Author: thomas.scott

Over the summer I built a practice space in my basement, and for decoration I brought down a refurbished lava lamp that was gathering dust in the boys’ bedroom. As part of this process I spent some time exploring the lava lamp side of the internet, and what a sub-culture that is, teeming with interior design aesthetes, chemical nerds (obsessed with proper liquid mixes and wax combos to produce the most pleasing “flow”), and the expected burned-out hippies. I was surprised to find that the Brits are way more into these things than we are, with lots of luxed out … Continue reading Six (or seven) things that have been on my mind

For no discernible reason, I started to think about my eighth grade English teacher, Nancy Zappulla. This started on Thursday morning. We can usually trace back these things: an old Ford Ranger leads me to a friend I knew in college; the sound of a whippoorwill leads me to summer mornings helping my mom water the flowers around the house. I would like to emphasize that Nancy Zappulla appeared without any antecedent that I can recall. As I continued my way through a very normal and pleasant day — mowing the lawn, practicing banjo, going to Home Depot to buy … Continue reading Close your eyes

During the course of a typical school day, your hardworking English teacher sometimes needs to amuse his students with a delightful fun fact.  “Did you know,” I tell the class, “that there are four generations of teachers at Woodgrove?”  They stare back at me with a mixture of confusion and concern at my enthusiasm. I elaborate:   “Did you know that science teacher Ms. Bartling was taught history at Woodgrove by Mr. Skinner, who was taught history at Park View by Dr. Shipp, who was taught chemistry at Valley by Mr. Spicer?”   Oh, how nice, they observe. Very good. What exactly … Continue reading Four Generations of Teaching at Woodgrove

I asked my students three things in a recent anonymous survey. First, describe brainrot in their own words. Next, describe an instance of brainrot observed in their own life, and finally describe an instance of brainrot they observed happen to someone else. 

Prior installments: Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023

Last year I wrote about the most influential teacher in my life and how it was a pretty dysfunctional experience and the closest I’ve ever come to spending time in a cult.  This year for Teacher Appreciation Week, I’d like to offer a slightly more positive reflection on someone even more influential on who I am today: my mom.  

The word “yap” is all the rage with the youth at the moment. Yap yap yap. My mom was yapping at me. You wouldn’t stop yapping about that during lunch. Yap yap yap.  I will now yap about stuff I’ve had on my mind.  ***

PART I  Thursday, January 18 – Only day of school this week. Most of the morning spent rescheduling the event tomorrow in light of the forecast. Emailing students and judges and making sure everyone is aware. Trying to determine how many students we will lose to scheduling conflicts next week.  Monday, January 22 – Arrive at school early, refreshed and ready to start the week. Only at 9:00 do I start to realize that I’m the only soul in the English hallway. Where the hell is everyone? I check the schedule. End-of-the-quarter planning day. How do you like that?  

Prior installments: Zen Moments: Fall 2022 Zen Moments: Spring 2023   Met a student with a cool alliterative name. Student: “Yeah. All my siblings have these initials.” Me: “So your parents are…?” Student: “Weird? Yes. And divorced.” *

Tuesday, January 2 – First day back. Original oratory student stops by in the morning to discuss changes to her piece. She is excited and ready to start memorizing. A positive start to what is otherwise a dark day on the forensics front. Black Tuesday – numerous students withdrawing from their forensics commitments: