It's an end of an era, but the band's hits will live on . . . .
Author: Erica Blaschke
I am a middle school English and technology teacher from Chico, CA and have traveled the Skyway to teach in Paradise for the past 16 years. A fast moving wildfire changed the lives of our entire community on November 8th when the #campfire destroyed the town. We are now redefining what school and learning can be as we start over, unable to return.
To Whom It May Concern (Unfiltered version)
Letter of Recommendations: I've written a lot of these lately and usually choose my words and descriptions carefully. But if you want to know the real story, here's how I see it! For the brave teachers and administrators @ Paradise Intermediate School To Whom It May Concern, It is an honor to recommend my colleagues … Continue reading To Whom It May Concern (Unfiltered version)
Gratitude
I've spent the last six weeks in Mindfulness sessions. My mind has been pinging all over the place and I've been learning how to find some calmness. Every Wednesday, I've sat in a half circle just listening along with about 10 other Paradise educators. I'm grateful to Rosann, our leader who generously volunteered her time … Continue reading Gratitude
Exclamation Points! (at OSH!)
Years ago, I taught a creative writing class to juniors and seniors. One girl, Katie, loved to punctuate her stories with style-- primarily with exclamation points. Her stories were filled with them, so many on one page. This wasn't typical for a high school junior, so I finally asked her, "Why so many exclamation points … Continue reading Exclamation Points! (at OSH!)
January 39th
If each month is a chapter of our life, January felt like an entire book. It's been a month full of constant change. Admittedly, it's exhausting. Our staff and students yearn for normal, but we are also redefining and reinventing . . . well everything. We still don't have a way to project anything on … Continue reading January 39th
Attention Shoppers: English Class on Aisle #14
Bewildered, confused, overwhelmed, excited, relieved, optimistic, frustrated, bitter, envious, amused, creative, entertained, innovative, exhausted. . . . If you wonder what it's like teach at Orchard Supply Hardware, or OSH, I'd say it depends on the time of day you ask. Now, after two weeks at OSH, it's starting to feel normal. Almost. That's the … Continue reading Attention Shoppers: English Class on Aisle #14
Cheeseballs (and the search for titles)
Day 1 at our new location for Paradise Intermediate School is done. We have landed at a site formerly known as Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH). It's been two months to the day after the fire, and we are finally together with some of our students again. Seeing them smiling, happy to see their friends and … Continue reading Cheeseballs (and the search for titles)
Limbo and the dance of optimism
Deep down, I am an optimist. I had to remind myself of that fact, during our third week conducting school in the Chico Mall. We still did not have a site for the new year. I was feeling like the middle child, forgotten, a ghost. . . middle school teachers often feel like middle school … Continue reading Limbo and the dance of optimism
One Room Schoolhouse
We have been officially "back in school" for three weeks after the #campfire chaos. This is the recovery stage, we are told. But most people don't realize what "school" really looks like for our Paradise Intermediate and Paradise High School kids. There is no routine, no normal, nothing that really resembles what we used to … Continue reading One Room Schoolhouse
It’s all about the stories
It's hard to forget the stories. While the news has been saturated with the tales, what I have found is that many people need to tell what happened that day in Paradise. This has been true for not only my students, but their parents as well. Since I was there that morning, I understand that … Continue reading It’s all about the stories
Learning Without Walls 