to all of the teachers not knowing that Brianna is actually a teacher in the institute this year. Well, hugs, tears, and magic. 

BOOM.

Next think we know, Brianna is pulling up emails she got from Latoya's students and sharing the life-changing experience the young women had. Brianna is overwhelmed at the impact she had and starts this conversation about Latoya's workshop: the passion, the dedication, the flow, the excellence and Latoya says, "Ask Julie and Bryan...two years ago I was afraid to speak up in a room of colleagues."

And look at her now. 

The entire moment was absolutely amazing. When I think of two women who use their voices for good - to advocate most for the students they teach - I think of Latoya and Brianna.

And how lucky we were to experience their moment with them. To see all of LaToya's presentation, including the poem/song by Brianna, check out her Canvas slideshow.

Best time of the year for me. Always.

Had a Whale-of-a-Time on Wednesday, But Now It is Think Through Theater Thursday, Theriously. That's What's on the Docket

Today is the last day for the teachers, and yesterday was a delight working with Dr. Sarah Donovan and Dr. Stefani Boutelier, both of #VerseLove and the national community of writers that I adore. We also had author Janae Marks and writer/teacher Lorien Lawrence in to meet with the novelists. I inhale at 9 a.m. and exhale at 3:30 pm. Thankful last night for the pizza from Kris & Dave. 

Today, we have more treats in store, but I'm thinking of my pillow and how much I really want to sleep 

Wednesday was "We Create-Whale Wednesday" which was planting seeds to get work going towards the script-writing of Theater Thursday. Still loving our daily alphabet doodles to welcome the kids.

Oh, also found time to get my haircut. That's important, too. Another brief post. We have kids to teach. 

Day Four: The @CwpFairfield @writingproject Teacher Leadership Institute. We're Molding Writers & They're Molding Us.

Fortunate for us, yesterday two authors arrived to our summer programs to work with kids and teacher, helping us to think about voice and also to think about craft...we were lucky to have Sonya Huber and poet Jack Powers on campus to do writing workshops and to inspire our best work. There are few words to touch upon the magic of their presentations, but every year I try by participating with some poetry.

Sonya was at her best once again (well, so was Jack) filling up every crevice of white board she could find and she helped us to see how audience might stifle the voice of a beginning writer and how voicelessness is disempowering, so we should be building agency in voice as classroom educators. 

Meanwhile, Jack nodded good poetry with better poetry and called on the masses to make a parallel poem....everyone achieved. The work was exceptional.

Today, we have four more secret guests coming to work with our crews and it's humbling to see how it all comes together. In my "Holmstead Park" poem this year, I went after 2014, the first year Julie and I worked together as co-directors. 

Ruin. The Sun

 

It was 2014. Julie

wore a flowered skirt

with combat boots

and left in a Jeep

towards her home

in Shelton.

Trees were still green

and swaying like trickling

hourglasses along the highway. 

I was 41 then, learning to 

embrace cicadas and songs

of departing summer days.

Perhaps we both

thought about graduations,

the ways milestones get timed

with tossed tassels,

and dreadlocks turn to fades 

and twinsget first chin whiskers 

before they learn to shave.

I was just 41, then,

riding the tilt-a-whirl

fathers do, not knowing

if the ride would ever stop.

I wore Sauconys, 

throwbacks, a

wide-brim cap from

NYC that kept me

looking younger 

than I was.

Her ducklings

unnesting, too…

Broome County,

French horns…

…on the eve of 

adulthood.

So comes these Augusts,

and I still don't know 

how important these tymbals 

are to every song…

even if the car radios

have turned to silence.

Throwing in a Bonus for @CwpFairfield's Programs Because a Special Guy Visited from Zambia with His Wife. Almost 10 Years Later Look Who Came By

To be honest, I still think of Libuya as being on Fairfield University's campus, as he was central to my first four years of working there. It was a different space then: caring, family-oriented, connected, and true to the Jesuit mission. That's why being introduced to him after he took a course with Sonya Huber was so special. Actually, we knew each other already, but Sonya sealed the deal for him when he was working on his own story as a young man from Africa.

