Arica's introduction

I am in my 33rd year of teaching language arts (started teaching speech) at the same middle school in Clinton, Iowa. I taught one semester at high school but was then "promoted" to eighth grade and have been happy there ever since. My middle school years were challenging as are anyone's, but I especially remember the teachers I had who went the extra mile and who really cared about us. I think that's why I find myself at home with eighth graders.

My husband retired this summer. I am glad he has the time to enjoy now, but I was thankful when school started to get back to my own business. Our sons are 35 and 22, with one still at home but trying to implement a plan to move on. Johnnie Bunko's manual purports "there is no plan" but if Ben is to be successful getting established in the real world, he will have to come up with something that looks mysteriously like a "plan" to get his father's $ support.

Three years ago I attended my first literacy institute in Des Moines where I met Angela. It changed teaching for me. I had been looking for a course to help me teach reading to my eighth graders. I was totally disillusioned with anything offered for those of us "in the middle." We were losing ground with students and I knew there was something not clicking. Everything Angela shared just fell into place for me. Our district committed to a long term plan with Angela and learning via literacy has transformed our classrooms bit by bit. I feel much more connected with my students. We have real conversations. I know they are thinking and comprehending and sharing about real questions they have. My questions are no longer the focus. I see this happening from kindergarten up in our district, and I have no plans to retire soon as I want to be there when that first group makes it to eighth grade to rejoice with them in their learning.

Hello Arica! You are lucky to have actually met Angela. I have only been able to learn from her via the Internet. I hope this forum will catch on and we will all learn from each other.
Jodi