Sally Ember's Blog, page 39
November 12, 2016
The Best Leonard Cohen Music Cues in Cinema — Flavorwire
The world continues to mourn the passing of Leonard Cohen, who died at 82 earlier this week, but the singer’s iconic rasp and brilliant writing lives on in cinema. Cohen’s poetic oeuvre has been an emotional highlight on the big screen. Here are some of the best Cohen-set music cues in film.
via The Best Leonard Cohen Music Cues in Cinema — Flavorwire
Filed under: Writing
The long summer evenings — The Science Geek
This post talks about two interesting effects to do with the way it get dark after the Sun has set. The first one, which anyone who has travelled to places lying at different latitudes will have seen, is that the closer you are to the equator the quicker it gets dark after the Sun has […]
via The long summer evenings — The Science Geek
Filed under: Writing
November 9, 2016
Nov. 17, 6 – 8 PM: Local Author Open House for Over 100 Authors! near St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Local Author Open House for Over 100 Authors!
Thursday, November 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Spencer Road Branch, 427 Spencer Road, St. Peters, MO 63376
(near St. Louis, Missouri, USA)
Many prizes, discounts, free and low-priced books and coupons for ebooks, just in time for your holiday shopping!
We eat local, we shop local, so let’s read local! Don’t miss the St. Charles City-County Library District’s Local Author Open House. At this one-of-a-kind event, more than 100 local authors will be gathered in one place to sell and autograph their books, and to talk to visitors about how they got their start.
The 2016 Local Author Open House, now in its 8th year, is being held on Thursday, November 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Spencer Road Branch, 427 Spencer Road, St. Peters, MO 63376.
“This gathering of so many local authors in one place, is an event that you will not find anywhere else in the area,” said St. Charles City-County Library District Adult Services Manager Sara Nielsen. “We are excited to be able to help people discover the many authors that live right here in our own community.”
The St. Charles City-County Library District offers a special collection that features the work of local authors. This collection is housed at the Middendorf-Kredell Branch, or you can browse and reserve a title online.
To access the collection online, go to http://www.youranswerplace.org/specialservices and select “Local Author Collection.”
Refreshments will be provided, and attendance prizes will be given out.
Register online at youranswerplace.org or call the Spencer Road Branch at 636-441-0522.
Participating authors include:
of course, Sally Ember, Ed.D. – This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, Volume III, and Volumes I and II of The Spanners Series, with special discounts to attendees for purchases at or via the Fair: visit my table! Or, visit http://www.sallyember.com/Spanners for book trailers, discount coupons, blurbs, covers and more!
and
Debbie Manber Kupfer – P.A.W.S. former guest on my video talk show, Episode 27! Watch conversations with my previous CHANGES conversations between authors’ guests any time: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPbfKicwk4dFdeVSAY1tfhtjaEY_clmfq Learn more about and get yourself or recommend someone to be scheduled as a guest: https://sallyember.com/changes-videocasts-by-sally-ember-ed-d/
and
Fedora Amis – Mayhem at Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
Peggy Archer – Name That Dog! Puppy Poems from A to Z
Linda Austin – Battlefield Doc: Memoirs of a Korean War Combat Medic
Bradley Bates – Trinity
Jessica Marie Baumgartner – Embracing Entropy
Stephanie Bearce – Stan Musial
Jenny Beilsmith – The Change: Insights into Self-Empowerment
Chris Bostic – Savage Hills
John Bryant – Something of an Ordinary Life
Marvin Byrd – Make it Plain – Keys to being a successful high school student
Lynn Cahoon – A Story to Kill
Ann Chandonnet – Barn Raisings and Cemetery Cleanings: Frolics, Bees & Other Old Time Occasions for Good Food
Steven Clark – The Saint Louisans
Brad R. Cook – Iron Zulu, book II of The Iron Chronicles
Victoria Cosner – Missouri’s Mad Doctor McDowell: Confederates, Cadavers and Macabre Medicine
Liz Costanzo-Morrison – Flashback
James Creighton – Shark Bait: The “Misadventures” of an Oceanic Ferry Pilot
Suzanne DeWitt Hall – Rumplepimple
Eileen P. Duggan – The Not-Ready-for-Juilliard Players
Donna Duly Volkenannt – Chicken Soup for the Soul, Angels and Miracles
Jeanne Felfe – The Art of Healing – A Novel
T.W. Fendley – The Labyrinth of Time
Kristen Flood – Seeking Incandescence
William Flowers – William Flowers: Reflections Upon My First 3 Decades
Bridget Fogarty – Where My Heart Has Always Been
Cherita Ford – Leo, A Different World
Shyona Gaines – Broken
Marcia Gaye – Times They Were a’Changing
Lindsey Gendke – Ending the Pain: A True Story of Overcoming Depression
Linda Gilman – The Suffragette Takes a Husband
Judith Golightly – Billy’s Story – Every Parent’s Nightmare – The Loss of a Child
Ellen Harlie – Through Hell and out the other side
C.S. Hart – WindStone: The Secrets Within
Ann Hazelwood – Josephine’s Guest House Quilt
Judith Hennessey – First Rodeo
Mark Henrikson – Origins: Discovery
Michael Henry, Ph.D. – Ghosts of St. Charles
Bonney Hogue Patterson – The Devil Came to Town and the Angels Followed
Emily Humpherys – The Dark Ferret Society
D.L. Jenkinson – Faraway
Lisa Kelly – Echoes From the End Zone: The Men We Became
Valerie Battle Kienzle – What ‘s With St. Louis?
