What a Riot

Spring Fever has arrived at Gwynn Park. The weather is nice, the year is winding down, and all anyone can talk about is summer. As much as I love this time of year, it's the worst time to be a teacher. Keeping kids in line who just want to be done with school is a miserable process. I can't say I blame them for wanting to get out. I also want the school year to be over! But at some point, all that tension boils over, and for a number of high schools in the area, that tipping point was this week.

Wise Senior High School, our neighbor, had a riot on Wednesday. This week was the last week of school for Seniors in the county, and a Senior prank food-fight there quickly turned into a real fight. Twitter was abuzz with pictures of kids engaging a swat team, and the local news reported nine students were arrested. Wednesday night, I couldn't sleep. I knew that this kind of drama would have the kids at Gwynn Park buzzing and that Thursday would be a long day. Our principal sent out a warning message to all the homes, asking parents to tell their kids to avoid senior pranks and stay in line. We took precautionary measures, limiting hall passes and forbidding bags and backpacks. But alas, it wasn't enough.

Third period at Gwynn Park, all hell broke loose. Students dumped baby oil around the ramps and stairwells of the school as a prank, and students slipping into each other quickly broke into widespread fistfights. We went on lock-down mode and herded any student close to our classrooms inside before we closed and locked our doors. We were stuck there, without directions, for almost three hours till the end of school. I had no idea what was going on. The students thought it was hilarious, but as a teacher, it was terrifying. Lock-down means danger. It's the same code we use if there are firearms or intruders in the school.

Finally, we were released safely and everyone made it home. Two students at Gwynn Park were arrested, and mace was used to get the student body in line. That said, we apparently had the school locked down and hallways cleared in only 30 minutes. This is an amazing feat and speaks to the efficiency of our administration, staff and security. Wise could not clear its hallways for an hour and a half.

The week ended on a pleasant note Friday with Prom. Everyone was beautiful and with all the miscreants suspended after Thursday, there was no one there to cause a problem. Prom was peaceful and lovely and I was so happy for my kids. I love seeing the students I care about, the students that work hard and act with kindness, rewarded with the kind of events they deserve. I took some pictures with some of my favorites and put them here!




Peace and Love.

Cloud 9

Yesterday, we had more than 40 people in our backyard for an end-of-the year bbq, and we certainly had reason to celebrate! It's been a few weeks since I've posted (yes, the New Year's Resolution breaks in April! Not too shabby) but those few weeks have been some of the craziest of the year.

I went home for a lovely Easter with my family, and although we enjoyed good food, good company, and a phenomenal egg-decorating celebration (see below) I couldn't fully enjoy myself knowing that my fate in DC was still a mystery. The job search was weighing heavily on my shoulders, and I was stressing about finding an apartment for next year without knowing where I was working and how much I was making.


Seven hour car rides are bad for the psyche. They give you far too long to over-think and over-worry about everything. On the car ride home, I was feeling pretty glum. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was a number I didn't recognize, so I let it go to voicemail. When I pulled over at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike, my life changed forever. The voicemail was from the Center For Education Reform. They are a think tank in DC and their CEO, a woman named Jeanne Allen, spoke to my grad school class last December. I loved her so much and was so impressed by her work that after class I chased her, got her card, and arranged a meeting with her. We talked about the work she does and I asked for advice on how to transition into the realm of Ed Reform from the classroom. She kept my resume from that meeting months and months ago, and when a position opened up at her organization, she brought me in to interview!

That car ride and fateful call was Monday. Tuesday afternoon I was in the office interviewing for the position and a week later, I was offered the job! My new title is "Manager of Development" and I'll be working closely with Jeanne to develop a number of strategies to grow the organization and spread the news of its work. I'll also be building relationships with many major donors, exploring why they have a vested interest in Ed Reform. The position has so much untapped potential and I think there's a lot of room for me to grow! Best of all, they are letting me start work after school as a "consultant," go to Israel, and come back to officially start full-time in July.

As if this isn't all exciting enough, Meredith and I also found a gorgeous apartment on Capitol Hill and signed the lease for it this weekend. It is LITERALLY 2 blocks from the Capitol Building and one block from Union station. The location could not be more ideal and we are so excited to have a place where we can put down some roots and hopefully stay more than a year!







Everything is really coming up roses right now. A mentor of mine from college summed it up perfectly: "You're living the dream! A place you love, great friends, and a chance to do work you believe in....that's what it's all about! Kudos."

I know things would not be so great for me if it were not from all the love and support from family and friends. I am so thankful!

Peace and love.