- for a refreshingly and brutally honest account of teaching in the inner city - Mr. Babylon (has a special link to a NY Sun Times article about teachers who blog)
- Education writer Joanne Jacobs
- Why Homeschool
- Get Lost, Mr. Chips - a substitute teacher's blog
* * *
Imagine
Schools where I might enjoy being part of the English/Creative Writing faculty:
* Interlochen Center for the Arts - Michigan: Philosophy..."Interlochen Arts Academy's creative writing program offers students with little or no prior training in literary craft an opportunity to engage in intensive study of both the theory and practice of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, playwriting and screenwriting. The goal of the program is to help young writers cultivate their talents, to broaden their command of technique, and to introduce them to both traditional and contemporary masters in various genres. Central to the curriculum are the Workshops and the individual critiques - the former enabling students to meet in small groups to discuss one another's work, the latter bringing individual students into an intensely focused critical discussion with the published, professional writers who serve on the faculty. In addition to both workshop and literature classes, the program brings to campus distinguished writers who work with the students to enhance their studies and to provide them direct contact with the world of contemporary writing."
* The Beacon School - NYC: "The Beacon English Department explores literature through analysis and creative writing. Our purpose is to help our students realize that literature reflects certain universal truths that allow us to see others and ourselves as part of a larger whole. While literature can be understood as a product of the time in which it was written, it is a timeless reflection of life that facilitates discovery and fosters empathy. Because of this, we believe that literature is democratic and humanizing.Students are required to pass eight semesters of English. In each academic year students will be asked to present one project to demonstrate a particular form of composition emphasized during that year. In addition each year at the PBA presentation thestudent will present a creative project that explores literature through the creative process. This can include creative writing and/or non-written projects (such as video, visual art, dance etc.). Whenever possible, a teacher other than the classroom teacher will assess or help assess the portfolio piece. // Creative writing will be emphasized each of the four years." ... The school also has unique sports team--including Ultimate Frisbee, Bowling, and Fencing. Plus fun clubs that reflect the intellectual diversity of the school community: Live Poets Society, End of the Tunnel Press, and The Catalyst (an undgerground poetry magazine) are just a few.
* The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
* a Charter School? . . . unfortunately, Washington State hasn't been successful in establishing these yet. (Another site about the charter school movement in WA, http://www.wacharterschools.org/.)
