My journey as a teacher at MSD
We had a Code Red drill at school today. A real drill, not the way we’ve done it throughout COVID. I had a “dream” about it last night. I was in my classroom following protocol, and suddenly the kids stopped listening. One opened the door after the code was called. I lost it & began … Continue reading January 13, 2022
I have COVID. Again. I am fully vaccinated and boosted. I had COVID in Dec. 2020. I went to urgent care on Wed., 12/22 for what I thought was an ear infection. I was given a script to clear up my ear and sinus congestion, since ear-nose-throat things are so much fun. While there, they … Continue reading December 24, 2021
I (finally) saw “Parkland Rising” today. It was featured at the Slamdance Miami Film Festival. I participated in the filming over three years ago. I recently received a text from Lori, a producer who linked me with the project initially, and who I’ve kept in touch with over the years. She told me about the … Continue reading October 30, 2021
It was college week at school. I don’t have any college shirts… well, that’s not entirely true. I don’t have any from the college I attended, so I wore sorority shirts all week. Once an Alpha Xi Delta, always an Alpha Xi Delta. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Continue reading October 11-15, 2021
I found out today that my good friend Karen Lisa passed away two days ago. It was very sudden and I’m not really sure of the circumstances. I know it wasn’t suicide and I know that she wasn’t sick. It just breaks my heart. She was 39 with two boys; her oldest is the same … Continue reading October 14, 2021
My parents were cleaning out the closet in what was my brother’s room & found my Girl Scout uniforms. I was a Girl Scout from 1985-1993. My mom was my troop leader; I started as a Daisy and went through to Cadet. By the time I was a Cadet, there were only three of us … Continue reading July 24, 2021
I went to Pulse today. I live three hours away & have never been. As a gun violence survivor and LGBTQ parent, it was more important than ever to go, pay my respects and be there with my daughter. I went to the little merchandise kiosk and got shirts for both of us. The woman … Continue reading July 9, 2021
Today was the last day of school. Well, yesterday was my last day on campus. I took this picture right before I left for the day, although this could’ve been taken any day this year. This year was sad, lonely, ridiculous, stupid, comical, frustrating, stressful. This year was something. I never got the chance to … Continue reading June 10, 2021
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Class of 2021 graduated this evening. I always look forward to graduation, but this one felt very different. Obviously, COVID made this year ridiculous, so the normal relationships I have with my senior students was all but absent. On top of that, these were the students who were freshmen … Continue reading June 8, 2021
Today begins Gun Violence Awareness Month. I wear orange for Alyssa, Scott, Martin, Nick, Aaron, Jaime, Chris, Luke, Cara, Gina, Joaquin, Alaina, Meadow, Helena, Alex, Carmen & Peter. I wear orange for myself and all of the survivors of 2/14. I wear orange for Columbine, Sandy Hook, Pulse, Virginia Tech, countless churches and synagogues. I … Continue reading June 1, 2021