Pray for me - going back into classrooms
Don’t know whether I should be excited or fearful by news I recently received.
This week, I was approved to be a substitute teacher for five school districts in Northern Huron County.
The idea of going back into the classroom and working with young people is something I’m really looking forward to, but it’s also a little daunting. I hope I’m up to the challenge.
My first educational experience with teens goes back to the early 1980s when I worked at The Flint Journal and helped organize a Junior Achievement Explorer’s post for youngsters who were curious about journalism and the newspaper business. It was a great experience.
Later, as managing editor of The Bay City Times I visited all the school districts in Bay County to talk with young people about my profession and career. It was a wonderful way to connect. Several pursued communications careers and a few came to work for me as editorial clerks or interns.
I also became a regular visitor to college campuses all across Michigan, looking for young reporting prospects.
As a mid-sized daily newspaper that offered regular pay well above minimum wage, The Times was a desired destination for many young journalists.
I took great pride in working with young reporters. Many of our top prospects went on to become noted journalists and writers on the national stage.
When I edited True North Magazine in 2005, I became familiar with Kirtland Community College, located out in the middle of the woods near Roscommon. The college had developed a distinguished reputation across the state for turning out top-notch sheriff’s deputies and firefighters, as well as nurses and other professionals.
Later, the college hired me to teach journalism classes and oversee publication of the student newspaper. It was great fun. I loved the energy and optimism I found in most students.
More recently, our writer's organization, the Huron Area Writers Group, has sponsored an annual Celebration of Young Writers writing competition in Huron County. Each of our members has been impressed with the skill and talent of local students.
Now, I hope to rediscover that youthful vitality in high school classrooms. My goal is to substitute teach in English, literature, history, and social studies classes. I may even try some elementary school classes if I get up enough nerve to take on the little ones.
I will also keep a daily journal of my experiences. Who knows? That may even spark an idea or two for new novels.
I’m looking forward to this experience, and I’m praying for unlimited patience. Got a hunch I’m going to need it.
A Grand Murder
This week, I was approved to be a substitute teacher for five school districts in Northern Huron County.
The idea of going back into the classroom and working with young people is something I’m really looking forward to, but it’s also a little daunting. I hope I’m up to the challenge.
My first educational experience with teens goes back to the early 1980s when I worked at The Flint Journal and helped organize a Junior Achievement Explorer’s post for youngsters who were curious about journalism and the newspaper business. It was a great experience.
Later, as managing editor of The Bay City Times I visited all the school districts in Bay County to talk with young people about my profession and career. It was a wonderful way to connect. Several pursued communications careers and a few came to work for me as editorial clerks or interns.
I also became a regular visitor to college campuses all across Michigan, looking for young reporting prospects.
As a mid-sized daily newspaper that offered regular pay well above minimum wage, The Times was a desired destination for many young journalists.
I took great pride in working with young reporters. Many of our top prospects went on to become noted journalists and writers on the national stage.
When I edited True North Magazine in 2005, I became familiar with Kirtland Community College, located out in the middle of the woods near Roscommon. The college had developed a distinguished reputation across the state for turning out top-notch sheriff’s deputies and firefighters, as well as nurses and other professionals.
Later, the college hired me to teach journalism classes and oversee publication of the student newspaper. It was great fun. I loved the energy and optimism I found in most students.
More recently, our writer's organization, the Huron Area Writers Group, has sponsored an annual Celebration of Young Writers writing competition in Huron County. Each of our members has been impressed with the skill and talent of local students.
Now, I hope to rediscover that youthful vitality in high school classrooms. My goal is to substitute teach in English, literature, history, and social studies classes. I may even try some elementary school classes if I get up enough nerve to take on the little ones.
I will also keep a daily journal of my experiences. Who knows? That may even spark an idea or two for new novels.
I’m looking forward to this experience, and I’m praying for unlimited patience. Got a hunch I’m going to need it.
A Grand Murder
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