The Prodigal Blog

"Welcome back!" the blog said to the blogger.

"Yeah, sorry about that," the blogger said, much chagrined at his prolonged absence. "I guess I sort of ran out of words for you. See I'm writing this book. And books take a lot of words. And sometimes I get nervous that I'm going to run out of words, so I try to retain them and stuff."

"And 'stuff'? You're using words like 'stuff'? Publicly?" exclaimed the blog.

"Well yeah. That's what I mean. If I write my book all the time and try to keep you alive, isn't there the very real prospect that I run out of words and then the book gets lots of 'stuff' and 'things' and other such claptrap?" the blogger said, sweat forming on his brow.

"Okay. I get it. Nonetheless, wouldn't it be sort of nice for you to have me around? You know, sort of like a trusted friend? Someone you could hang out with in your pj's? You know. Bounce ideas around? Ask questions? Let your guard down?"

"Well, yes," sighed the blogger. "That's why I came back today. I was writing and I realized I needed a story, some help. My brain started to hurt. I started to eat too much chocolate in one sitting. So I came back."

"Well it's good to see you."

"You too."

"Now, you said you have some questions? You need a story?"

"Well yes. I do. You see, I'm writing this chapter right now all about why teachers choose to become teachers in the first place. The chapter is loosely titled "The Decision." Then I got to ruminating about all of the 'things' and
stuff' that might get in the way of a teacher hanging onto those reasons he or she became a teacher. Federal mandates. District goals. Building policies. Department disagreements. Personal decisions. That sort of thing."

"Wow. That sounds great! You must be writing a great book!"

"See blog? THAT'S why I came back! Thanks for saying so!"

"So what do you need from me?"

"Well today, here's your challenge. I want you to go out into the blogosphere and find a story that sheds some light on the following question: Describe a time when your department or teaching team made a change in practice or procedure that allowed you to grow closer to your core reasons you became a teacher."

"Phew! That's a nice light question for this first journey out!"

"I know. I suppose another challenge we could throw out would be like this: As a department, make a change in your policy and procedure that allows you to grow closer to the core reasons you became teachers. Then tell me about it."

"Okay. Let's throw this out there and see what happens. One never knows."

"Thanks for listening," coddled the blogger.

"You're welcome," said the blog.