Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Friends

Today I sat down with a friend I have not seen for many years. We planned to meet for coffee. I was curious about her life, how many kids did she have? What's her job? Where does she live? How are her parents? I'm always a bit nervous in these situations, wondering if the conversation will be smooth or if there will be uncomfortable silences. I wonder, is she just being polite? Are we just doing this out of some strange sense of loyalty or obligation? Here's the beauty - when she turned into the coffee shop it was if I was transported back to those days at weekend college. She is as beautiful and fun as ever. We had our whole lives to share - there was a lot there. Our two hours of gabbing flew by and I still have so much to ask and say. What is that? How does that connection happen? It doesn't work for every friendship. But for the two of us - there is so much there. She shared about times that she thought of me because of something I said 15 years ago. And there are many moments in my life that she pops into my mind because of a memory or something that was said between us. I was growing up and figuring out my life when I went back to school. And I found someone who was doing the same thing. We weren't traditional college students. We had stumbled and fallen a few times on the way to figuring out our lives and it was so wonderful to find her there in class. We held each other up and cheered each other on. We laughed together a lot and tried to sort out relationships and family and all of it. I'm not sure that I ever really figured it out, but I found a great friend on the way. Yeah for friends!

Friday, December 11, 2009

The Paycheck

Here's something to ponder. The big banking and investment companies are whining because of the limits on the amount of pay they can offer potential candidates. Since they took bailout money, there is a limit on CEO compensation. They are whining because they are saying they can't get good candidates if they don't have a good compensation package. The trouble with this argument is that we have clear evidence that shows that even when you pay CEOs gobs of money, they still do a really crappy job. So why do they think it would work this time? Here's an idea, pay people a reasonable about of money for doing good work. Now wouldn't that be nice?

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Who We Are

In the past few weeks I have thought a lot about my job. It's true that I love it. Everyday, I love it. I am eager to get to work, eager to see my students, eager to see what they have learned and eager to plan for what's next. How did I get to this place? There are many reasons including the people who influenced me in my life, the teachers I have had, and the inherent creativity that is part of teaching.

My parents are my biggest supporters. They influenced me in ways I will never clearly understand. Most of what they have done is live in a way that is a model for all of us. Being kind and helping others in a humble quiet way is what they do. They don't look for thanks. They don't do any of it for recognition. They do it because they can. They help others because they believe that is what humans are asked to do. It is our obligation to help people who are less fortunate. When I was recognized for teaching it was extremely surprising and wonderful and my parents were very proud. It has been something that I will always remember, but it is not something I was looking for. It doesn't make me love my work any more than I already do. It just raises up the work of education so that maybe others can see its beauty and power and find ways to support our work in schools.

There are many teachers that influenced me in my work. While I cannot describe or remember any of the academic content they taught me, I can remember the way they cared about me and my classmates. Mr. Ario taught us about our responsibilities as US citizens and our obligations in the world and in our neighborhoods. He taught us about kindness and love. Mr. Austrums quietly patiently taught us algebra. He told us about his hopes for us and he loved each of us. He was quiet and gentle in the way he taught and he was joyful in his praise of our learning. These teachers taught me how to live. I love teaching because I love learning. This love of learning came from my experiences in school. I had teachers who helped me discover the power and wonder of learning.

Every day I get to learn something and I get to create an experience for my students in which they will learn something about math (or life, hopefully). Having to use my creativity has been a an unexpected gift. I have learned how think in ways that expand my mind. It's hard to describe this process of crafting a lesson that is engaging and fun and effective. It's challenging and daunting at times. And it is wildly satisfying too.

I work with so many teachers who believe in this work. I look forward to learning more from them.

Create. It will change your life.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Teaching Is Love

When I first started teaching middle school it was awful. I was awful. I drove home many days crying my eyes out and dreading the next day. It was a tough crowd. I was teaching 8th grade math to students who were struggling in their regular math class so they had to take a second math class. Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Who wants to even take one math class let alone two? And for kids who are struggling in math, taking another math class feels like punishment. However, in June, when the year was over, I was eager to give it another try. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. What changed? I started to love them. I started to see them as the beautiful people they were rather than the difficult-to-manage-in-your-face students everyone complained about.

Every year a few students get under my skin. All my usual tricks don't work and I go home wondering what to do. How will I reach her? How will I help him be successful when he won't stop swearing long enough to hear the assignment? I decide to love them. I decide that my job, more than teaching fractions, and slope, and line of best fit, is to love them.

