Category Archives: teaching

An Open Message to Graduates from a Parent

As we approach the solemn occasion of your high school graduation, it seems an appropriate time for parental confession. Here it is. We parents are liars, and have been lying to you for your whole lives. Please forgive us, but … Continue reading

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After Eleven Years, Dad, What Can I Say?

Eleven years ago today, my father passed away. I’ve missed him every day since then. We didn’t always get along (hey, we’re Irish), but eventually that settled, especially after the kids were born. Once that happened, I called him just … Continue reading

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Tables Turned: someone else writes about me

So today, a very good article about me arrived. I believe in local journalism, and in utilizing it to build your base. Here’s hoping you find this article interesting. http://fb.me/2mLGXmJ5i Christopher Ryan is author of City of Woe, available on … Continue reading

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What Message the Boston Marathon Bombing Really Sends

I have been struggling with what to say to my junior and senior students about the Boston Marathon bombings. I hate that this is the “latest terror attack” – the phrase delivers the twin defeats of acknowledging we now have … Continue reading

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Education Reform Shouldn’t Get The Bum’s Rush

When is Spring Break not a vacation? When teachers spend it stressed about the future of their profession, their careers, tenure, pension, health benefits, ability to pay their mortgages, send their kids to college, feed them. Yeah, it is that … Continue reading

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Class Warfare Should be a War on Ignorance

I would like to comment a bit on a fascinating book I read entitled Class Warfare by Stephen Brill. This nonfiction work chronicles the last few decades in American education battles, focusing on efforts to radically change how American students … Continue reading

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The Rule of 36

There was a time in my life when my deeply held beliefs and my passions were misread as anger or being “cranky.” That time was yesterday. In my continuing efforts to communicate ever-more clearly with the rest of the world, … Continue reading

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Because They Were Kids

Everything changed on Friday. We didn’t want it to, didn’t plan for it, ask for it, or welcome it. And yes, this wasn’t the first tragic shooting of random Americans. We’ve already seen shootings at a high school, mall, a … Continue reading

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On Writing: Getting Back on The Horse

So I’ve been away. Well, not away, but not writing. And the weirdest thing happened; I got crushed with guilt. Crushed. I wound up with such a weight on my shoulders, and it got worse with each passing day. You … Continue reading

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On Writing: Embracing Your Genre

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy right across the Hudson River, I took a screenwriting course that offered up sage cliches, formatting rules, and pacing maxims that collective attempted to pass themselves off as innovative screenwriting vision. Despite … Continue reading

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