Can't wait to meet everybody and get started!


Hi! I left a comment a while ago, (May 12) but got no response, so I figured I ought to try again. I have been a freelance writer/editor for most of my life and am new to teaching. I guess that's a good thing, (becoming a teacher) since most of the people I know in journalism are looking for jobs or worrying about layoffs. I have raised three kids -- two in college, one starting high school next year. I stayed home and freelanced while raising them. I am having a heck of a time teaching journalism to high school students who: don't care about current events; and have very little writing ability. I am also in a school with little or no accessibility to computers or laptops. I'm supposed to get a Promethean board next year and be promoted to yearbook adviser. This year I treaded water (barely) with an averkey that worked when it wanted to and an overhead with a dim bulb (no, not me -- I don't think).

This year (my first teaching journalism) I asked them to read the local paper every day and then we discussed the issues. I tried to steer them clear of domestic violence, pervs and etc. and to focus on more global issues (for example: questionable practices in the area United Way leadership -- anybody heard of Gloria Pace King? and the election of Obama). We read and then wrote about the readings (SSR -- silent sustained reading).

We also attempted to publish newsletters in groups as our final project -- quite an endeavor, but possible thanks to the kindness of our media center specialist (read LIBRARIAN).

As I am housing my mother and my father-in-law (who both recently lost spouses) for a few weeks; attending graduation and awards ceremonies exercises for my youngest; and moving into a new classroom, I have been really looking forward to Phoenix which is coming along very soon. Can't wait to meet all of you and get to know you -- Lynn Wolf Dulcie