Here...we...go!

Recently, I was honored to take part in the Hoosier Writing Project Summer Institute, which is part of the National Writing Project. In a gist, NWP is an organization of teacher-leaders who have a passion for writing and teaching writing, and are the front runners in researching, developing, and collaborating together to enhance student literacy. The Hoosier Writing Project is a local chapter of the Nation Writing Project, and the membership is currently around 250 people. I spent 13 days with some of the most passionate, effective writers I have ever met. We talked, laughed, learned, and just spent time writing. In the end, the entire experience was one of the best experiences of my life, and was by far the best professional development I have ever taken part in. Outside helping me gain some amazing strategies to use with my students this year, the Institute really encouraged me and lit a fire in me to write more. I did a variety of writings over the last two weeks, and I can't wait to continue. In an effort to continue writing, I am going to keep a daily blog of my year in teaching. I am not just going to try, and I am going to DO (as Yoda says, "Do or do not, there is no try"). I am not sure what direction this will take, but I know there will be at least 183 posts, and probably some on breaks as well. I may share some of my non-blog writings, but I will definitely be sharing my experiences this year as I teach. This is going to be real and raw, with my own mix of sarcasm mixed in because, well, I wouldn't know how to survive without it. Follow me on my journey if you will, and let me be your Virgil through a year in the life of a high school English teacher who also happens to coach soccer (a rarity and enigma, I know). Below is a 55-word short story (title included in the word count) I wrote during the Summer Institute. I would love for any readers, if I actually have any, to try this, and share their work!

Nerf War

The guns were cocked and loaded. The young boy and his father took their opposing positions.

They stealthily moved through the house looking for their prey.

Each spotted the other and rapidly aimed their guns. Triggers were pulled and bullets flew.

Both bullets found their targets, and the bodies fell to their demise.