Posts Tagged ‘responsibility’
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013
Guest post co-written by W.O.R.D. Ink team members, Jaya Mukherjee & Vanessa Ziff Lasdon
I love the revision process because in writing and life, to revise our process can signify more about us than the art we create. The challenge we must pose to ourselves is to revisit something familiar with completely new eyes. Whether it’s an essay, a facet of our own identity, or our perspective on the world, if we approach revision with an open mind, the process can be an opportunity of discovery and exploration. I find this notion of revision to be particularly pertinent during the holiday season.
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Tags: advice, advocacy, celebrate, challenges, DISCOVER, holiday, inspiration, life, literature, motivation, parents, practice, process, purpose, responsibility, REVISE, self-expression, storytelling, strategy, students
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Wednesday, April 10th, 2013
Ongoing Observations on Progressive 21st Century Educational Philosophy & Practice
I had planned to hit the hiking trail yesterday as my reward for teaching two weeks of intensive writing workshops over spring break. Both workshops are still in their infancy. Before this spring, I’d taught the Writing Skills Intensive only once last summer and the Tabletop Moviemaking course twice previously. But I’m a fanatic about research, revision, and reflection. Throughout the workshop weeks I’d constantly tinkered with my curriculum, adjusting its scope, sequence and delivery into the wee hours of the morning, making note of future changes like a mad scientist on the brink of a breakthrough.
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So like I was saying…hiking. That was the plan on a glorious Monday morning. Coffee in hand, sneakers tied, I rifled through a few emails, browsed my favorite blog feeds, and well…one thing led to another (damn you, Internet Rabbit Hole.) Anyway, I found myself –- by way of the righteous GOOD.is – first at the articles written by, then at the personal website of, my friend and ex-colleague, Chris Thinnes.
A.) Wow. Chris never disappoints. He’s one of the most articulate, intelligent and exciting guys I’ve ever met.
B.) Serendipity? Chris’ recent guest post on GOOD, (“Stop Exploring ‘Innovative Education Models’: We Need Action Now”) made me jump on the couch in bounce position. Forget the hike. I was already headed to church.
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Tags: advocacy, collaboration, communication, community, creativity, education, educators, inspiration, motivation, OBSERVE, parents, practice, principles, process, project-based learning, purpose, reflection, reform, responsibility, students, success, teachers, values
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
This Saturday, 2/16: March As One
For this week’s OBSERVE post, W.O.R.D Ink implores Angelenos to March As One this Saturday, February 16, 2013! Stand by educators, families, and public education advocates participating in a crucial community march and rally to drive voter registration and turn out for our March 5th school board and mayoral elections, to raise awareness about unequal access to high quality education, and to ask our candidates to listen to the community and commit to strengthening our public education system.
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Tags: advocacy, educators, life, motivation, OBSERVE, parents, purpose, responsibility, self-expression, students, teachers
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2013
Keep Calm and Read On. That’s the theme for this year’s California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) Convention, taking place February 8 – 10 in Santa Clara. W.O.R.D. Ink is devoting our week’s blog post to considering this theme, with a slight variation extended to all learning:
Why is it important for a teacher to keep calm and teach on?
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Tags: advice, DISCOVER, educators, inspiration, literature, motivation, OBSERVE, parents, practice, reading, reflection, responsibility, REVISE, success, teachers, technique, W.O.R.D. of the Week, word lovers, WRITE, writers, writing process
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Tuesday, January 8th, 2013
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Last week I made a plan to write and I did not stick to it. At least, not the way I’d intended.
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Life got in the way again, and I just let it barge right through my carefully carved-out quiet time. Then I spent the rest of the week feeling terrible about not having kept the promise to myself. Well, today, I’ve decided to shorten my post in OBSERVANCE of the writing I must complete.
You will find Silas House’s observations on The Art of Being Still quite apropos for creators of all kinds. Please take a look, if only to press the “reconnect” button within yourself as an artist. The essence of House’s reflection boils down to this:
Stop talking about writing or not writing, and Just Do It already.
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Tags: advice, commitment, creativity, imagine, inspiration, life, listen, live like a writer, motivation, OBSERVE, parents, practice, process, responsibility, sensory details, serendipity, stillness, success, technique, wonder, WRITE, writers, writing process
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Tuesday, November 13th, 2012
Have you OBSERVED your students’ online habits lately?
I first spotted this infographic created by KBSD Digital Marketing on Lisa Nielsen’s Innovative Educator site, and decided, along with Nielsen’s reference links, that it was a must-share with you all. The infographic does such a great job conveying the reasons and ways we can help our students (as educators and parents) manage their online reputation, that I have little need to add my own two cents. Except to say this: kids do not inherently understand the value and impact of their e-reputation. They are not necessarily tuned into the challenges they face each day in maintaining strength of character and in preserving the integrity of their digital identity, as they trawl their favorite social media platforms. While we have them in our sights, let’s be aware of our own obligation to teach and model responsible online engagement. Regardless, mistakes will happen. Boundaries will be crossed; lessons learned. Whether you are an educator, a parent, or both, share this post and reach across the proverbial aisle to observe how both schools and families can play key supporting roles in an ongoing dialogue about students managing their e-reputation.
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Tags: advice, communication, educators, infographic, life, OBSERVE, parents, reflection, responsibility, self-expression, students, teachers
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Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
Today is a WRITE post, and that means providing you with the encouragement and opportunity to get your thoughts down on the blank page. Consider this Dear Luck post a spiritual pick-me-up quick-write that you’ll want to revisit time and again.
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Tags: accountability, advice, challenges, creativity, deadline, drafting, dreams, effort, goals, guidance, inspiration, inspire, journal, life, mentor, motivation, persistence, practice, process, publish, purpose, quick write, reflection, responsibility, self-expression, success, technique, vision, WRITE
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
“I’m too busy.”
Do you know how tired I am of iterating that refrain? How I wince at the worn-out words?
It’s been my ball-and-chain, my masochistic modus operandi, for the past twelve years. Yes, I’ve been a slave to responsibility. The calendar is my master. It reminds me to take my vitamins and floss; to get dressed, clean the cat box and water the plants; to see a client, post to Facebook, and go to bed. It even dictates, “Saturday – Free Time: 11:30-3:30.” Worse, that free block inevitably shrinks as extra work spills over from other times in the week when I was too exhausted, too distracted, or too disinterested to complete a “Must Do”; when I defied orders, reshuffled priorities (aren’t they more like suggestions, anyway?), and caught up on Modern Family. I’m surprised I haven’t squeezed in a regular, “Have a good cry, 3:30-5.” Of course, getting a business off the ground is no easy feat, so some allowances need be made when I’m still working through L’s and my Friday Breakfast Night routine. Still, busybodies are boring and I refuse to accept “workaholic” as my permanent middle name.
It’s not only me. All my clients and friends are “completely booked” too. And living in Los Angeles, you factor in drive time with every activity. So half the time, I’m just rushing around in raging traffic. Busy is an Angeleno’s norm, as sure as our Cali-blue sky and insatiable caffeine habit. Some of us cling to the craze with pride; for others, there’s just no way out right now. Many of us haven’t stopped to consider whether there’s an alternative.
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Tags: abundance, ambition, boundaries, burnout, business, children, choices, creativity, expectations, free time, freedom, fulfillment, gratitude, happiness, life, Los Angeles, OBSERVE, parents, peace of mind, perception, priorities, productivity, purpose, responsibility, strategy, stress, success, teachers, time, wellbeing, work
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