Every great teacher has to know the importance of preparation and creativity. So now that I have the time to prepare and plan I can share my gift of creativity without any barriers to my learning. After my attempt to create a lesson with grilled bacon for breakfast a couple of weeks ago, I learned valuable lessons. Trust me it’s safer for me to write than cook. After all, I set the grill afire, a real fire with lots of burning. Really, this day was Bacon Day in the Castle but no children were smiling. And nobody in Mudville likes to smell burnt bacon or see the terror on my face as I stared at the flames all over the place.

Relax people, everything is ok- the kids are great and I have peace in the castle. So please tell the Academy’s fans that while I am shining lights everywhere in my world, that even though I tend to get too hot and get dangerously close to the flames, I survived cooking bacon on the grill. It went up in flames but that’s ok. I tried cooking bacon for the kids and sharing my message but learned another lesson instead. Be creative and take academic risks. But stay vigilant because at any moment your dream can go up in flames. Like my kids’ bacon.

Now that I have burned down the grill, dropped dishes and the glass olive oil bottle in the kitchen, and fallen down the stairs with laundry- the number of places I am allowed to work in the castle have been limited. I think with the left wing in a sling now I will stay on the couch or in my chair. If the sun is out, I will count the sand grains on our beach with Wally. Or I can risk the hammock. But I have a few voices in my head saying that anything that swings could be harmful to my health also.

You should also listen to the feedback from your peers and students-and for me… the Real Boss. When she says, “That’s a terrible idea- go sit down!”, I don’t question her. I accept the feedback and head back (with head down) with my confidence cowed to a safer place. I also have stopped coming up with great brainstorms. I tend to think I am all powerful and invincible. You know- like a teenager. Maybe what Sister Joan worried about is true. I will forever be 14.

It feels like I have been in recovery since I was 17. (When the first knee surgery took place). Wait- let’s call it 16 when I broke and dislocated an elbow. Yes- of course it was my left arm. Yes- two devastating injuries sustained on the soccer pitch. Irony here: Mom did not want me playing football because it was too dangerous. My right side is good. Left, the sinister, evil side- all bad. Except for my left big toe. That dog is good. My sole is not good either on the left side. Big corn there. (Not the kind you want to eat). I’ll post pictures when I can do two things at once again.

Sorry for the medical history. But it can be enlightening to see how much construction work I have needed and how little it interferes with my daily goal. Be grateful and happy and help others do so also.

So, yes. Lesson plans will go up in flames. And the meat of your lesson burned beyond recognition. But keep moving. If you are planning with the proper objectives, and engaging lessons, ultimately you will get where you need to. Good luck planning. But remember you have little or no control of what happens next. And the minute you think you have it. You have really lost it. Know what I mean? Good teachers know. Control is not what they seek. Control is an illusion that provides a false perspective of your classroom reality. Really- the classrooms where the teacher believes they are in control often have the most kids sleeping. If the classroom is amazing- the students are the ones in control, leading the way to discovery and learning in a safe place. The teacher is simply a facilitator of learning for the ones who should be in control. (Here’s hoping your kids have at least developed self-control).

That’s all for today’s lesson. You also have to know how to wrap it up and get your feedback from an exit ticket. I think the look on the Real Boss’s face when my smoky face told her about the bacon disaster was all the feedback I needed on this day. Remember, bacon on the grill was a great idea, but I thought I had control of the grease. I was only fooling myself. See, I had to walk through this fire so I could experience the pain and thus be inspired to write to you all! I do not want anyone to make the same mistakes I have. In fact, I have made so many mistakes I am probably considered a genius at this point. Assuming I learn from them, right?

Thanks for sending me more bacon. Usually my wife brings it home. I can’t right now so I will just say…

Thanks for Coming!

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