I didn't figure this out myself. Most of what I do is stolen from other teachers I have had the privilege to know. My high school philosophy teacher taught me what it means to be human. My middle school math teacher taught me about kindness. My son's English teacher taught me about how unimportant grades are and how incredibly important love is.

Everyday I learn something from my colleagues, my students, my children, my parents, and my friends. Learning is what I do. Learning is what I love.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Wow - Indescribable, But I'll Try


So, on Tuesday I'm at the gym for a dreaded middle school assembly and I am surprised and astounded because at the assembly I am awarded an awesome thing - recognition for my job. I'm still in a daze about it. I still can't really remember much from the moment they read my name until about 24 hours later.

The teachers at Andersen and the students at Andersen are what it's all about. I work in a magical place with teachers who work harder than anyone and kids who need us all to work even harder. I love my job. I'm not sure if it is true for every profession, but when I say I am a teacher, I feel like I'm really defining who I am. I feel proud to say those words because it is such precious and awesome and gratifying and influential work. I get to be creative every single day. I get to learn every single day. I get to be with other human beings who are learning and growing every single day and I get to be part of that process! Who wouldn't like that?

Here are some things that have happened:
  • Strangers sent emails thanking me for my work.
  • People I went to grade school with sent notes of congratulations.
  • My parents cried and told me how proud they are.
  • My colleagues celebrated with me.
  • Parents of grade school friends left me tearful messages.
  • Past students came to my school to see me.
  • Small sweet elementary school kids stopped to say, "Are you Ms. Spriggs? Congratulations!"
  • My church choir stopped singing and applauded for me.
  • I got flowers from the credit union.
  • People say they are proud to know me.
It's all so humbling. Today was the first day I really cried about it. On my way to work I was listening to a song and I started bawling. Humanity! I love you all.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

It's Just Life

I love how now that I'm a grownup I can look at bees swarming on my flowers and feel happy about the power of nature instead of feeling freaked out and fearful. Now I'm freaked out and fearful about different stuff like falling down stairs or getting in a car accident or losing my memory way faster than I intend.

Be kind. Be calm. Believe that everyone is really doing their best. Say that a few times. It might stick.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Go Ahead


A nice polyester pant is okay once in a while. Live a little.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Who Is Working On That?

It is such an obvious maddening conspiracy. Does anyone really think we are not capable of making roads that stay smooth through the Minnesota winter? I mean really, we can make a hand held device that can do almost anything but we can't make a road? Yes we can. We just choose not to. Because when we have to replace roads every couple of years we help people make money. Dumb rich people making money. Now it is obvious this is true because it is the same model that the nylon people are using. Seriously, no one knows how to make nylons that don't run? As if! We can fly a man to the moon. We can make bacteria that kill viruses in people. We can do SKYPE for god's sake! We can certainly make nylons that don't run and roads that don't crack. We just choose not to so we have to keep making the things and paying for them and making people rich. I've had it! Figure it out people. Let's take this to the streets... oh wait, we can't because of the road construction.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Cover the Crack


No one likes to look at butt cracks. I'm just wondering why we see them so much. In the past 24 hours I have seen three butt cracks. One 60 year-old man, one 30-something woman, and one 13-year-old girl. Can they not feel that their cracks are showing? Do they think crack showing is appropriate? Maybe they think it is just a minor offense, sort of like spinach in the teeth. It's gross. It's crass.

People - pull up the pants. Cover the crack!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

It Happened To Me


This week a Harvard Professor was arrested at his home for breaking into it - he couldn't open the door so he had to break into his own house. Most people have had some reason to break into their house, right? I have. Living with two teens means keys are lost and I am often locked out. That's life. Once when I went to my husband's house, I had no key so I sort of broke in. The security alarm went off and the police came. I simply said I was sorry for their bother and they left. They did not check my ID or ask me any questions. If the cops had checked my ID they would have noticed that my name was different than my husband's name and the address on my ID was from a different state. I would have looked guilty of breaking in. I was worried, but clearly, didn't need to be. I am a white woman, after all.

Professor Henry Louis Gates is black. He was arrested at his home. He showed his ID that showed his address as being the same as the house he was supposedly breaking into. I know these are just two examples and there are hundreds that may or may not be fair. Who knows. But at the very least, the dumbo cop should apologize. Be courageous. Say you made a mistake and then make sure you bring your keys.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Summer

You wonder why anything I have to say would be of use for anyone, but it is useful to me. Did you watch the NAACP Obama speech? If not, please do. It's amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv6EAaoFNno.

