My 14-year-old son just saved a mouse that my husband and I went to great lengths to kill today. Doesn’t that about just sum up parenting. We (teenaged son and I) both clearly see the[…]
Do You Have a Good Self-Esteem? Why?
Those two questions kind of threw me off yesterday. They were two in the midst of a gazillion that the foster care caseworker asked us to become certified foster parents. Turns out, when you agree[…]
That Time When I Got a Breast Cancer Scare, Two Foster Kids, and Covid-19
Hi. I thought I would just catch you up a bit — minus the Christmas card. We all know 2020 has been one of the hardest years of our lives. But the last three months[…]
The Libratory: A Labor of Love. Pandemic and All.
Four summers ago I began a little project called “The Libratory.” Let me back up. Hello, my name is Miranda. … and I’m a recovering workaholic. After almost a decade of teaching high school ELA/Journalism,[…]
Rethinking Remote Learning: Ephipany #1 – Blended Learning Needs to Happen. Right Now.
Welp. I have had the last six weeks to recuperate from the “Covid-Inspired Remote Learning” experience. I bet many of you have too. And after resting my brain for a good month, I’ve come[…]
Stop Blaming the Media
I published this column 12 summers ago. It seems more important NOW than it was then. There’s nothing that gets me going like a room full of people bashing “today’s media.” I’m fairly certain[…]
I Am a Racist
Hi, there. My name is Miranda. I’m a mama, teacher, Christian, and a racist. I didn’t think I was a racist before this week, which honestly, really solidifies the fact that I am one. How[…]
What We Did in the Libratory this Spring (And Check out Animoto for your Video Projects!)
Hi friends! So this spring I really got the chance to play around with the free version of Animoto. Animoto is a movie-making website, and it is the COOLEST. Plus, bonus: it’s easy and it’s[…]
Quarantine Confessionals: That One Time Everything Closed
Quarantine Day 56: Well, it’s been an interesting quarantine. I hate to admit it, but if I am being truthful, this was a sort of good time for my family. When everything closed: My Life[…]
Back to the Libratory: Doing STEM/STEAM Online with the Libratory Dance Party
So, how do you do hands-on learning online? I am going to go down that road. I’ve had one week to try to think about that, and help other teachers as we all figured out[…]