I spent last night trying to make the cake pops that I've been seeing all over the internet, but I’m pretty sure that there was something wrong with the chocolate because it kept coming out all goopy instead of nice and smooth. So while I’d intended to make ghosts and skulls, these are still pretty hilarious.

Here’s looking at you kid!

Also, I scored very high on my first teacher evaluation done by the TCHS Principal. He said he was very impressed by my "ingenuity in lesson planning, enthusiasm for the subject area, and ability to manage THOSE students in a way that pushes them forward."

In the words of the volleyball team.... "BOO-YAH!"

I've been not putting up pictures here for a while, but these are kind of awesome.

Over Native American Day weekend, (known as Columbus day to some) I had the pleasure of travelling with another teacher down to Rapid City. We shopped, we ate out, and we ended the night by going to the Black Hills Pow-Wow. It was awesome, so I thought I'd show you some pictures.I live here.


The Pow-wow started with a ceremony to honor the victims of domestic violence, which has been a problem here for many years.

The "tiny-tots" will always be my favorite category at the pow-wow. You can't tell in this picture, but the little boy in the blue bandanna is in traditional regalia and light up shoes. WIN.



These three little girls flirted with Emilie and I all night. Later we found out that they were hoping we had candy.

These two got engaged during the pow-wow, (and I think this is just a really cute picture).

If I'd been a little guy, this man's regalia would have frightened me. He was eerie and also he glows in the dark.

So that was my day in Rapid.
It was a really cool experience.
I'd do it again.

let me tell you about the "credit recovery" kids

I get defensive some days. 

Some days, when people imply that my kids are dumb; 

Some days when my administrator implies that there is nothing I can do to help some kids, that they are lost causes and I should stop thinking about him or her; 

Some days when they hurt each other or themselves, I want to shake them and find a better way to explain to them how much value each of them has as people;

Some days its just a lot to stand up underneath and I get defensive. 

I am not defensive that I am a good teacher. Some days I’m just barely teaching anything. Some days I’m not a very good teacher. 

I’m not a great teacher, but let me show you how smart they are. Let me show you the amazing level to which my kids are able to talk about race and stereotypes in their lives.  

Go ask my kids about civil rights. 

Ask them about THEIR civil rights movement. 

Go ask them what they want from the NEXT civil rights movement. 

My kids are BRILLIANT. 

No, not just the ones that passed my unit assessment. No, not just the ones that participate. Not just the ones that hand in their assignments. All of them. The things they say, the things they notice, the things they’re willing to put on the table. ALL of my kids are SO smart. 

Some days they’re tired. 

Some days they’re angry. 

Some days I’m talking too fast and giving them too much. 

But every day, at least once, they shock me with their brilliance.