Putting Myself Out Here



This entry does fit with my blog. Notice that
the Star reporter stated that I was in
"writing boot camp."  BOOT CAMP is a recurring
theme in my get-out-of-my-comfort-zone life!



I know that many (read: none) of you come to this blog to read about politics or education, but it's time to put myself out here with my political and educational beliefs for an organization that taught me to put myself out here as a writer, as a teacher, and as a get-out-of-my-comfort-zoner.

Dateline Summer 2005:

The Greater Kansas City Writing Project at the Writer's Place in Kansas City

I was a new teacher: intimidated and tired.

Though I came from the corporate world with a background in journalism and public relations, I wasn't doing what I knew that I should be doing with my students -- writing alongside my students and making sure that my students were authentically writing, writing, and writing.

I was scared to let down my guard in front of my students and colleagues.

It was time to get out of my comfort zone.

With great trepidation, I applied, interviewed, and was accepted as a member of the 2005 GKCWP Summer Institute.

In a safe, comfortable environment, I  relaxed, let down my guard, wrote, shared, and was healed.

I became okay with going out-of-my-comfort-zone as a writer.  I became comfortable writing ALONGSIDE my students and climbing into the trenches as a writing teacher.

2005-2011

During the past six years as a GKCWP teacher consultant, I have proselytized the good news of being a partner in students' writing via teacher inservices, writing retreats, and conferences. 

Just as I thought the good news was being heard, and I've seen a resurgence in good writing practices take place in many schools, I learn that

The National Writing Project has now been cut by 60%.

SIXTY PERCENT!!!

My people.

My educational heroes, Donalyn Miller, Kelly Gallagher, they are NWPers.  These are the voices that keep me and thousands of other English teachers inspired.  Along with NWP initiatives, these phenomenal teachers and writers push us out of our comfort zones.  Without their voices funnelled to us through the NWP, we start to fizzle.

I fear that these cuts to the NWP will silence up-and-coming language arts voices, and push English teachers, saddled with the weight of standardized reading and writing tests, back into their shells -- defensive zones of standardized monotony.

I hope that we pull up and out of this cut-educational-funding trend that gets deeper and deeper.

Maybe if those of you who come to this blog to read about Paleo and fitness are inspired to learn more about educational funding cuts, such as the 60% cut to the NWP, and how these cuts impact you and your children, decide to stand up against cuts to education funding, we can all make a difference.

If you'd like to contact your legislator about NWP cuts, please leave me a comment, and I'll send you in the right direction.

jpq

P.S. Check back tomorrow for an update on my 1/2 marathon AND a Coach Rut tip for ordering Paleo-style Chipotle.