He also had incredible mentorship from an American family who, shall we say, lived a rather unusual American life - the kind with houses all over the world and a guest house (with 5 bedrooms) for Libuya when campus wasn't in session. I remember when I first took him to Bridgeport Public Schools to do work with young people and he asked me, "Tell me, Bryan. What country have you brought me to?"

It was still the United States. But that's Connecticut. One can easily have a VARIED view of reality if raised in the Nutmeg State.

I've kept up with Libuya, as he graduated from campus while Chitunga was in his senior year. Actually, Chitunga graduated high school soon after. I knew he married...I will botch this...Choolie...and they are traveling the U.S. now four years later in celebration (they, too, have been held behind by the Covid months). 

I honestly can't believe it was almost ten years ago when he graduated, but he finished in 2014 and I was experimenting with new ways to sustain CWP in the summer. After he left, our programs took off and it worked. The two of them are heading down to Miami for two weeks, but will return here before they go, so I'm hoping to have them over for dinner. Choolie is a teacher and I want to be sure she's loaded up with books to bring home with her. 

Definitely countered a traditional Monday. What a GREAT surprise. 

I'm feeling very, very old, as both Chitunga and Libuya are living extremely successful lives now. Who'd of thought that so many years ago. Blink of an eye, I tell you. Blink of an eye.

Okay, Tuesday...what are you going to bring my way? Whatcha got to top yesterday?

Kicking Off Week #2: Little Labs, Plot Matters, & Who Do You Think You Are? The College Essay & Other Narratives @CWPFairfield @Writingproject

In the tradition of the weekend, we did BJs, hooked up the snacks, went to Possible Futures, picked up more books, and drove to Targets, just in case there's not enough notebooks (the order will likely come in this afternoon). Last week was a tremendous success and we're going to top it this week. I know we will. 

Teachers are off this morning, so I can concentrate on my directorship and being sure all is ready to go. Next week we bus kids in and have to arrange lunches, so that's a lot of double-checks needing to be done today. 

I'm excited to see Abu and Jessica debut their partnership teaching and look forward to the luau they have planned. 

The best news, however, is that I made the Crandall special with garlic bread and rice, boiled corn on the cob (delicious) and allowed Abu do the apple pie with pecans and vanilla ice cream. 

So much for the Ramadan summer of fasting and loosing weight. Can't always time it that well.

At Least One Weekend Day Was Sunny. Glad to Have Abu Back to Mt. Pleasant. Let's See What Can Be Made of a Rainy Day

Chance of rain. 100%. When? All day. This means we'll have to run from our car to the stores, as we need to get more materials for the week. Lookout BJs....here we come....Possible Futures. We're on our way. We need those books.

Abu arrived around six and then we met up with friends for dinner. Quiet night, after Karal's spastic introductions.

We're hoping to check-out a soccer game in West Haven tomorrow, but the weather doesn't seem like it will cooperate...we shall see. Always use a rain event, but it's been a while so who knows how we'll spend the day. I suppose I'll have to cook at some point.

Here's to Sunday. I hope you had an ice cream yesterday for National Ice Cream Day. Also, much love for Ms. Baldizón for finishing the video work of the Labbers last week, so we have entertainment this rainy Sunday. 

It's A Camping Adventure Slideshow:

https://youtu.be/-PZ2D7u66UQ

The Case of the Missing Counselors:

https://youtu.be/dNPZkfpAgRk

Ended the Weekend with a Vision for Success! Week One of Young Adult Literacy Labs '23 in the Books. Year 10 and Still Writing Proud

The little labbers put forward their script for missing counselors and the teens shared their novels and novel covers. The incredible educators who I'm fortunate to collaborate with once again inspired, encouraged, motivated, and delivered solid student writing, and the spirit of the National Writing Project. 

When I swung by my office, I found a box delivered filled with CT Writing Project - Fairfield specs, ordered from a shop in East Syracuse, Minoa. They are a wonderful team and I can't wait for our hats to arrive, too. First, however, we need more composition books! We are short for the remaining programs and I hope they come early next week. 