Here's what's great about our president:

He takes no crap from anyone.
He says difficult things ("you're not all going to be 'Lil Wayne or LeBron") and he is funny.
He makes mistakes and admits them.
He works hard and then keeps working harder.

I don't really like how he wears his pants though. He's got a little of the mom-jean thing going. Maybe he is trying hard to do the opposite of the butt- showing jean thing, but come on. Be cool.

I've been in school this summer, teaching and learning. Teaching in the day, schooling in the night. I love it. I was trying to figure out what's so great about going to school and it is the process of learning. It is as if I can feel my brain getting smarter. I'm a good student. I ask questions, I press for understanding, I take notes, I do my homework (usually on time) and I help my classmates. Why? Because I care about the content and I care about learning.

How do I get this same thing going on in my class?

I mean really, why should they care about linear functions and probability? It's more fun to talk to boys and giggle and be cute. Really?

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Did You Ever Notice?

Did you ever notice that on the day you have that appointment to get your haircut, your hair looks better than ever (just before the cut)? AND when you call in sick to work the night before, you feel perfectly fine in the morning. They are connected. Think about it.

Mother's Day

I've often said that I have the all time greatest mother. She is unique and lovely and a model for me. I have so many great moments with her. One of the moments that I keep close to my heart is a time when I was quite young I had a bloody nose in the middle of the night. I remember sitting in the bathroom and she was on the floor sitting in front of me holding a cold cloth on my face and talking to me. It was the middle of the night and I'm sure she was exhausted but she just calmly sat there with me until it stopped bleeding. I loved and still love having time with her all to myself. It didn't happen very often in my youth what with all the other children she had to have before and after me.

Here are some other things about my mother that I admire and adore:

She never complains
She knows the birthdates of my childhood friends ... still
She has a better memory than anyone I know
She can talk about her children and grandchildren for hours
She is proud of all of us
She feeds the poor
She always made exactly what I wanted for lunch
After school there would usually be a cookie or cupcake waiting for me
She laughs hard at my dad's jokes
She believes the best in everyone
She never says no when someone asks for her help
When she yelled (which was rare) I know she meant it
When she said, "I'm never taking you girls shopping again" I know she didn't mean it
She listens
She can laugh at herself

Whenever I am with her in the neighborhood someone inevitably stops her and says "Weren't you my pre-school teacher?" And she will say, "Yes, and you were the boy who loved dinosaurs, and isn't your birthday on August 1, and how's your dog Fido?"

Thanks for being so fabulous Mom!!!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

When you Stopping Thinking About THAT Person

So you're with someone for a long long time. And then one day they are gone. Just how long does it take for the thoughts to stop? I remember realizing "hey - I haven't thought about X for a day!" And feeling relieved and surprised and astounded. Because when it first happens, of course, you CANNOT get them out of your mind. It is part of your breathing and your heart beat. Your waking moments and so many things you see and hear and do that remind you. But then a day goes by, and then another and another, then it's a week and then a month and then you know you are changed.

Sometimes when I think of it I just replace it with a happy thought - like a giant flower superimposed over the face or a hot fudge sundae or piece of chocolate cake. It isn't easy. It feels out of my control - but it is in our control. WE CONTROL OUR THOUGHTS. No kidding.

Here are some random questions:

Why do nice shoes hurt so much?

Who thinks yellow pants are a good idea?

Why do we live with animals in our home and pick up their poop and stuff?

Where are the matching socks and the covers to the markers?

Who is stealing my pens?

Why do pencils wear out so quickly and mostly have busted leads?

Why do teachers insist on pencils? Aren't mistakes for learning? Use pens.

Do other people like scotch tape like I do?

How many fonts do we really need?

How did we get two different kind of lower case a's?

That's all for today.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Valentine

My darlings were home for Valentines. I love having them near me. It is comforting. I get the whole animal thing now, more than before. I feel like they are back in the nest. I find myself hovering and protecting more than ever. I growl when people are harming them - literally growling. It is sort of embarrassing for them - but it is my job after all. BACK OFF!

They are both trying to find their way and it is lovely and precious to watch. It is also painful and terrifying. Of course I know the path they are on and I know most of the twists and turns that are coming up for them - but when I try to describe that to them, to warn them, and ease their burden, they don't hear me. It's just the way it is. We all have to find our own way. Sometimes I just want to yell, "HEY - YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THAT WAY! THERE IS AN EASIER ROUTE!"

I'm sure my parents tried to help me too, but those years between 18 and 25 or so, you're really on your own. You can't hear much advice even though you ask for it and want it. You are on your own. Forging you own path.

