At the end of a week in Vermont at an AP Institute on English Literature, I find myself refreshed and inspired to return to the classroom in August with new ideas. The experience was even more than I had hoped for, certainly well worth the trip up from the South. Vermont is a beautiful place, and the little town of St. Johnsbury is congenial. I drove to Waterbury today to Ben & Jerry's; along the way I passed through a number of small towns, among them Montpelier. It's the smallest state capital in the country in population. Are there any large cities in Vermont? No. I just keep hoping I'll see a moose.
Last week at Frost Place in Franconia, New Hampshire, was a truly magical experience. That one was definitely more than I had anticipated. A Conference on Teaching and Poetry, the website described it. I interpreted that to mean more of a slant to teaching poetry. It turned out that we also wrote poetry. Most of the other teachers there were already poets! Although I indicated from the beginning that I was more of a left-brain, analytical, problem-solving person, I did write some poetry. Mostly, I think, to be able to tell my students that I did it when I attempt to use some of the writing prompts with them. The most exciting moments came when I mustered up the courage to read a couple of my poems at the final poetry reading on Thursday night. It was a public reading in Robert Frost's barn (where the conference itself was held). That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I simply couldn't pass up.
Maybe I'll continue trying to write some poetry. It's a therapeutic practice, I've found.
Next week---on to Maine and lobsters!