As anticipated, I returned to Mt. Pleasant on Friday completely exhausted. I folded laundry and tried to take a nap - I was wiped out - but Karal had different intentions. She pounced on my head, bit at my nose, and pawed at my chest. She wanted to eat, to play, and to be entertained. I can't blame her. She's been left alone - will be left alone - much more than she's typically used to. 

It's Saturday. Abu is on his way from Syracuse and I'm excited for the three weeks still to come. As for me, for now, I need to vegetate and reenergize. For the first time in my human history, I'm realizing I'm very, very tired. Sustaining the school year and summers of moving non-stop does not allow for rejuvenation, rest, and healing. I love that I go...go...go (always have), but I get tired (which is not normal for me). 

I need sleep, redirection, and vision.

Hence the glasses which Stefania, a CWP/Fairfield Grad who will bring them with her to Aruba next week as she gets her vacation. I hope she represents them with style - could there be any other way? 

I Should Have Had Yesterday Declared National @Jessie_Early Day at @CWPFairfield @WritingProject Because She Was the Genre of Focus

Over the last couple of years I've been collaborating and working with Dr. Jessica Singer Early, Professor of English Education at Arizona State University and Director of Central Arizona Writing Project. Post Covid, she pulled me in on a project to co-edit an international journal about National Writing Project work (we are seeing strong evidence it will be out any day now) and, in this time, I was sent a draft of Next Generation Genres: Teaching  Writing for Civic and Academic Engagement. I actually had the honor of writing a pre-publication review of her new book, too, and I feel fortunate to know this text was coming our way a year ago.

Wola! Time has passed, the 2023 Invitational Leadership Institute is going forward as it does (beautifully), and yesterday Dr. Early was our guest! It was absolutely amazing to see her present on her passion project and to provide 15 K-16 teachers context for one of the books we're using this summer (btw, it works beautifully with Voice First by Sonya Huber, Writer's Notebook by Ralph Fletcher, Unearthing Joy by Gholdy Muhammad and POW! by last years young adult writers at CWP-Fairfield.

Because we'll be working with refugee and immigrant youth in a few weeks, we also read Lopez Lomong's "Writing for My Life" from Running for My Life. Discussing voice and genre as access to Western culture also tied nicely to Unearthing Joy, and questioning who has been given access to communicating in genres of power, especially in terms of literacy

What a blessing to have Dr. Early meet with the educators and answer their questions. Her approach is practical, theoretically sound, absolutely National Writing Project-oriented, and totally  district/classroom ready for wonderful PD.

Today is our Friday promenade, so students will be debuting their novel chapters with book covers and reader-theater scripts. Crandall, branched all over the place, will be on a paper work mission to catch up on the first week of instruction.

Next week, it's creativity galore, including Who Do You Think You Are? The College Essay and Other Narratives. The teachers are going to get poetic.

It  is the most incredible time of the year. I say it every summer....I wish I had professional documentarians here to capture it all. There's just too much excellence for daily blogposts and i-Phone photographs. It's the stunning blossom of joyful learning.

We'll Call It the 'Jack Attack 2023' as, Once Again, Young Novelists & Teacher Leaders Collaborated for a Workshop on Dialogue & Script-Writing

It's a tradition. I love it. I take the names of all participants and I write a script that actually is the workshop. Every one has a part and by the end, they realize they are powerless because I made them act, work, behave, and perform in ways they probably prefer not do. But they do it. They laugh. They groan at my humor. Most importantly, they get the point that writing is powerful (for the writer) and that they, too, can put dialogue to page. 

This year, the teachers have Sonya Huber's Voice First which adds many phenomenal layers to the conversation.

In this year's rendition, because of the size of the crowd (and all the characters in the script), I couldn't have a dress up dance party in the middle of the room. Instead, I casted our youngest writer, Jack, to say, "Oh, great. I get the worst part of the entire script," and he ran up to the front of the assembly, put on a crazy hat and glasses, and then touched all the others on the shoulder as he ran across the room to make them dance to Pharrell. 

It was also fun to add teachers to the mix, as I was able to get Brianna to do a spoken word piece for the audience....of course, they were my words).

We also did numerous dialogue exercises and played with the novels and narratives we're all writing separately. Funny, Jack volunteered to share his novel and, via dialogue, he introduced the nemesis of his story....the invasive Captain Diaper, an adult diaper that needs to be changed.