Robert Lampros – Intended Consequences
Louis Launer – Townies’ Turn: Molly’s Challenge
Lyssa Layne – My Calling
Dee Livers – Eva and Boo at the St. Louis Zoo
Terri Luckey – Kayndo Ring of Defense
Marita Malone – My Mother My Daughter: A Memoir
Ross Malone – Missouri’s Forgotten Heroes
Amalyn Martin – Max and Mila at the Beach
Jim Merkel – The Colorful Characters of St. Louis
Bryce Meyer – Of Oceans and Rivers, Fishes and Whales II
C. David Milles – Legacy
Sheree and Russell Nielsen – Folly Beach Dances
Jay Noel – Iron Warrior
Linda O’Connell – Chicken Soup, Living with Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
Chad Odom – The Last Archide: Warlord of Navarus Author’s Edition
Ellen Parker – Stare Down
Brian Peterson – Dragon’s Flight: Book III – Still Waters
Mark Pitts – The Good Shepherd and the Baaaad Sheep
Piper Punches – 60 Days
Robert Reason – SUCCESSFUL Sales People Listen To REASON
Rory Riddler – The Bitter Divide
Sioux Roslawski – Chicken Soup for the Soul: Be the Best You Can Be
Rebekah Ross – Nancy’s Numbers
Saturday Writers – Elements in Writing: Anthology #9
Tandy and Makenzie Schaller – Little Red Conquers Her Fear of Flying
Claudia Shelton – Slater’s Leverage
Angela Skurtu – Pre-Marital Counseling: A Guide for Clinicians
Christy Smith – Forever and Always
William Spradley – Cold Trail
Alaina Stanford – The Price of Magic, Hypnotic Journey Book 6
Jennifer Stolzer – Dog Park
Di Storm – YES SIR!
Doyle Suit – Baker Mountain
Izora Summers – Breaking the Silence from Shame: My Journey
Cleve Sylcox – Recluse – David Winter Mysteries
Steven Thomas – Aloha
Lugosi! Kimbra Townsend – My Neighbor’s a Real Turkey, Neighbor Series
Nancy Jo Van Hook – My Intimate Journey to Self
Pat Wahler – Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Gratitude
Ken Wheeler – Dead Spaces
Fred Wolf – Alexander the Good Dragon
Filed under: All Volumes, Indie or Self-Publishing, Marketing, The Spanners, This Changes Everything, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever, This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, Timult Books, Volume I of The Spanners, Volume II of The Spanners, Volume III Tagged: authors, book fair, books, discounts, ebooks, local authors, Sally Ember Ed.D Author, St. Louis, The Spanners Series
November 8, 2016
#ElevatetheVote in/for the USA NOW, 11/8/16: #Meditate at 6 PM EST
#ElevatetheVote in/for the USA NOW, 11/8/16: #Meditate at 6 PM EST
“Hello” from the global Elevate the Vote team, “in devoted collaborative service from California, Texas, Tokyo, Australia, and Arizona! We are excited to share that over 21,000 people around the world have signed up have signed up to meditate with us on November 8th!”
JOIN US ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE CONSCIOUS REVOLUTION!
“Please take a minute to add yourself to the map by clicking here or here: https://elevatethevote.com/home.
