by KP | May 30, 2017 | Ceramics, Education
On the day I returned to teaching ceramics after almost leaving the studio for good, Ben arrived after school, eager to learn to throw a pot. When he departed a few hours later with clay on his shoes, he left me with much to consider about my approach to teaching. Ben...
by KP | Sep 11, 2016 | Ceramics, Education, Journalism, Social Issues
On the morning of September 11, 2001, all the color had drained from Kim’s face when she flung open the office door. She came from the residence hall’s community center, where there was a TV that always seemed to be on, even when no one was watching. Out of breath,...
by KP | Aug 24, 2016 | Education, Random, Social Issues
Without [farm], where would we be? Tied in barns, tied to trees, left inside or outside to starve, injured, lame and in pain, blind, or standing in the kill pen waiting for our death sentence. Waiting for our final ride to the agony of a cruel and undeserved end. What...
by KP | Aug 5, 2016 | Education, Social Issues
Sometimes you just have to leave. At the start of this summer, many of the people in my circle of care were giving me high-fives and fist-bumps. When the school year ended, my first summer off in nine years loomed ahead. On paper it sounded like a wonderful idea,...
by KP | Jul 31, 2016 | Education, Journalism, Social Issues
“Tell me everything.” Silence. “Everything!” My voice might be shrill. More silence. A breath. “What do you want to know?” Rain has soaked through my sneakers and I’m sliding in mud as I walk across the field where I feed three horses each night. In my...
by KP | Jul 15, 2016 | Education, Journalism
It’s closing morning of the Journalism Education Association (JEA) Adviser’s Institute, and I am sitting in Starbucks, having a panic attack. I have spent the last four days in a vibrant learning community of journalism teachers from all over the country....
