Forty Years.

Happy anniversary Mom and Dad! Forty years ago today they were married. It’s kinda a big deal, you know, to be married for forty years. It gives me pause and makes me think about what it takes to have that level of commitment.

Like usual, my thoughts swirl around to teaching writing. What does my parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary have to do with teaching writing? A lot, actually.

• Sometimes there are unexpected events that change the course of things, but the marriage still remains. Common Core Standards are changing the course of things, but writing workshop can still remain.
• Sometimes marriage is hard. It is during these times that we make a choice to fight through the tough time because the marriage is worth it. Sometimes writing workshop is hard. It is about making a choice to keep at it because we know the instruction is meaningful.
• Marriage is at its best when joy and delight fill the house. Writing workshop is at its best when joy and delight fill the classroom.
• Marriages are successful when core beliefs are established. Writing workshop is successful when core beliefs are established.
• Marriages work best when couples are willing to change and grow. Writing workshop works best when teachers are willing to change and grow.