This is just a thank you to the TWT blog team for hosting the March Slice Challenge. I loved it last year; I loved it this year. My boss sent me an email yesterday saying that an article for our district newsletter was due Monday. I think I would have been in such a panic if I wasn’t writing regularly. Instead of becoming stressed, I just started writing. I have this challenge and community to thank for that.
I am going to personally commit to slicing on Tuesdays and trying to write every day outside of this challenge. Yesterday I visited a writing workshop. After students were “finished” writing, they pulled out books and read. While when I started in my current position, I would have thought that wonderful – look at how much the students are reading, I now realize that “writing ” was being told, you are something to finish – to get done – to stop and switch over to reading from. I want students to keep journals and write down their every notice. Today, I could have written about at least five topics that emerged for me as a writer. I will work throughout this year to live the writer’s life and to share the importance, no the vital-ness, of writing with educators and students.
Thank you for being a sounding board for my thoughts, ideas, and writing. Thank you for being a tremendously accepting community where writing and writers thrive.
aileenhower's Blog 
I have enjoyed your slices over the past month. That is a very clever observation of the writing workshop. We have a lot of work to do going forward, but we can do it. We can spread the joy of writing!
Jennifer
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts so much. It was great to connect!
Aileen, your comment, ” I think I would have been in such a panic if I wasn’t writing regularly. ” really resonated with me. Writing tasks that seemed a bit daunting before this month don’t seem as much of a challenge. Thank you for sharing such wonderful slices with us this month! Best to you!
Thank you for reading and commenting!!
I couldn’t agree more! I wrote a book 3 years ago, but never considered myself a writer. Writing daily for this challenge has been a game changer for me. I think so differently about writing in life and in classrooms since this challenge. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and reflections through your writing – you always push my thinking.
Clare
Ditto! I cannot wait to learn from you this summer. Your posts are always so full and rich with educational thoughts. I aspire to write like you one day!
Aileen, you are a wonderful and very capable writer! I know you have many projects in the works. I will look for your slices on Tuesdays. I am going to continue to slice, too! Your writing was so varied and always had an “honest and sincere” tone to it. Thanks for sharing!
From your fingers to God’s ears! Thank you for reading. I learned so much from reading your posts this month: about you and beautiful prose and verse!
Aileen, this is exactly what I wanted to express today. It’s been an amazing experience and I look forward to hearing from you on Tuesdays.
Thanks for reading and responding. What an incredible community!
So much wisdom in this slice, Aileen. I agree completely about writing getting easier. It’s the same with everything – the more you do it, the easier it gets. Now we all have each other to nudge and encourage.
It is a wonderful community!
I love your thinking about how students view writing vs reading. I want to revisit that. I’m sorry we haven’t been more connected this year as we were last year, but know that you are on my mind frequently. I love how you think. Hope all is well.
Thanks for this! I think we are two very busy individuals, you especially with your new role! I am glad that we are still connected and know that while this might be a season of ebb, the flow will happen 🙂 Going to ILA in Boston this year??
I hadn’t thought about it, but perhaps that is just what I should do. >> off to find out details.
You are such a gifted writer, and you have such important things to say, Aileen. I always look forward to your slices – every March day and every Tuesday.
Thank you, Tara. I have truly grown thanks to this community.
Aileen, your posts always made me think. I enjoyed reading them because they are honest and real. I’m so glad that I got to know you in a different way from reading your writing. Thank you, also, for your responses to my posts. Keep writing!
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog both last year and this year. I believe you shared more about yourself this year. I also have to say it’s a small world! I see you are the course instructor for the PSU Summer Literacy Institute. I live in York Co. and may attend part of the conference. It would be a pleasure to meet you!
Oh, I hope I get to meet you! I didn’t realize you were in York county. We have to make our paths cross soon. Thanks for your responses to my writing. I have greatly appreciated them.
As always, I have enjoyed your slices, Aileen. I look forward to your weekly posts.
Thank you!
Writing has gotten easier after doing it daily! I enjoyed reading your posts. Thank you for all your comments to my posts!
You are a wonderful writer.