Finding HOPE

A few weeks ago, I had to decide to miss NCTE. I have always dreamed of going to Boston, and I was looking forward to seeing my fellow English teacher friends and the people I look up to. The costs and time became a bit of an issue and I realized that it was not the best choice. Now I am starting to coach basketball (I am just the support system for the kids, bring orange slices, that kind of thing), I am neck deep in marking and planning, and I am in the final stages of my Masters program. I could have used the pick-me-up that NCTE would have been, but I also know that my obligations here and the things causing the stress are not going anywhere, and I can't fall behind. So, long story short, I am missing out.

As I was wallowing in self-pity the other day, I got a message from my friend Anna, whom I was to present with, asking if I wanted to send along something still for the presentation. It buoyed my spirits a bit. In class, my grade 11 students have been working on Critical writing, a relatively new task to them, and a few have hit it out of the park, a combination of some changes I have made in teaching and their dedication. In another class, we have been reading The Marrow Thieves. The story is so rooted in hope and students have been so engaged, a group of proud non-readers, engaged in discussions, sharing what they would do differently, expressing sadness as characters are lost and joy when others are reunited. These last few weeks have given me hope. Hope that, while this year has been challenging, it will get better.

This last week, as my favorite space for learning, Twitter, began its death rattle, I reflected on what would come next. As I wade through the ashes of a once beautiful learning community, I wondered if all the other Social media spaces will ever equal what we had—the chats, the learning, the friendships, the community. I signed up for Bluesky when Musk bought Twitter and the word was that everyone was leaving, some did, most stayed, then the site became a safe haven for hate, more left, some stayed, now it is less likely we will find great learning, not impossible, but less likely. Most educators I interact with are either gone or lurking in a once-great place's shadows.

Bluesky seems to be trying its hardest to be a place where we can build community again. It has that vibe Twitter had when it was an excellent place to be; folks are excited. It isn't perfect, but I am hopeful. I am hopeful we can have Lifting Literacy chats again. I am hopeful that educators will find each other again and learn together. I am hopeful for our community.

I want to blog more about the events of room 157. I need to get back to that. We are doing our bi-annual Sock Puppet Shakespeare with my seniors this week. We will celebrate joyful work. I am wrapping up my Masters, I am finishing up a little presentation and writing a Capstone. The light is not just at the end of the tunnel it is within reach. I get to start dreaming of things I wanted to do. Years ago, I organized the Alberta Literacy Institute (with the help of SAPDC). That was a dream for me. I have a new dream: I want to start a video series with teachers. Discussing education and literacy work and talking about the other things that bring us joy. We are whole humans and more than just the work we do. I am in the planning stage, but I am excited. I want to write more, create more, and embrace this excitement that I have been missing.

I hope you will join me.