If you have any tech difficulties email support@elevatethevote.com”
from their website or https://elevatethevote.com:
Our mission is to inspire meditation flash mobs at polling stations across the U.S. on November 8th with others joining globally through a livestream broadcast.
Our intention is to elevate the consciousness of every U.S.A. voter on election day,
impacting how we feel about ourselves, politics, this election, and each other.
We will send you access to the livestream audio meditation on November 6th – On the broadcast website you will also be able to check-in and submit your photos!
If you aren’t joining a polling station flashmob in the United States, please join us from wherever you are – and if you haven’t joined the Facebook event, click here or here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1833891426856145/ to do so!
The livestream meditation will be a guided inspirational 30 minute experience followed by 30 minutes of silence.
Please take a few minutes to share this invitation through email,
a phone call, or facebook event – each person who joins creates a
powerful ripple effect into our world through their presence and actions.
Together we are demonstrating there is a different way of relating to politics than we primarily see on the media – that we can act on our passion for change with respect for different perspectives and with care for each other.
It is an honor to serve together towards a better world for future generations.
Emotions are running high for millions of us. Together we can bring inner-peace to the front lines of the election process, giving us all an opportunity to experience the election in a new way.
Many of us know that meditation has an impact both in our individual lives and the world around us – our goal is to inspire a tangible shift in perspective and unification of our global community.
From a place of Depth, Compassion, Unity, and Understanding.
“E Pluribus Unum” = “Out of Many We Are One”
– Inscribed on the Great Seal of the United States – 1776
The US is a diverse nation with extreme differences. Our democracy is not perfect. And neither are we.
This mass meditation is an opportunity for us to come together and heal the divisiveness, showing the world and our children what is possible with inner peace, respect, and unity.
Our collective action makes a statement. It can change everything.
People will notice. Minds will change. Hearts will open. The world will be different.
We know it is only a matter of time before our political systems transform. Humanity is heading towards an enlightened society and every person, being, and system is transforming from the inside out.
May this mass meditation be a step forward for all of us.
For all of humanity.
Thousands of local, state, and federal officials will be elected on November 8th.
May our collective vote serve our nation and serve our planet.
We pray for the highest outcome possible.
We Vote with our Presence.
The global synchronized meditation will broadcast live at
3:00 pm PST /6:00 pm EST to smartphones across the nation and around the world.
Thank you for your care,
Elevate The Vote Team
Filed under: Meditation, Support for Good Causes Tagged: elevatethevote, meditation, USA election, vote
November 6, 2016
#ElevatetheVote in/for the USA on, 11/8/16: #Meditate at 6 PM EST
#ElevatetheVote in/for the USA on, 11/8/16: #Meditate at 6 PM EST
“Hello” from the global Elevate the Vote team, “in devoted collaborative service from California, Texas, Tokyo, Australia, and Arizona! We are excited to share that over 21,000 people around the world have signed up have signed up to meditate with us on November 8th!”
JOIN US ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE CONSCIOUS REVOLUTION!
“Please take a minute to add yourself to the map by clicking here or here: https://elevatethevote.com/home.
If you have any tech difficulties email support@elevatethevote.com”
from their website or https://elevatethevote.com:
Our mission is to inspire meditation flash mobs at polling stations across the U.S. on November 8th with others joining globally through a livestream broadcast.
Our intention is to elevate the consciousness of every U.S.A. voter on election day,
impacting how we feel about ourselves, politics, this election, and each other.
We will send you access to the livestream audio meditation on November 6th – On the broadcast website you will also be able to check-in and submit your photos!
If you aren’t joining a polling station flashmob in the United States, please join us from wherever you are – and if you haven’t joined the Facebook event, click here or here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1833891426856145/ to do so!
The livestream meditation will be a guided inspirational 30 minute experience followed by 30 minutes of silence.
Please take a few minutes to share this invitation through email,
a phone call, or facebook event – each person who joins creates a
powerful ripple effect into our world through their presence and actions.
Together we are demonstrating there is a different way of relating to politics than we primarily see on the media – that we can act on our passion for change with respect for different perspectives and with care for each other.
It is an honor to serve together towards a better world for future generations.
Emotions are running high for millions of us. Together we can bring inner-peace to the front lines of the election process, giving us all an opportunity to experience the election in a new way.
Many of us know that meditation has an impact both in our individual lives and the world around us – our goal is to inspire a tangible shift in perspective and unification of our global community.
From a place of Depth, Compassion, Unity, and Understanding.
