Working at an International school has many pros and cons. Every summer the farewells can be draining. The feelings begin early as students and teachers share their plans to move on. Move to greener pastures, to experience something or somewhere different. Students’ families may move because they are at the end of their contracts or… Continue reading

Weeks before the end of school, I wrote lists: my to-dos, to read, to write, to call. I had a pile of novels ready to read and professional books to digest. Then I remembered my planned holiday. I have been looking forward to this break just like the previous year, I got to study, rest,… Continue reading

Blessed beyond measure In awe of my loved ones Really feeling loved Thanking friends and family Hailing them Day by day Another year passes Yelling above the skies                                                      “Thank… Continue reading

The day started, like any other Sunday. A light breakfast of bagel cream cheese and a few olives, washed down with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. The powdered chocolate from cocoa grown in the rain forests of Ghana. Pure, refined and slightly bitter. It was creamy and had a sweet aroma. I glanced at… Continue reading

I am always amazed at what can be produced with the Window Frame Poetry organizer  when used with a photograph. A colleague shared one with us. When I use it in class I usually ask my students to choral read their poems. All students read a line from the same box and continue with each… Continue reading

I clearly remember P’s fifth grade presentation with a new girl. I took photos. Friendships formed. My daughter and her friend B impressed me, their History presentation was seamless, they had obviously worked well together. This was over a year ago, now middle schoolers their world seemed to have changed. P was invited for B’s… Continue reading

Walking towards the petting zoo, there were smells of dung. We knew we were almost there and had a choice of jumping down the short wall or walking on the man-made pavements to the many thatched roofed huts we could see ahead of us. That is where the tropical animals resided. Somewhere in the rainforest… Continue reading

“The clouds are moving,” my student announced. “I am sure the birds can see the clouds are moving faster today,” another student shared. “I rarely look up,” I admitted. You often learn something when you look at the world from a child’s point of view. I wrote a poem about the experience. CLOUDS  They drift… Continue reading

I have been thinking about patience and how it can aid achievement. Working on a piece of craft, I have pondered how it’s creation requires persistence and perseverance. I introduced weaving to my fourth graders, this school year and only found two students interested. I thought more hands would help complete it swiftly, but the… Continue reading

Our (fourth graders’) field trip to an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) that provides parks for children and is an advocate for play, the arts and learning through play, today set me thinking deeply about giving back. We visited them on their extensive private park in the suburb of Accra, where nature is celebrated. Large trees, plants,… Continue reading