mary van milligen

Dedicated readers of this blog, I have some great news.  I was able to put the Me back into Media without altering my convictions.  (Special note:  The upper half of me is typing this, while the lower half of me tap dances). When I came home Friday afternoon, all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch and watch a movie.  I happily hung out with my childhood friend visiting from California, Greg Vojtanek, the night before, and I didn’t get home until after 10:30P.M.  We had a lovely evening reflecting on all the years of laughter and experiences we’ve had; we then spoke passionately about all of the creative writing ideas we’ve been juggling and struggling to get out there or simply put on paper. It was a lovely night. But, this was quite an accomplishment for a 40year old, high school teacher and mother of two that usually wakes up around 5:15A.M.  On top of that, I only teach semester courses and received all new students that Tuesday, so my comfortable couch in the family room that afternoon sweetly summoned me to its arms, softly cradled me, and kindly whispered that I should stay there until it was time for pajamas. (Special note: due to the upcoming shift in tone, the dancing ceases).

For some odd reason, I checked my work email about two hours later.  I never do that.  I usually break up with my phone (It’s not the phone; it’s me.  But we can still be friends) between 4-6PM on most days, but regardless, I looked.  To my immense surprise, I received an email from the crafty and passionate pesterer for all good things in teaching Illinois Writing Project director, Steven Zemelman, that an article that I wrote months ago would be published in the weekend edition of the Chicago Sun Times.  I found this astounding for two reasons.  One, I pictured the article already cobwebbed and prepared for eulogy in the Sun Times universe forever ago, and two, it was rejected because of its tone.  I refused to alter the piece because it was truly me.  It was my classroom.  It was an accurate tribute to the wonderful things teachers do every day. It was the type of spotlight that public education desires.

This news has awakened hope in me.  Did it dawn on this editor that we should be listening more to the veteran, intellectually inspiring people that work with kids every single day who chronically witness how bureaucratic influence and overwhelming testing are leading a poorly executed waltz? Did he simply have a change of heart?  Did he just need filler?  Who cares?  My words sail.  I hope other teachers help me change the face of public education.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/7/71/1255341/poetry-class-op-ed

(Special note: the tap dancing resumes).

Conviction wins. Chorus Line singing begins. “I’m watching sis’ go pitterpat.  Said, I can do that. I can do that. Knew every step right off the bat.  Said, I can do that.  I can do that.”