Have you ever felt as though no one is listening? That expressing your serious concerns is just an act of futility? This is how it feels to be a teacher in the 20-21 school year. The following is just some of what you may hear us trying to shout. (This is not an exhaustive list,…
Home for the Holidays

Usually, I am pretty obsessive when it comes to decorating for Christmas or decorating for anything for that matter. When the Christmas bins come out, I usually take hours to sort through, combining old and new decorations, trying to come up with picture perfect arrangements. Sometimes I take days to sit and look at things…
Fall Fears
I made the mistake of watching Betsy DeVos being interviewed on TV last night while she robotically repeated the same two phrases over and over again- “Students must return to school in the fall” “Students must be full time learning” and never answered any of the actual questions being asked. No answers about “how” this…
Political Science

I am not sure when I developed such a love for learning science. It could have been when I was younger and had dreams of being an astronaut. It could have been that AP Physics class that I took in high school, (but probably not, our “independent study group” spent more time playing card games…
Weathering the Storm

I have to admit, after writing my last post toting about the “positives” of our current global situation, it has been pretty difficult to stay positive. There are good and bad days. The bar for the “good” days has been set pretty low. I talked to a loved one on the phone, video chatted with…
Piecing Together the Positives

We have started week two of "social distancing" and "staying and working at home" because of Coronavirus. The only time we have left the house is to go to the grocery store to get what is left on the shelves while sharing anxious glances with everyone else there. We come home to be surrounded by…
It’s not Brain Surgery, it’s Tougher!

I recently shared the following quote with one of my classes, "A teacher has to make more decisions in a day than a brain surgeon." I had seen this quote numerous times on social media. I was jokingly sharing the quote with them because I had to completely change my lesson at the last minute…
Corona Cynicism

In the last 48 hours, my school district has cancelled school for two weeks (oh wait... now three weeks, tomorrow it will probably be five) my governor has closed all restaurants, bars, gyms and any other place where more than 25 people would gather. And the rehab where my father is staying locally for PT…
A Warm Mug of Local Good Vibes

I recently indulged in a frothy, warm mug of "Golden Dragon" at one of my favorite local places. The Rose Room Cafe is an oasis of warmth, friendly faces and positive vibes in a run down section of downtown Webster, MA. You can't help but smile when you walk in and are greeted by the…
Market Madness

ThMuglifers went on a mission this weekend to check out the new Worcester Public Market. This newest addition to the city of Worcester is part of the revitalization of the Canal district in preparation of the new minor league baseball park for the "WooSox" team. Neither of us are strangers to the Canal district section…