Let's just say the conversation he had his superheroes having with the Captain Diaper villain was hilarious. We couldn't believe how brilliant and creative this young man is (his mom was right....put him in with the older kids. Writing is his life. All he does is read and write).

There is hope for the future, and I imagine my own adult diaper will be my nemesis, too.

This is Just To Note That While You Were Doing Whatever You Were Doing Yesterday, We Were Designing Marshmallow People

During the summer months, when we do National Writing Project work with kids and teachers (and we hear from parents and colleagues that each and every day the work is inspiring and joyful), I can't help but think, "this should always be the way." When great teachers share great ideas with great teachers, and professional development comes within the happiness for learning  simply explodes. It is absolute bliss and we operate with what is possible.

I was thinking about this yesterday as I was departing work with the teacher institute after crying tears of joy with Jessica Baldizon about our shared NWP work (check out the lates interview here: https://youtu.be/hTeQ44Ldfc0) and listening to two of our literacy youth leaders, Isaiah and Mateo, share their experiences with writing from 3rd grade to college (which awed the teachers). I was then sent a series of photographs of what Little Lab for Big Imaginations was doing downstairs as the teachers were exploring voice on the 2nd floor.

Of course the little labbers were creating and writing about the marshmallow creatures they designed as part of their camp-away theme this week. First they designed their sugar-puffed creatures, then they filled their writer's notebooks with knowledge about them. I cannot wait to read what they wrote.

Nor can I wait to hear what the teacher's wrote. It's personal story week and in the first hour of doodling together, the talent exploded from the page. We attract the most gorgeous souls in the universe.

I was saying in a workshop yesterday that I suppose the influence of 9 to 5, the movie, was greater on me than I realized. Someone asked how this all came to be and I said, "Well, I write grants. I invest in what teachers say they want and what young people report is missing in schools. I create programs, but these programs aren't just directed by me. The vision is shared and comes from many...the very teachers and young people who love writing, wish our schools were more creative spaces, and imagine the impossible."

It's only day two, but I drove home thinking about a compliment one teacher gave me after her first day. "You're like Katniss Everdeen," she said. "You see flaws in the system, you call out the $##@, and you do what is right for learning...you empower us, the ones that are never listened to."

At first I was like, "huh?" and I ranted to her about Women Warriors, the need for championing heroines like Katniss and not idiots like me, but then I started thinking about the gendered nature of leadership in Western society. I'm in a woman-dominated career. I know who gets work done. I know what fixes the souls of young people. Males at the top squeaking this or that for bigger and better pay checks often don't know what is needed or who actually gets the work done on the floor. The top can't manage excellence because they can't imagine excellence. 

You want excellence? Listen to the teachers. I mean, REALLY listen to them. And if you want even more superb advice. Listen to young people. They are the experts. Be caution of anything or anyone claiming authority. There's always a hegemonic pay scale that may or may not be congruent to the real work needing to be done.

In the land of marshmallow people....the mini-mallows (like those in our hot chocolate) know most. 

It's National Writing Project work. Always has been....always will be.

Effective instruction for the win. 

Full Steam Ahead. Reflections on Day One, Year Ten, of the @cwpfairfield Young Adult Literacy Labs. Phew. So Amazing.

zzzzzzzzz (that's me sleeping). zzzzzzzzzz

Honestly, I've been telling many adults, "I'm too old to keep this energy level up any more." Ah, but when the kids arrive, the joy returns. We had 70 young people, grades 3 - 12, yesterday and they were quick to rejuvenate the joy of writing, the zest for words, and the passion for storytelling. 

Actually, I need to highlight the educators: Jessica Baldizon, Stefania Vendrella, Allison Fallon, and Emily Diggs. I'm amazed by what they are able to get the young people to compose in simply a week's time. 

This morning, however, I also welcome teachers to the teacher institute. I believe we are good to go, and I can't wait to carry forward the National Writing Project tradition. 

Sorry to be brief today, but I'm lucky if I have time to brush my teeth. 

Happy Tuesday everyone.

