I’m back at school setting up my new classroom. The floors are shiny, but everything else is old and worn. There are cobwebs and leaves in the window ledges and the wood is splintered. My new teacher desk is not new. There are no smart boards, or rainbow carpets or even an alphabet on the wall. This is it. Bare bones.
No matter! I really mean that. I don’t mean get out your violins and start playing. Nope. I am here and soon my team of little elves will be working along side me to spruce things up and get some art on the walls and writing on the bulletin boards. As we all know, a classroom is made of a group of primates who will spend the year together. We are setting off on a long voyage with all hands on deck!
I have the most important thing at my disposal: books! Inside these closets is my vast collection of stories. In the early years of teaching, classrooms came with a library of books. No more. Someone along the way decided that wasn’t important. At least in my district. But I’ve amassed my own collection from little free libraries, other teachers discards, and lots and lots of donations from you over the years.
When a teacher moves into a new room it is not equipped with anything other than what you bring with you, desks, chairs, and maybe bookcases. We can order supplies, but these are rudimentary at best. If you live in an affluent area with nice schools this may come as a shock, but if you are a teacher in LA and you’ve been at a variety of different inner city schools you’ve seen the reality.
Teachers who work in schools like mine are doing things for themselves. So I thank you kindly for your donations over the many years. They’ve been massively appreciated. New teachers who arrive at our inner city schools are sometimes disheartened and shocked at what they’re getting into, but old pragmatic dogs like me, we know the ropes. We know the real magic is not in the fancy desks and new-fangled bouncy chairs or smartboards.
For a variety of reasons, this year I’m not using Donor’s Choose to fund necessities for my classroom, everything will be through my Amazon Classroom Wishlist. It’s simpler, more direct, and ends up costing less to the donors. If you wish to donate, I thank you for your generosity in advance.
I am headed to my porch. Portal to all things bright and wonderful. I am ever grateful for this shady perch. The blather inside my head loses its heft and gentle winds carry it up into the sky. Birds make music that replace the old stories.
The dear creatures I share my life with are a constant comfort. How I love them!
I’ve been able to relax a bit and come to better terms with their health issues.
They fill Moss Cottage with a sense of aliveness.
Otto likes to help me at the computer.
Kittens!
On My Bookshelf 
I can’t recommend this book enough. I’m already dreading its end, but am thankful Susan Moon has written more! She is longtime Zen Buddhist and Californian. Such wisdom in these pages for all women, but especially those who are past mid-life.
I’ve been on an Elizabeth Strout kick all summer. Each one of her books is a deep pleasure to read. What a rarity in a writer to find one book after another this good.
Tomorrow’s ZOOM is @ 11. Go to the OMG class blog for details. If you’re tuning in I’ll see you there.
If you wish to turn this one-way conversation into a two-way you can deposit your thoughts below. I always look forward to reading them. Take good care of your tender selves. See you soon!
Dear Mary Ann–What extraordinary eyes your kittens have! It’s interesting that they are siblings but have two different eye colors. I’m a sucker for blue myself.
I’m sorry to write that Covid has caught up with me and my husband. We thought (and probably) we were super lucky in that we had gotten this far in the pandemic without getting sick. Luckily we are vaccinated and boosted (boostered?) so it could be worse. Right now my worst symptom is bone-deep fatigue. This too shall pass.
Wishing you all the best–stay safe out there! XOXO
So sorry to hear you’ve caught COVID. We’ll all have our turn I suppose. Mine is coming. Pointing my heart bubble machine in the direction of your house.
Cats have the same mothers, but may have different fathers. Mom can get impregnated multiple times by different males. Thus the different appearances of the siblings.
The first classroom photo filled me ideas about classroom furnishing as well as recollections of my own elementary school of about sixty years ago. I love those big windows. New buildings don’t have them. I know lots of people love smart boards, I was never especially impressed. Kids have an abundance of tech, real people and real tools in the hands are a vanishing supply. You fill the kids and the kids fill the room. It’s an elegant recipe no matter the ingredients. Wishing you a glorious school year MaryAnn
Oh thanks, Susan. I wonder if you’ve been west to California for any more camping trips with your son?
Once again I have missed being able to contribute to your classroom via your Amazon shopping list as everything has been purchased. Will you do another one soon or need money for books? Please let us know. I am sure I am not the only one who missed out.