“E Pluribus Unum” = “Out of Many We Are One”
– Inscribed on the Great Seal of the United States – 1776
The US is a diverse nation with extreme differences. Our democracy is not perfect. And neither are we.
This mass meditation is an opportunity for us to come together and heal the divisiveness, showing the world and our children what is possible with inner peace, respect, and unity.
Our collective action makes a statement. It can change everything.
People will notice. Minds will change. Hearts will open. The world will be different.
We know it is only a matter of time before our political systems transform. Humanity is heading towards an enlightened society and every person, being, and system is transforming from the inside out.
May this mass meditation be a step forward for all of us.
For all of humanity.
Thousands of local, state, and federal officials will be elected on November 8th.
May our collective vote serve our nation and serve our planet.
We pray for the highest outcome possible.
We Vote with our Presence.
The global synchronized meditation will broadcast live at
3:00 pm PST /6:00 pm EST to smartphones across the nation and around the world.
Thank you for your care,
Elevate The Vote Team
Filed under: Meditation, Support for Good Causes Tagged: elevatethevote, meditation, USA election, vote
Standing Rock Syllabus — Discover
Compiled by a group of Indigenous scholars and activists and settler/POC supporters, the #StandingRockSyllabus gathers reading material on #NoDAPL, the Dakota Access Pipeline, and Indigenous history in the United States in general.
via Standing Rock Syllabus — Discover
Filed under: Writing
#ElevatetheVote in/for the USA today, 11/8/16: #Meditate at 6 PM EST
#ElevatetheVote in/for the USA today, 11/8/16: #Meditate at 6 PM EST
“Hello” from the global Elevate the Vote team, “in devoted collaborative service from California, Texas, Tokyo, Australia, and Arizona! We are excited to share that over 15,000 people around the world have signed up to meditate with us on November 8th!”
JOIN US ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE CONSCIOUS REVOLUTION!
“Please take a minute to add yourself to the map by clicking here or here: https://elevatethevote.com/home.
If you have any tech difficulties email support@elevatethevote.com”
from their website or https://elevatethevote.com:
Our mission is to inspire meditation flash mobs at polling stations across the U.S. on November 8th with others joining globally through a livestream broadcast.
Our intention is to elevate the consciousness of every U.S.A. voter on election day,
impacting how we feel about ourselves, politics, this election, and each other.
We will send you access to the livestream audio meditation on November 6th – On the broadcast website you will also be able to check-in and submit your photos!
If you aren’t joining a polling station flashmob in the United States, please join us from wherever you are – and if you haven’t joined the Facebook event, click here or here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1833891426856145/ to do so!
The livestream meditation will be a guided inspirational 30 minute experience followed by 30 minutes of silence.
Please take a few minutes to share this invitation through email,
a phone call, or facebook event – each person who joins creates a
powerful ripple effect into our world through their presence and actions.
Together we are demonstrating there is a different way of relating to politics than we primarily see on the media – that we can act on our passion for change with respect for different perspectives and with care for each other.
It is an honor to serve together towards a better world for future generations.
Emotions are running high for millions of us. Together we can bring inner-peace to the front lines of the election process, giving us all an opportunity to experience the election in a new way.
Many of us know that meditation has an impact both in our individual lives and the world around us – our goal is to inspire a tangible shift in perspective and unification of our global community.
From a place of Depth, Compassion, Unity, and Understanding.
“E Pluribus Unum” = “Out of Many We Are One”
– Inscribed on the Great Seal of the United States – 1776
The US is a diverse nation with extreme differences. Our democracy is not perfect. And neither are we.
This mass meditation is an opportunity for us to come together and heal the divisiveness, showing the world and our children what is possible with inner peace, respect, and unity.
Our collective action makes a statement. It can change everything.
People will notice. Minds will change. Hearts will open. The world will be different.
We know it is only a matter of time before our political systems transform. Humanity is heading towards an enlightened society and every person, being, and system is transforming from the inside out.
May this mass meditation be a step forward for all of us.
For all of humanity.
Thousands of local, state, and federal officials will be elected on November 8th.
May our collective vote serve our nation and serve our planet.
We pray for the highest outcome possible.
We Vote with our Presence.
The global synchronized meditation will broadcast live at
3:00 pm PST /6:00 pm EST to smartphones across the nation and around the world.
Thank you for your care,
Elevate The Vote Team
Filed under: Meditation, Support for Good Causes Tagged: elevatethevote, meditation, USA election, vote
October 29, 2016
‘Will & Grace’ May Be Coming Back for a Much Longer Reunion — Flavorwire
Today’s dose (okay, actually, second dose) of “does this thing that had its moment and it was a very specific moment and now it’s not that moment and if we return to that moment it’ll potentially be for empty nostalgia’s sake” comes in the form of a (very potential) revival of the NBC comedy Will and Grace. According to…
via ‘Will & Grace’ May Be Coming Back for a Much Longer Reunion — Flavorwire
Filed under: Writing
SciFi in the Making: Now Available! — Stuart Aken
It’s here! It’s there! And you can have it everywhere! Okay, a little ott, but, hey! I’m excited. My latest science fiction novel, Blood Red Dust, is now available and you can get a copy by clicking on this link. At present, it’s available in paperback; the ebook will follow shortly: I’ll let you know […]
via SciFi in the Making: Now Available! — Stuart Aken
Filed under: Writing
Commemorating an Extraordinary Teacher and Person: Bill Heyde, who passed on 10/26/16
Celebrating an Extraordinary Teacher and Person:
Bill Heyde, R.I.P., 10/26/16, reported by the Ladue Education Foundation in St. Louis, MO, USA
Mr. Heyde, circa 1973, courtesy of the Ladue Horton Watkins High School yearbooks, as published for his obituary in the St. Louis Post Dispatch
Dear Friends of Mr. Heyde,
I am saddened to share with you the news that our wonderful Mr. Heyde passed away on Wednesday. His health had recently been improving, and he was scheduled to return to his assisted living facility, but his life came to a close on October 26, 2016. As you all know, he had a life-changing impact on many of his students’, colleagues’, and friends’ lives.
Visitation will be on Sunday, October 30, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Road in Kirkwood, MO.
The funeral service will be Monday, October 31 at 10:00 a.m. at Bopp Chapel.
Burial will be immediately following the service in Cape Girardeau.
Condolences may be sent to Bill’s sister: Adelaide Parsons and her husband Robert, 3120 Independence, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to two of Bill’s favorite organizations:
Missouri Scholars Academy Development Fund
c/o Honors College
210 Lowry Hall
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211
and
The Ladue Education Foundation
9703 Conway Road
St. Louis, MO 63124
Here is the link to the obituary in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/stltoday/obituary.aspx?n=william-albert-heyde-bill&pid=182178423&fhid=6378
For those of you who missed it the first time around, here is the link to the clever rap written and performed by 1972 alumnus Steve Levin to honor Mr. Heyde in 2015: https://youtu.be/tA5F3XdNcwI
As a grateful former student of Mr. Heyde’s, I’m so glad I was in St. Louis for the wonderful event honoring him as an amazing teacher and person in April, 2015!
Mr. Bill Heyde and students, Ladue High School, circa 1970?
We had a BLAST!
Bill Heyde and Bill Weiss
Doug Cassel and Tom Newmark (sorry it’s blurry)
Jim McKelvy and ??
Mark Zooie (sp?) in mock debate
Randy Rubin in mock debate
Scott Anderson and Glenn Caplin (former Debate captain)
Tripp Frolichstein in mock debate
At the actual event, many people contributed to a large scrapbook and to the event’s festivities, including an amazing speech by former Missouri state debate champ, Neal Osherow, and an incredible original poem/rap, written and performed by former debater, Steve Levin https://youtu.be/tA5F3XdNcwI, and a mock debate (pictures, above) with many former debaters. So much fun! So much respect, admiration, love, re-connecting.
Mr. Heyde gave a prepared speech (but mostly from his memory!!) of the history of the debate team at Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis and that was fascinating. There were many former debaters and Speech competitors there (as I was, having won 4th place at the Missouri state level with my acting partner, Karen Raskin, in Duet Acting!), and students of Mr. Heyde’s. Excellent turnout: many had to be turned away due to fire code restrictions!
Thanks, Ladue Education Foundation organizers, for imagining, creating and hosting this excellent festival!
Here is my letter, sent to Mr. Heyde in 2012 and again in 2015 for this event:
Hi, Mr. Heyde,
I just found out how to contact you and wanted to thank you. You may not remember me, since you have had thousands of students, so let me jog your memory: I was then Sally Fleischmann (Jonathan’s next-younger sister) at Ladue High School (we have 2 younger sibs you may also have taught, Wendy [now, Ellen] and Lauri). I took your Advanced Composition class in 1970-71. I was one of the only students to get a “B+” on a first draft, while most received “D”s and “F”s. So, I suppose I can’t give you credit for ALL of my writing skills and abilities, but please, read on.
