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Dear NC Department of Instruction,

Friday, June 09, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)

It's me, again. Were you hoping I would go away? Well, I am a special needs mama after all and summer break starts today, so I've got nothing but time. What are your plans this summer? Will you examine your role in the future of NC's children? Maybe not. After all, it's not easy to admit you support the mistreatment of children. Perhaps mistreatment is too strong of a flavor for your errant policies, but I don't think so. You see, I've talked to families and teachers and heard thei ..

Dear Middle School,

Wednesday, June 07, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (2)

You're a Title One school in Eastern NC and your students are some of the neediest in our state. My four children go to Title 1 schools too, though we haven't crossed the divide into middle school yet. Your school is located in the town where I grew up and, well, it hit too close to home. Today, you piled one hundred children into two buses and headed to King's Dominion for the day, all expenses paid. The requirement for admission? Kids scored between a 3 and 5 on the EOGs (end of ..

Our Schools Need You

Tuesday, June 06, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)

You don't have that much time to give? That's okay, you go and give just one hug and I'll dare you to try to stay away. You're not that into children? That's okay, you can make copies or help serve lunch to our teachers who receive little recognition. You're not an educator? That's okay, you can make little people happy with a warm smile. You're not a good reader? That's okay, you can blow bubbles and play basketball. You're not very social? That's okay, you can sign ..

Conclusion of Education Series

Monday, June 05, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)

Thank you for following along my education series, twelve stories surrounding our schools today. Education quite has my heart and with four children in public school, the youngest with special needs, I am a long term stakeholder. Visiting public and private schools, speaking to parents, teachers and administrators, and reflecting on my own education and experience as a public school family have all challenged me to think far beyond my Phd in Education. 1. Teachers care about childr ..

Put Your Phone Away

Monday, June 05, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (1)

Put your phone away, I tell myself, too many times a day. Put your phone away, I tell myself, you're missing the moment. Put your phone away, I tell myself, talk to the mom beside you on the bleachers. Put your phone away, I tell myself, remembering the laughter is more important than capturing the moment in a snapshot. Put your phone away, I tell myself, Facebook and Instagram will wait for you. Put your phone away, I tell myself, they're watching and learning from ..

Keeping Score

Sunday, June 04, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)

Not me. Not his dad. Not his teacher. Only him. He keeps his own score and no matter our words or reassurance, he won't let the number go. Don't baby him, some say. You can't keep him in a bubble forever, others scoff. You'll have to let him fail sometime, you tell me. Well, I don't agree, not when the subject still calls me mommy, the eleven year old boy who often leans in for a hug and asks to sleep in our bed when daddy is gone. That boy will be thrown to the wolves over my dead body ..

Stop the EOG Madness

Friday, June 02, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (9)

Today I got a phone call from my third-grade son who was in the kind nurse's office and crying. He proceeded to tell me about his jaw and how it was really hurting. I asked if he wanted to come home and he replied that he didn't think he could because of EOGs. Of course you can, I said, it's just a test. If I don't pass, I won't go to fourth grade. I told him that wasn't true. I got a letter telling me that you're going to fourth grade, I said. I lied. How did it come to this? ..

Be the One

Sunday, May 14, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (1)

Be the one that goes under because she knows wet hair is a small price to pay for rapturous giggles. Be the one that looks for snakes under rocks and flings her bathing suit clad self on the slip and slide as she hopes for survival because she is making memories. Be the one that knows the most precious gifts are made from scraps of paper, dabs of glue, sprinkled glitter and a kind heart because those are the ones you will tuck away so as to remember. Be the one that eats fr ..

On Being Busy

Thursday, May 11, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)

Busy. How often do we hear ourselves say that word and yet, it annoys us too? We are all quite busy and most of us know that we are busy and yet, we feel a need to echo the thought that feels such a weight on our shoulders. Busy, being busy, staying busy, it's a busy time, a busy year, a busy Spring, we're so busy...I'm sick of it. I'm sick of busy, talking about it, hearing about it and mostly, living it. It's not what I had envisioned as a mother. I knew little people would take lots ..

Who Are You?

Thursday, May 04, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)

Each day you're unfolding before my eyes and though I earnestly try to take note, I can't keep up with your burgeoning soul. Each day you surprise me in some fashion, a kind word to your nearest brother or an offer to help the mother whose hands are full of siblings. Each day your stories give me glimpses into a world of which I am becoming an outlier. Each day you say good morning even though your mouth has yet to smile. Each day your hair deepens in color, once gold ..

Tales Of An Educated Debutante

on life, loss and the joy that rules the day.

The future is far away and scary, but today is lovely.

Dear NC Department of Instruction,

Dear Middle School,

Our Schools Need You

Conclusion of Education Series

Put Your Phone Away

Keeping Score

Stop the EOG Madness

Be the One

On Being Busy

Who Are You?

Connect With Me

Never Miss A Tale

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