February 2001

Fragments Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, 2001.

Snow-covered landscapes. Fragmented patterns of white and gray. Blizzard. Below-zero temperatures. De-icing of planes. Heavy coats, hats, and scarves.

Nebraska. Freezing outside. Bleak and beautiful. Warm people. Warm university buildings. Excited graduate students. Interested English professors, good discussion. Dinner with female members of the English department. Dinner with male members of the English department. (?) Arrangements and housing by Dr. Amelia Mendes, my former student.

Presentations to two assemblies at Lincoln High School thanks to arrangements by John Heinemann. Biggest speaking challenge of my year. Inspiring choral music. Wonderful week.

California. Warmer. At home. Speech at Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce. Friends. Reception and speech at my own university, Loyola Marymount. Touching outpouring of support and pride. Montebello School District. Workshops for teacher leaders on reading in the high school. More to come. Speech to retired teachers organization. Some old friends. Some new friends. Standing ovations. So much to offer education.

Dallas. Teachers of the Year from all the states. Wonderful people. Excitement. Speeches. Workshops. Mary Beth Blegen, Sharon Nelson, Julie Ferris, Jon Quam. Again. Reliving past year. Nostalgia. Speaking and sharing ideas with finalists. Anguish that my year as National Teacher of the Year 2000 will soon be over. Want it to go on and on.

Future. Pack suitcase with clothes for warmer weather. New Orleans. Columbus, Georgia. Austin, TX. Miami. Nashville.

City to city. Person to person. Idea to idea.

Fragments. Connecting.

Dr. Marilyn Whirry

Check back often to see journal entries from the coming months.

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