Awareness

Awareness of audience. Are my students reading this? I got a bunch of blog addresses today (nice work, my people) and since I gave out my blog address, I wonder who will be reading it, as each group of students are different.
I have to say, I like this very challenging, very on point, astute bunch of students. It's going to be a great semester. I hate the word challenging, it's a euphemism for so much (and I hate euphemisms!) so I will clarify.
By challenging, I mean I have a group of students who are going to make me better.
And that is one of the very best things about teaching. You get students who make you better. They seem to make you better where you need to be at the time. I remember a student named David. I did not like David. I knew I had to work harder with him, to pay more attention, to listen more conscientiously, to be willing to stretch myself in ways I hadn't before, in ways I very much did not want to stretch, just to keep my commitment to this child I did not like. I had a commitment to be the best teacher I could for him, to do what was right. The story ends happily, because I grew to love him and I am grateful to him still.
I wonder if teachers should take an oath like doctors do. It's that serious.
Well, my students, you make me better. Thanks. I appreciate the obligation I have to you to be transparent in my journey to become a better writer.
I think this semester I will look into memoir. Maybe I have some stories to tell. Towards that end, I have checked out some books about writing memoirs written by writers. Hold on to your seats.
(You might want to read some books about writing written by writers that are germane to your personal goals. I would love to guide you in your choices!)
I am so excited to share this semester's story.