As I gear up for student teaching, I’m trying to get my writing skills back. If I hope to teach English, I had better be a living example for what a reader and writer looks like. Work for college education classes is one thing, but being a person who takes part in the world of reading and writing is another.
My outlet of choice is Fine Lines, a literary journal that was founded by Omaha Central High English teacher David Martin. It’s been around since 1991, and David edits the publication with great care and thought. It’s online at finelines.org. I’ve been helping a little with reading submissions, and now I’ve submitted a couple of short essays.
Writing for publication is authentic learning, and it’s something I’m thinking about for my future students. Seeing your name in print got me hooked a long, long time ago. And while today’s print might be real or virtual, I think it’s still a kind of catnip for kids who enjoy playing around with words.
The third degree . . . this time education 