Maybe the best compliment a middle school girl can give her teacher?

"In most classes I am very shy and don't tend to participate but in your class I love to raise my hand and say something even if I am wrong."

A. felt safe in period six this year, and I am soooooooo happy. I hope she has discovered that making mistakes is no biggie, that she has a voice, and that she has meaningful contributions to make.

The blinds are in!

The blinds are in!!                                ANOTHER CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!

The dust is out!!                               

I see them and                                       FIRST A/C, and now BLINDS!!!!!!!!!!!

I start to shout!

I feel a need

To clean the room

I grab the dustpan

Grab the broom

But no, the email's

Piling up

and meetings ever 

Fill my cup

Appointments

Taking all my time

And grading papers

It's a crime

That blinds so lovely

Show a space

with oh so much

That's out of place

I need a day 

I'll come tomorrow,

A Saturday

(a bit of sorrow)

then realize

that NO I can't

I have to sit 

and watch my aunt

while parents visit

far away

and so no cleaning

is that day

And every time

I think I can

Something pops up

oh man oh man

It's been two weeks

My blinds so new

I can't give them

their proper due

but even though

my room is not

what they deserve

I'm often caught

with dreamy eye

and happy smile

It's been so long, 

It's been a while

since something lovely

and pristine

no kid has marred

so new and clean

has been inside 

this bungalow

(constructed in

19-oh-fo')

and though my room 

does not deserve

the blinds I promise

to preserve

their loveliness

and someday soon

Ill get in here

and clean this room

1.