last week

This week was my last week at Park Road. I have been reassigned to Mendon Center. It was the result of a reshuffling of paraprofessionals in the district to better serve the students. I am sad to leave Park Road, but it gave me a chance to share the stories I have written and my knowledge of the writing business with some of the students.

I went into all four 5th grade classes to say goodbye to them since I worked in one of the 4th grade classes last year at Park Road. I read three of my stories to them and also talked to them about my writing process, organization techniques, and the writing business. They were very interested and I was excited that they had some good questions for me. They wanted to know things like, "Do you have to ask a publisher before submitting your story?" and "How long does it take to hear back?" They also asked me about where I get my ideas. I told them I get my ideas from just observing things around me and from working with kids.

I also read three of my stories to the 3rd grade class I work in. And then the classroom teacher gave them the idea to make illustrations for my stories since they are picture book stories. So far I have received three great pictures. At some point I may try to upload them and put them in a separate post.