Thanks Kate! I think there are a few things left.
Hello, Mary Ann Moss! I love your blog. And the kitties – old and new. Wanted to share that I started teaching in 1978 in Stockton, California, in Lincoln Unified – the ‘wealthier’ school district. There was no classroom library, and no funding for one because Prop 13 nearly flattened us. My mother began teaching in the same district in 1960 – and she had no classroom library, either, but cobbled one together as you did/do. For me, it was easy with ‘Scholastic Book Points’ earned from the orders students placed to buy paperbacks. It was pre-everything – copier (ditto machine and carbon stuff), Amazon, computers, all of it. But we had fun, and the kids gained a full year of growth in reading and math (the old measure), which I was very relieved about as a first year teacher. I’m sorry that often the neediest kids/classrooms/schools are left on their own, and that our state is this way. As a Board member, I worked with our local state senator, Bill Dodd, on the funding issue. He said, OH! California has the money, but we choose to invest elsewhere, which infuriated him too. So, I’ve been lobbying ever since for our children and teachers. Just wanted to share, and tell you that I’m thinking of you and look forward to the bits you share each year of the children you serve and their amazing work!
Hi Mary Ann,
Ive been reading your blog for a few years now & wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your adventures. Thanks for sharing your reality with us – all the happy & maybe not of it. Love your kitties!!
Esther, a big HELLO to you! Otto & Iris send their love.
You and your ‘primates’ will have that classroom looking spiffy in no time! I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
I’m waiting to go back to school with Miss Moss, keen to see how the primates get on. Perhaps there will be new ones or maybe yours stay with you right through school?
Have you read any books by Patrick Gale? He lives in Cornwall and writes fiction about the places that are so familiar to me (every road, every beach) in this beautiful county. He is a compassionate writer who writes stories lovingly about people of every walk of life and persuasion. I’ve just finished reading Notes from an Exhibition about an American artist who settles here. I hope you give him a try.
Thanks for telling me about Patrick Gale! I will check him out.
I have a new group each year.
Happy Sunday MaryAnn,
I like this new donation system….I was finally able to make a small dent in your request.
Great to know that you have a wonderful bunch of artsy-fartsy friends who donate, too.
Happy Sunday to you, I cannot wait to see the transformation of your Fall, 2022 classroom.
and, I am going to order some of Susan Moon books to read. I miss long-distance travel due
to annoying health issues….but I am grateful for my photos floating around my computer desktop.
Holly in Richmond, Virginia
Your kitties are so beautiful! The blue and green eyes in that hug! I would love to see a painting of that kitty hug photo:)
No, what a lovely idea! I would love to see that also.
Hi!
I love your book recommendations. I just started reading The Maid. Also, could you please tell me that saying “these ones” isn’t proper English? Being a teacher I thought you would know. I’ve heard several artists on IG saying it and I cringe. Am I wrong? They’ll reach for something and say “I have these ones” or “These ones will work” ARGH!!!!!!
Thank you and Thank you for being a teacher. It’s a hard job.
Sincerely,
Jan
Jan,
Since you asked…it sounds better to say simply, “these” versus “these ones.” If they were my 5th graders I would tell them the addition of the word, “ones” sounds awkward and is unnecessary They could specifically state the noun to which they’re referring. For example, “I love these pens.”
I have to look up grammar usage frequently! The rules are complicated, even for native speakers of English.
If one were to grammar check my blog they’d find plenty of errors.
I LOVE Elizabeth Strout! Thanks to you. I found myself in a reader’s dry spell about a month ago. As usual, I turned to you for inspiration. I found “Oh, William!”, borrowed it from the library, loved it, ordered more. Finished Olive Kitteridge a week ago. I was not disappointed. But I failed to understand why she got the Pulitzer for this one in particular. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to more stories from this author. Thank you so much for finding the time to keep your blog up. It is the first thing I check in the morning – how your kitties are doing. And you, of course;-) Wishing you all the best in the upcoming school year!
I enjoyed shopping on your Wishlist Amazon page. I’m glad you give people a way to help. Wishing you the best as you prepare for a new school year.
Thanks so much Pam, it’s very appreciated!
lol at the way Iris is “sitting” and your comment below that pic about “relaxing”. And thanks for the book recommends. They always get a sample downloaded onto my Kimble and almost always get enjoyed on my way to dreamland every night.