Another memory jog: One of the essays written for your class (about game-playing imagery in a short story by William James) was published in that year’s LHS creative writing journal. I then went on to torment Ms. Cannon in the Advanced Placement English class my senior year by never getting less than a “B” on any written paper, while acting up in her class a lot (I did win the vote [along with our class President, Andy Eder] for “Class Clown” in our yearbook’s “Senior Superlatives,” after all…).
Although I had been published, starting as a 4th-grader, in school and camp newsletters, for short stories, articles, poetry and songs, and again as a freshman, in Missouri Youth Writes, for a poem, prior to having your class, I felt that this essay’s being published was my first “adult” placement. As an actual adult, I have had short stories, poetry, articles, nonfiction books, songs and plays published and produced by others, and served as an editor/rewriter/proofreader for many publications.
In 2013, I became a blogger (Sally Ember, Ed.D., http://www.sallyember.com), and a self-published science-fiction author with Volume I, This Changes Everything, of The Spanners Series</strong>; in 2014, I added Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever, and I hope to add Volume III, This Is/is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, in 2015 and seven more after that! In 2014, I began hosting my own talk show, conversations between authors, CHANGES, and I often think of you while talking to others about their writing. I also write reviews for Goodreads and Amazon, and while critiquing others’ books, your phrases about what constitutes “good” or “bad” writing often come to mind.
I credit you and want to thank you for modeling for me (and many others, I’m sure) how to teach and inspiring me to teach composition and writing to adolescents and young adults. I went on, after teaching elementary school and middle school language arts, to teach writing: for five summers at Upward Bound; for several years at three community colleges; for five years at two different universities; and, for six years in community education locales, including Corrections Education, in several states. While acquiring my Master’s and doctorate at UMASS/Amherst, I taught writing in Peter Elbow’s peer review process’ domain. I also have had occasional contract work as a researcher/ writer/ editor/ proofreader. I know that your recognition of my writing as “good” (a characterization you did not give out to many pieces) set me on this path.
I think of you often, as a great teacher and someone who inspired me to write more and to teach writing. Even 43 years later, I can picture you perfectly, gesticulating strongly, your necktie blowing about as you passionately enjoined us to become literary critics, not just essay-writers. “Literary criticism” was a foreign concept to me as a junior in high school, until your class. I had learned about symbolism, metaphor and allusion, even how to cite quotations. But, putting it all together analytically, originally, and interestingly? Never even crossed my mind, until you gave us your assignments.
You opened me to a whole new intellectual world. I remember with intense clarity the exact moment when I first “got” what you were trying to convey, and understood (in a very basic way, but still, understood) how to construct a critique. I was astonished. It was as if you had been decrypting a code, helping us to begin using a secret language within English. I really was thrilled to be part of this new “club.”
Yes, I am a geek. I usually read over 250 books a year. Yes; I do. I have, since elementary school, been an avid reader. I was also an athlete: a runner, a cheerleader in 9th grade, a gymnast and field hockey player; also, I am a musician and singer/actor; and, in high school, I was “popular,” including having been elected/selected to that pinnacle for girls in that era, a cheerleader. This is to say to your students that these “identities” are not mutually exclusive: being inducted into the National Honor Society and having lots of friends happily co-exist in many, and I heartily encourage your students to cultivate both their brains and their hearts.You will help them, I’m sure.
I mainly wanted you to know what a great influence and help you were in my professional life, and what warm memories I have of your class. Never think your import was forgotten or unsung, even if we don’t find you to tell you: THANK YOU!
Best to you and your students, past, current and future. Write on!
Take care,
Sally (Fleischmann) Ember, Ed.D.
Do you have a teacher, coach or other mentor you’d like to thank? Start by commenting here and keep on sharing! #thankateacher
Mr. Bill Heyde and student, Ladue High School, circa 1970?
Filed under: G+ HOAs, Gratitude, Life lessons, Personal stories, Support for Good Causes, The Spanners, This Changes Everything, Volume I of The Spanners, Volume II of The Spanners, Volume III, Writing Tagged: #thankateacher, Bill Heyde, composition class, debate, Gratitude, inspiration, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, mentor, publishing, Sally Ember, St. Louis, thank a teacher