2nd Year I've Thrown Cosmos to the Flowerbeds and Every Time They Bloom I'm Super-Excited...This Time They Bloomed to Kick-off Four Weeks of Writing Fun

I shouldn't admit this, but I was on campus all day Sunday. Why? I had to move items/supplies from Canisius Hall to Dolan School of Business and to fill the kitchen with snacks, the rooms with funk, and share books in every space. For the 2nd year, we've been given space in the facility - which is a dream for educators and young writers who want to write. 

When I came home from the four carloads of movement, I loved that my Cosmos bloomed once again. It's a happy flower, actually, designed simply to bring a smile to the face. I'll take it.

Day one is always the most complicated, only because all the kinks reveal themselves as the year of planning comes to fruition. Those who lead summer programs, run teacher institutes, and keep afoot with K-12 schools know how much extra work has to be done in order for it all to run smoothly. In addition to juggling chain saws while riding a unicycle in roller skates, this year they've given me a hula-hoop to twirl around my waste and plates to spin. It's amazing to me, but it always gets done. It has to...teachers and young people deserve such excellence. 

I'm also proud to say, Shirley, I got my Shingle Shot. Another post-50 check-list item complete. 

Sh'Zaam!

Most Definitely, with My Middle-Aged Hairy Man Boobs, This Might As Well Be Me. I'm in Overdrive, Convinced I Can Get It All Done.

I don't get summers off. In fact, I've gone 13 years at Fairfield University with no time off, but Christmas Day. I did pack Chitunga up for a 4-day rendezvous to Key West, but we both brought our laptops to get work done. It's in our nature, and it is the nature of our work. I need weekends, holidays, and evenings to catch up on the job I'm actually hired to do.

That is why I took advantage of a very gray day (as I will today, too). I put forward an agenda, began typing, and didn't stop until I was too exhausted to type any more. I need the mashed potatoes to sculpt over the next two months when I have a few seconds to play with my food. There's no way to accomplish the job given to me, but I can make it appear as if it is possible by giving up any semblance of vacation for free time. The eye is on the prize and I know what I have to achieve.

I did take a few minutes to get a post-baby shower dinner brought to me from Stamford. It was delicious and I am thankful.

Otherwise, I was dedicated to one of several full-time jobs trying to put forward to others that I'm doing what I'm supposed to (others who have away messages on their summer accounts because they have summers off).

But I do it all for teachers. And I do it all for kids. I simply love the National Writing Project and cherish excellence that is emancipated by the way our institutions own us. 

Happy Sunday. I'll be typing again today, but I'll also be going to BJs and buying 25 boxes of Goldfish crackers and pretzels. 

This is the labor of love. We got this. 

I've Attested to One Truth Over 51 Years...the One Thing That Helps Me to Sit Still and to Live in the Moment is When a Baby is Around

Was fortunate to spend Friday night with Dominik, Kaitlyn, and Pam over salad and grilled chicken. Also had the pleasure of seeing Oliwia in her full happy spirit, learning to sing beyond banshee squeaks and to play with her woodland creatures (bunny bufu is her favorite). She really is a fusion of her parents and absolutely beautiful. I was successful twice this week at helping her to fall asleep, too, although when I thought my knee ripped through the back of the couch and ripped a hole, my shriek and face made her cry.

The couch was okay. 

They're calling for overcast skies, rain, and blandness over the next couple of days, so I'm taking advantage of that by lying low and working on the mental gymnastics I need to achiever. Next weeks begins the 4-week bonanza that is National Writing Project summer work.

Now I'm wondering what those raspberry yogurt bites tasted like...Oliwia wouldn't share, but she did find them tasty herself.

Here's to your Saturday and your weekend. 

Karal is knocked out. A day with her buddy Jake was enough for her to say, "I'll lie in my doggie beds, thank you." Let me know when it's worth going outside again.

Kicked Off the Teacher Orientation & Gifted Some of My Favorite Writing Reads to 2022-2023. We Are Going to GET SMARTER Than We Already Are

I truly do love when grants allow me to cater a dinner for teachers. Super excited to debut the summer reading with 14 stellar educators in Connecticut as we begin our monthlong commitment to writing instruction excellence and youth literacy labs. Every year, we swear we recruited the best cohort, but the truth is that all cohorts recruited by the National Writing Project are superb. It's in the nature of the work...strong-minded and gifted teachers find their way to the work. It's inevitable, because excellent teachers seek excellence. 

