800. Hard to believe this is my 800th post to my blog. Never–never–thought I’d take it this far when I started this whole thing in response to a challenge by one of my students back in December of 2015. And as I look and think back on my very first post (see below), I realize that while my approach has changed a bit, my desire to change education is as strong as when I took that first, tentative step nearly four years ago.

So have I helped change education? I don’t know. I have changed–dramatically, but I can’t speak beyond the four walls of my room. I have shared a lot of words (roughly 400,000) and some have listened, and I think I have been of some influence, but it’s hard to know if I have actually changed anything. Regardless, the transformation I have experienced in myself as a teacher, as a human is worth the daily, early morning habit I have developed, and that alone is enough to keep me going on my journey to share my classroom and my thinking with the outside world. Maybe in the end all we can really change is ourselves. And as I stand at this moment and look inside, I am pleased with whom I’ve become as a teacher, finding myself a far better steward of my charge to support our youth in their own journeys.

As for my own journey, I am getting better, one step at a time. Might be all that matters.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing with grammar.

…connecting with Freedom Writers via student-led discussion.

…identifying and stating themes for Common’s song “Dream.”

…reflecting in Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Friday, all. Thank you for being here with me. And a special thank you to those who have been with me since that very first step. Couldn’t do it without you.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.