Pure Manaʻo

This may be an odd post to go here since I have a blog for books, however, Minding the Middle is a blog for books that will appeal to the middle level reader so that I can keep track of possible book talk novels and graphic novels. This book is not a middle school book unless there is a middle schooler who is really into tidying up or becoming a clutter consultant. So why here?  When I am at my most creative, I am messy. My office space reflects the multiple strands I have going on in my brain, but as this book relates, my mess is a temporary mess and easily tidied up in 5 minutes.  So why here? When I talk about self care to my incoming student teachers, and the importance of self care in the last semester when even for the strongest teachers, life comes crashing down all at once, the lessons from this book are what I want them to learn. Perhaps in the semester before student teaching, we need to focus on tidying up and finding what sparks joy and rel...

I had an opportunity last semester to propose a workshop for the AMLE (Association for Middle Level Educators) Hawaiʻi Summit. I knew I wanted to create opportunities for them to lead and share even if they were still students. I have had these students for three years. I have nothing more to give them but my support. It is time to throw the babies out and just enjoy the show. In my usual nebulous way I let them know I was writing something for them to present. I then said I got accepted and put the memo out to see who wanted to come and present. Whoever said yes, not I guess, not maybe, came with me.  Here is the write up: Title:  Our Keiki Are ʻOno! Strand:   Hawaii Lighthouses Description: The University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu middle level and secondary teacher preparation program focuses on the idea that we want to produce teachers who believe that keiki are ʻono and our student teachersʻ kuleana, obligation, is to create the pilina, the relationships ...