I was super pleased, too, that the campus catering nailed the Southwest Salad dinner with salad, egg rolls (also southwest) and grilled chicken. It was a win, especially since they also brought carryout boxes so teachers could stuff their summer refrigerators. 

I am very thankful, too, for Dr. Joshua Elliot representing SEHD at the gathering. It was nice to have his support and welcome. Also thankful to Dr. Julie Roneson for delivering Next Generation Genres once they arrived to Possible Futures. It's a missing ingredient to the conversations I feel we all need to have  this summer. 

Did I mention that the building we go is air conditioned? Professional? 21st century and usable? There are the occasional perks of the work I'm able to do.

But today is Friday (or FRIED Day) and I'm Fried. It all kicks off next Monday and I have to hold my breath for four weeks.

Here's to what's possible and all the work ahead. It's a labor of love and I love every second of it. 

The Absolute Best News (Superb, Actually) Is These Were Nowhere Near the Real Nutty Buddy Phenomenon. What a Relief!

Mom was teasing about the last bites of Nutty Buddies while I was home in Syracuse and how they always make you want to have another one. It's a secret plot. Same thing happened on the 4th, too, when Pam brought Nutty Buddies. Curse that last bite. So yesterday, while getting coffee at OSJL, I found these chocolate-filled wafer bites in the checkout aisle. I thought, "I'm hiding these in Pam's cupboards."

Well, they aren't as good. I think it must be the vanilla ice cream and wafer cone that warms you up, so when you get to the last bite of the cone, you're like, "Dang. Are there more of these in the freezer?"

I ate one and thought, "Whomp whomp whomp." It was a dud and didn't come near the satisfaction of the real deal. I have to applaud marketers, however, because it's a great idea. I did say, "Well, maybe if we put these in vanilla ice cream like a porcupine, then they might taste as good as we wanted them to. 

Nope. I will not be buying these again. 

Every House Deserves a Soft Blanket & If That Blanket Has Mushrooms on It, Even Better

I asked Lossine if Delaney liked the care package for their wedding after he sent videos of the kittens playing with the cat toys I also supplied. A minute later he responded, "Oh, yeah. She loves it." It really is the softest blanket I've ever felt...like lamb's ear but even softer....perfect for curling up on the couch, especially with CNY winters.

Yesterday was sort of a low-key 4th, with catching up reading/writing in the morning, a few huge rain storms, then a hot dog/salt potato fest at Leo & Bev's while playing Claim to Fame. Of course, another storm came and washed us inside, but it all disappeared just in time for fire-work assholes to be fire-work assholes. I'm all for celebrating independence, but I wish we might do something to resurrect the holiday with more meaning, purpose, intent, and truth. I was thinking about this as I drove to Bev & Leo's...how the red, white, and blue doesn't mean what it used to (and hasn't) since the previous president. I suppose I naively and optimistically thought the U.S. was way past its anti-democratic, racist, and discriminatory ways. Nope. Since 2016, the white-lash has been obvious....the Supreme Court following suit (after all, much of the eugenics movement got its start in the U.S. and I continue to wonder what the 4th of July is a to slave....I'm thinking about Reuben Crandall, the National Anthem, and Walter Scott King)...

star-strangled banter, I suppose. 

I want to believe in freedom, choice, diversity, equity, equality and the rights of all people. But then we have history from the last few years. I'm not a fan of the alternative's view of our holidays and what the flag means for them. I'm not pledging to ignorance, hatred, scandal, and insurrections against what this nation should real mean to itself and the rest of the world. 

And so it's Wednesday. I am sharing the wedding poem uniting two names. Back to work I go. 

