Comments on: Slice of Life: Holding Hands to End A Conference

By: GirlGriot

GirlGriot — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:15:52 +0000

That ending really moved me, too. Just picturing you all holding hands and pledging to give that support to your students was really powerful. It sounds like a great conference … had to be if they were smart enough to ask you to give a keynote address!

By: dogtrax

dogtrax — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:14:32 +0000

You all (y’all?) are blowing me away with your kind comments and insights and the way you are adding your voice to the mix here and at Two Writing Teachers. Thank you for taking the time to write a few words. I appreciate it.
Kevin

By: Kristi

Kristi — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:08:13 +0000

Isn’t that what we do a bit, virtually, as we read each other’s slices and encourage one another to be better people and better teachers? Aren’t we holding a virtual hand out and saying ‘let’s do this together’?

By: Ann Marie Corgill

Ann Marie Corgill — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 02:03:36 +0000

Kevin–I hate I missed seeing and hearing you yesterday, but I thank you for this post and thank you for bringing me back home to Birmingham to experience what you guys experienced with Sharon Draper. Wow. Those teachers were so fortunate to get to learn with both of you. Hope our paths cross in person soon.
Thanks for all you do!

By: Kelli Traber

Kelli Traber — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:33:13 +0000

Tears came to my eyes when she did this last week in Dublin. Holding the hand of my colleagues (two women I respect deeply), watching the faces of other teachers, I realized the power we have as educators–together.

By: bonnie K

bonnie K — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:31:18 +0000

So you kicked this one off and Sharon D. ended. Now I call that divine and BTW, thanks for
WONDER! I just wrote a slice for tomorrow about it
BOnie

By: Kathleen Gillis

Kathleen Gillis — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:27:14 +0000

I had a visceral, New England yankee reaction (as in, I instantly crossed my legs) to the hand holding! I like the distance of a good punchline between people myself. (They say awareness is the first step to dealing with issues…)I did love Sharon Draper’s novel Out of My Mind, so I’m sure I would have survived the sweaty palms. Thank you for reminding us to be vulnerable and open. And for all your tech, music, and writing wisdom!

By: Katie

Katie — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:25:49 +0000

What a unique and interesting way to end. Perhaps we need more of this. It seems like the outside world wants to knock us down and we need to lift each other up!

By: LInda Baie

LInda Baie — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:24:13 +0000

It sounds like you had a wonderful time both with your presentation and all the rest, including that final speech by Sharon Draper. It sounds so inspiring to think that she would take the time to make that kind of difference. I am in awe of the ways people try to give support. Thank you for sharing some of that with us Kevin. Lovely words!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 20:47:52 +0000

I feel I can hear the digital story being told to the beautiful music of Louie Armstrong. I imagine it was “What a Wonderful World.” It is wonderful when we as educators can suppport each other, celebrate our students together and be a learning community, rather than just closing our doors. How you take time to listen to teachers is very powerful and you are right, you just don’t know what conversation may move someone forward!