HISTORY DVD GIVEAWAY + TEACHER CRITIQUE = SATURDAY BLOG POST

2 THINGS.

1. Time to announce the winner of the DVD giveaway!

Ruthie Voth of Clayhole, KY is the lucky ducky today. Congratulations, Ruthie! I hope your family enjoys and also that you can share it in your schools!

One copy of Papa said, "We should never forget." is coming your way. I'm thowing some popcorn in with that. But you'll have to buy the Ale 8.

Thanks to Dr. Eric Groce of Appalachian State University for providing the DVD and doing the meticulous research that led to its production!

CONSOLATION TO THOSE WHO DIDN'T WIN. I HAVE 2 MORE COPIES FOR GIVEAWAY. (NEAR FUTURE)

2. Remember yesterday's post in which I suggested that Mrs. Cunningham, my 7th grade teacher, might be scary?

I hope I didn't miscommunicate. The whole point of my entry was, that being critiqued is always a little scary but this is a lady I love and trust. My description of her as a teacher was an attempt to say what I think middle graders feel about their teachers. They have so much power and that alone makes students quake a little.

But Mrs. Cunningham was a teacher who used her power for good - speaking hope and promise into students' lives. I remember her classroom as a place of art projects, music, preparation for fun field trips, and always learning in unexpected ways.

I remember a Christmas caroling trip on the activity bus with my classmates after hours - topped off with hot chocolate and cookies at Mrs. Cunningham's house.

Yesterday, I sat in her livingroom and she oh-so-gently led me in an exploration of my work-in-progress. She had three pages of suggestions and questions but she didn't reveal them until I was ready to leave. By then, we'd discussed nearly everything on the list and I don't think she even referred to those pages while we talked. We simply conversed. She could have thrust her wisdom and insight on me but she allowed me to have lots of aha moments for myself. And we had a few revelations together as we realized missing elements to the story and ways my character could communicate more effectively.

The only scary part of the day was realizing I'm not as ready to submit as I thought I was.

Oh, well, what's new?

I can do this and I will. Thank you, Mrs. C.! And thanks to Mr. C. too! (for green tea and muffins, and recollections of the draft)