Why I disappeared.

I wanted to take a few moments to explain why I've more or less disappeared online the past month or so.

Part of it has been working on the grammar and creative writing text books I talked about last month. The rest, I haven't been able to talk about before now. You see, beyond working on textbooks, I've been hired on by Foster Academy to teach English and Science for the high school students. Having learned from past experience, as soon as the text books arrived, I started working on preparing lessons, assignments, and the like between teacher work days spent helping set up the building.

You see, Foster is a brand new school set to open its doors next week. All the rooms have been set up from scratch over the past couple months, so it's been a busy summer for all involved.

​The textbook idea originated from my frustration trying to find texts on a high school level, creative writing in particular, since most on the subject are produced for colleges. There were plenty of good grammar texts, but most are so technical and dry, they're boring if not downright confusing. I'm a firm believer in teaching so a subject is both clear and not only interesting but fun is key to student retention. So I set out to create a textbook to do just that.

Unfortunately, I far underestimated how long it would take to write such texts. Writing exercises and designing graphic organizers to reinforce the lessons alone is quite the job. So I doubt I will have the workbooks completed before sometime next summer.

One benefit to writing your own textbook for a class is you can build it as you go. This is what I plan to do with the rest of the creative writing textbook this year, which is one reason working a few weeks ahead on lesson plans is crucial. The lead teacher picked a grammar book to use for this inaugural class that does a good job laying the foundations of grammatical understanding, so I'll use it this year while working on the grammar book I've started throughout the year. Whether or not it is used at Foster in years to come will ultimately be up to the school's board.

In any case, if the textbooks I'm writing are used by the school, I will provide them at cost. I won't make a penny off any copies used by Foster Academy.

All this is to say, I apologize for the lack of posting this summer. I hope you will understand and have patience with me a bit longer. Things should return to usual within the next few weeks as the rest of the staff and I settle into the rhythm of classes.