They will be okay because they are smart and strong. It's just hard to watch them go through the brambles and swamp waters. It's hard to see my children hurt.

I'll get more popsicles.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

These Are The Days

The sun is shining and it is warm but please don't be stupid about it. I mean, really, don't start saying things like, "Yeah, we're heading into spring." Or, "We probably won't have any more below zero days." It's talk like that that brings us all into a deep depression when it hits -5 at the end of February. Just keep the mouths shut about the temperatures. Be good Minnesotans and act like you actually enjoy the winter.

Each year I privately ask myself, when is it safe to say we won't have any more super cold days and we won't slip on the ice or have to get ticked off when digging for our keys in our pockets with gloves on? I believe, here in Minnesota, the safest date is May 1. I know - even that is risky. But April - that's all in your face about spring time and Target pastel crap, but it snows and it's freezing cold in the mornings. So - forget about April. It's May and keep in mind that's a real long time from now. Keep the long underwear on. Don't be shy about layering well into March in April. Believe me, I've been there.

The great thing about winter is that it is similar to childbirth in the fact that we forget about it once we see and feel the beautiful face of spring.

Please keep your weather comments to yourself.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

February in Minnesota

There are days when I feel my head filled with creativity. Stories for my blog! A creation waiting to be formed. And there are days like today when I feel my head crammed with ideas and general stress - but no clear thoughts. Just all jumbled up. So - it is times like these when I make lists.

Things that bother me:

1) Running into people because they don't follow the unspoken rule of "stay to the right".
2) Running out of napkins.
3) Having to figure out grown-up stuff like taxes and insurance.
4) Not having flying cars by now.
5) Cake with nuts or fruit.
6) Cookies with raisins, nuts, or fruit mixed in.

Things I find hilarious:

1) Lisps on the radio.
2) People trying to be serious about things that don't matter - like taxes and insurance.
3) Witty jokes that are left unexplained.
4) Middle school students.

Things that matter:
1) Relationships
2) Finding ways to be kind
3) Being kind

Things that don't matter
1) Everything else

Thursday, January 22, 2009

How Can You Not Be Excited?

It is a new day. This is the moment. It's all about hope and virtue. What a week! What a country! What a man!

My sweet daughter and I had dinner this evening and we talked about the historic nature of our times - this week in particular. And she was struck by how much everyone is talking about how historic this is - she wondered whether it's allowed to talk about history and to "mark it" as history as it is unfolding. It seems a little like cheating.

She wondered if people really realized the importance of those days of dreaming and hoping with Martin Luther King. It was before the internet and cell phones and 24/7 CNN updates. How did it all unfold and when did people really realize the power and importance of those moments and those words and actions?

I am glad that I am here now to live these moments. I am ready to do what I can to help this country along. We are excited to see it unfold and to be apart of creating and working toward something better.

What will it look like?

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Is It Really A Good Idea to Live Here?

I think living in Minnesota is sort of like childbirth. It's extremely painful, but astonishingly wonderful. I'm cold from about October to April. I'm freezing at this moment even though I am wearing long underwear and two layers on top of that, I have the heat cranked, and a space heater blowing on my legs.

In May and June we forget about all this pain and revel in the beauty of Minnesota spring. I can't wait to forget this January. Brrr.

Monday, January 5, 2009

The Blown Fuse

Do you remember the first time you blew a fuse and had to figure out how to fix it? I remember distinctly. I was living in one of my first apartments - it was groovy because it was very old. The coolest thing about it was that it had one of those Wizard of Oz basements - you know, the kind where you had to go outside and lift up a door to get in? There was a dirt floor and lots of monsters and critters in there. I had never even gone in the basement - I just knew it existed. But then of course, I blew a fuse and I had to replace it. I had to do a lot of positive self talk to get myself to go down into the dungeon, but I did it. Did I mention it had a dirt floor and one of those naked light bulbs that sort of clanged and buzzed?

Later in life, after I bought my own house, I would often call my dad when I had fuse or electrical problems. There were times when even replacing the fuse didn't fix the problem - so I called Dad. He lives within walking distance and I always told myself that he wanted to come over to visit, so why not give him an excuse to do so?

Today when I got home from work, but 18 year old daughter tells me she blew and replaced a fuse. I was flabbergasted. She said it with such a nonchalant attitude, as if it was the simplest thing ever. I asked her how she fixed it and she said, well I went down stairs and took a look and replaced it. And then I asked her how she knew how to do it and this is where the magic comes in... she googled it!

I call Dad, she googles. Progress.