Oh, I Lost the Tournament, but I Did Take Isaiah Out One Game on His 18th Birthday (But He Took the Series Before Dave Did Him In....Ha Ha)

Connecticut saved it's thunderstorm for after the first round of the great badminton tournament of 2023 to commensurate Isaiah's 18th birthday. The feathered shuttlecocks didn't help me as much as I thought they would and the 100% humidity was not working for this ogre's mad racket skills. The games were close, but I went down in three. My vibrato was ruined by youth. I should have known better. And young people make up rules and weird boundary lines. That was in...that was so in...even when it lands on a neighbors car.

And Dave's grilling skills, even in the rain, were mad phenomenal as always. Delicious food. Who asks for an upside pineapple cake for their birthday? Okay, that was a good choice, too, and all Isaiah.

The drive back to Connecticut was smooth and uneventful, as I learned 'fish' are not an evolutionary category as we've all been taught, and that it is actually a misnomer and piece of fictional categorization. I know because of LuLu Miller's phenomenal piece of non-fiction writing. Gripping story written with writerly grace...I loved every second of it. 

Okay, Tuesday. It's the 4th and the storms kept the neighborhood sort of quiet from bombs bursting in air last night. Now, if only I can get rest to get rick of this sinus dry cough, all will be well. Hoping for another quiet day (if possible). 

It's Been a Fun Extended Stay, Syracuse. But Karal is Home-Sick and Ready to Return to Her Stratford Grind

Birthday Party tonight for Isaiah. Book to listen to. Thoughts of the phenomenal past few days on the brain. Dry cough from sinus drip more annoying now than ever before all lined up for th 4.5 hour return to Connecticut. 

Thankful to Adamo and Nicole for having a mini-4th of July picnic on July 2 in Oswego. There were no Al Roker sightings this time. He must be spending his holiday elsewhere.

Karal gets to get rest from the chaos of Mimi & Papi's: the lawnmowers, the cars driving by, the walkers, the temptation of food everywhere, and all the other pups to play with....she needs her rest.

So do Mimi & Papi...space without bark-startles.

And we're off to kick-off the busiest time of the year...bring on the teachers and youth. Bring on honey and ginger to kick this cough to the curb. It really is annoying. 

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. @Lbility, Happily Married in Syracuse, New York, During a Beautiful Ceremony & Exceptional Party

It began at midnight and ended close to midnight. The ceremony was short & beautiful (how could I not cry), the food was exceptional, and the dance party out of this world. It took me a while to get a crowd out on the floor, but then it took off (and there's nothing more fun than getting a group of kids from Liberia dancing on the dance floor. Everything is a performance, and Delaney held her own (as did Rhiannon and me). I'll be soar in the morning. She won't be.

Everyone looked beautiful and I can't imagine a better celebration. In fact, I want to rewind time and live it all over again. It was that special.

But I know the two of them are exhausted (Lossine had to coach a game yesterday morning, too) and I'm sure they're ready to settle into their new life (which is a continuation of their old life, just now as an official couple)

I've never been to Armory Sky downtown, but it's a wonderful venue with great hospitality and ambiance. I have a zillion and one more pictures, but I can't post them all here. Rather, I can only say it was a memorable evening and they are a beautiful couple. Welcome to the family....the squad extended a little more.

Here's to the Beautiful Bride & Groom, @LBility & Delaney are Halfway Married (Well, Perhaps Fully, but Part II is This Evening) at Sky Armory in Syracuse

I suppose I never thought about the twins getting older. They were imps in a high school library or cafeteria, fools in a Ford Explorer heading to this or that soccer practice. Clowns who were wonderful with kids during CWP's summer programs. Laughter, joy, entertainment, family. 

Alas, after quite a few years of courtship, Lossine and Delaney are marrying (are married) (will marry again). The families chose to follow both Liberian and Western traditions so extended the ceremony over two days so both families get the full effect (and it's all beautiful). 

So great to be with the Bility crew again yesterday and bear witness that Mustapha not only knows how to dance, but also does a great impression of a kitchen washcloth. He was drenched in sweat from his performance (of course, it was also 90 degrees in the event hall). 

Today is the 2nd half of the celebration and we'll be heading to downtown for more food, dance, cheer, and vows. And the most hilarious part is in-between these events, he and Abu had to coach a soccer game at 8:30 this morning. Um, perhaps the Great Whatever has found a way to tire these two out.

So beautiful. Such blessing. 

Proud.