Education World � Technology Center: Teaching? Learning?br There’s an “App” for That!.

Protagonist Miles Halter, a.k.a. “Pudge,” travels from his home in Florida to an Alabama boarding school where he immerses himself into a new world. With a group of “have nots,” Miles finds a sense of belonging. He develops a love crush on a girl named Alaska–a somewhat crazy and impulsive angst filled girl who ultimately makes Miles question life and the Great Perhaps. He pulls pranks with his crew, including his loyal roommate Chip, who hails from a trailer park. He makes out for the first time with a Romanian immigrant girl named Lara, and he suffers a deep loss.

The voices in this book are real, and the story is often funny; overall, the characterizations provide interesting portraits with an element of realism. Sadly, there is not a strong female protagonist here: Lara, a minor love interest, is one dimensional. Alaska, the only other female to have a role in the story, is a tortured girl who buries bottles of wine so that she can access them when she needs to get drunk (no more details in order to prevent a spoiler). The adults in the book are somewhat clueless, feeding into the universal theme that teens know more than their teachers and parents.

Filled with intriguing philosophical questions and famous last words, this book helps readers to reflect on life, loss and coming of age. The story includes profane language and sexual content, so it may not be appropriate for younger readers or school libraries concerned with mature subject matter. While freedom of choice is a great mantra, the reality of censorship may cost this book some readers.

“Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself.” ~John Dewey

Having spent my weekend with hundreds of educators at the OCTELA conference, I am ready to head back into my classroom tomorrow.  While good teachers truly have a passion for their profession, English teachers have a tremendous risk for burnout:

• First, there’s the paradox of the joy of writing: We strive to inspire our students and to coach their composition skills–but then there’s that giant stack of comps that must be graded on our own time. I have looked at many a pile of papers with utter resentment–when I should be sitting at my desk with a sense of joy and accomplishment. Figuring out how to balance the paper load is something I’ve achieved, in part, by conferring with OCTELA members.
• Next, there’s that feeling of isolation.  As much as I love teenagers, I also appreciate discussion with other adults. So often, there simply isn’t enough time to share with colleagues.  Furthermore, many colleagues aren’t interested in collaboration–which can create that Survivor atmosphere. Attending the conference gives me that sense of camaraderie that reminds me that I am never truly alone.
• Finally, there’s the danger of becoming stagnant. I can remember the excitement I felt as a new teacher…and then the boredom I began experiencing in my seventh year. I feared that I had become the proverbial cliché, as the itch to move on and do something different began creeping into my thoughts. Then I walked into a session facilitated by Ruth McClain…and another by Linda Rice…and yet another by Allison Baer… How inspiring to meet other instructors who shared my passion. How amazing that they were willing to share their brilliance with OCTELA audiences who could return to their classrooms with a new set of tools. 

I am happy to share my insights and my TECHNOLOGY PRESENTATION via PowerPoint from Saturday’s session.  OCTELA is an amazing organization that has brought a sense of family to Ohio’s teachers of English. I know that I would not be the person I am today without the nurturing and support of this group. Thanks, OCTELA, for making the teaching life all the richer.

HERE IS THE LINK: http://colleenruggieri.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/octela-2010.pdf

Here in northeast Ohio, we are recovering from last night’s three inches of pelting rain that pulled down wires over Interstate 80 and flooded basements. My brother is lamenting that his annuals were ripped out of the dirt; hours of planting and beautifying his yard are now a memory—as are the impatiens, snapdragons and other blossoms that would have provided the much needed cheer to the path of a man who spends his days as a criminal corrections officer. My three-year-old daughter, Maya, was terrified as the thunder rolled across the sky and cracked against her bedroom window. Lightning flickered like a strobe light, creating the full effect of a haunted house.

As I look out the window this morning, steely skies are still closing down on us; trees are waving their branches as if they are proudly proclaiming their strength to outlast any storm.  Nature is truly amazing. We manicure our lawns and foolishly think we can tame the wilderness. Just when we settle in to enjoy the view, we are reminded that we are never really in charge. The earth needed a drink, and it got it—albeit it was forced to chug.  Now, as drivers flock to Enterprise Rent-a-Car to replace vehicles that hydroplaned into guard rails, I am reminded:  I do not know where life’s road will lead me. Still, I must drive passionately… but with caution.

These heavy rains remind me of humanity’s never ending quest to beat the odds and swim upstream.  In the loud volume of my hectic life, I must carve out the time to enjoy:

 My adorable, question-asking toddlers,

The frog singing in the pond outside my back door,

Good books stacked and ready for reading,

Friends who live equally demanding lives,

The bike trail just minutes from my house,

Walks with my rambunctious Westie named Belle,

Dance parties with my Ipod.

 In survival mode, I avoid thinking about it–but the reality is that life as I know it may well be washed away by tomorrow’s cloudburst. If the storm arrives, I will dance in the puddles and allow Mother Nature to quench my thirst for living… and ask her to nurture my spirit for survival.