I am here to defend the Monthly Topic! I want it to stay! I’ve never commented on any of your posts about it, but it is really something I’ve been pondering very deeply over the course of last month. I have to admit, it is not an easy topic for me, and after a whole month of thinking (almost every single day) about what motivates me, I have to admit that I still do not know entirely. I actually may be even more lost about myself than I was before. But that’s a good thing. That’s the point of a month-long pondering topic. I have a lot more to say, but I’ll probably just save that for a future essay for your class. Anyhow, please continue to do the Monthly Topics. I know what it’s like to not feel like people are noticing, but rest assured — people see. And it really is a good thing.

~Kiersten Gasper, Sophomore, Cheney High School

Dang kids.  Always meddlin’ with my plans!  First, they rope me into doing the independent learning projects with them. Then, yesterday, they cajoled me into writing an injustice speech along with them, and now, today, Kiersten is not going to let me abandon the Monthly Topic.  I’m beginning to wonder who’s really in charge in 219.

For those who don’t know, Kiersten was responding to my “Change in Course” post (http://www.letschangeeducation.com/?p=327), where I revealed that I would no longer be presenting a Monthly Topic because I was uncertain that it was having the desired impact; people just weren’t chiming in.  But of course, Kiersten flipped that upside down with her persuasive plea.  How can I not heed her words?  I mean come on,

“…it is really something I’ve been pondering very deeply over the course of last month. I have to admit, it is not an easy topic for me, and after a whole month of thinking (almost every single day) about what motivates me, I have to admit that I still do not know entirely. I actually may be even more lost about myself than I was before. But that’s a good thing. That’s the point of a month-long pondering topic. I have a lot more to say, but I’ll probably just save that for a future essay for your class.”

Really?  Girl knows what buttons to push.  Fine, Kiersten!  Have it your way.  I guess if it’s something that you are going to ponder very deeply for a month, I can find the strength to present a new topic as the calendar turns.  It will be on your desk by Monday.  Kids.

Happy Thursday, all.