SLICE OF LIFE: Day 6/31--Debbie Miller Visits

SLICE OF LIFE: 6/31

Today was the day we had been waiting for! The weather was perfect: partly cloudy with the sun peeking through and in the high 60s. For northern Indiana, that was about the best for which we could hope. I got up early and had butterflies already. I rushed out of the house with my bottle of water and got to the school by 7:20. That's early for me! Everything was already in place: chairs to fit over 40 people, overhead in case she needed it and the visiting classrooms looked terrific.

At about 7:55 here she came walking up the hallway with Starbuck coffee container in her hand and that big smile on her face. I knew we could do it! Today was the day Debbie Miller came to visit our elementary school to model Reading Workshop in front of 40+ teachers.

The students were wonderful, so smart. They opened up and shared their thinking. Thinking that they didn't even know they had. From working with J. with her funking little braids all over her head, to coaxing M. into talking when he wasn't sure he wanted to, she brought enthusiasm back into the lives of many teachers.

This Slice of Life was a once in a life time slice. One that will live on with many of us for years to come. One that will change lives all over northern Indiana. There is now a huge Debbie Miller fan club in the All Write!!! area.