If you have been following me on Twitter (@donalynbooks), you know that I have spent the day stalking authors, snagging books, and endlessly looking for Jim Burke, legendary high school teacher and author. I will post photos, links to authors’ websites, and more, later on today.
I am watching my friends, Audrey Wilson, Jennifer Isgitt, Vicki Larson, and Erin Mathews, share stories and writing from their high school English classes. I am fascinated by the definition essays their students write about their personal, cultural identities from what it means to be an “African” to punk rock’s influence on modern music. Required to teach British Literature in their courses, these incredible teachers have found ways to make classics like Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales culturally and emotionally relevant to their students.
I am signing books from 3:00-4:00 pm at the Wiley booth (#719). Later this afternoon, I will attend the English Companion Ning gathering at 5:45 in Room 105B. I look forward to meeting my ning friends. I know that Jim Burke, founder of the ning, will be there!