To my mentor and friend

Years ago, I was told about a PD that was happening around a book called Notice and Note; the authors, Bob Probst and Kylene Beers, were in the area, and it came recommended. I had not heard of them or their work before this, but I figured I should give it a shot. I know it is probably cliché to say. Still, that session and the friendship that I later developed with them both have changed me as an educator, and their impact on my classroom will very likely continue in some form or another until I close my door for the last time.

I wrote about my classroom practice when I taught middle school and how I utilized Notice and Note for MiddleWeb (click MiddleWeb to take you there) about six years ago (time flies). As I moved on from middle school into high school, I still leaned on my Notice and Note work to help my students to read and understand more deeply the texts they encounter. The language has changed, but the principles remain. I start my year talking about close reading. I also bring up "my friend Kylene" with the kids as we discuss the need to be responsive and responsible in our reading. I remember that line from Disrupting Thinking. I loved that book from the moment I first started reading. Both that and Forged by Reading are books that moved me as an educator, but also reestablished the importance of the work we do.

Kylene's words adorn my walls. I think it was her who told me that our classroom walls should tell people what we value. The bulletin boards are usually a place for student work, but the walls of my room have quotes on them.

This quote is massive. Kylene had suggested once putting up butcher paper and having kids write about their favourite books. Instead, I took empty picture frames and kids wrote favourite quotes about reading and books on them with paint markers. They did not stay up, and the patches of missing paint are a constant reminder haha.

I love this quote so much because it exemplifies Kylene's passion as an advocate for kids. It sits right inside my classroom door, and I read it every day as a reminder of what is important.

I remember the first time I interacted with Kylene on Twitter, it was after the PD session here and we were doing a G2Great chat about Disrupting Thinking. Soon after that chat, she followed me( I pretty much died), then messaged me asking if I wouldn't mind doing an interview with Scholastic magazine. I happily did. Later, I attended my first NCTE. The room Kylene and the late (and incredible) Teri Lesesne were presenting in was way too small for two speakers of their magnitude, I had just arrived off the plane and was in sweatpants and the room was filled with hardly even walking space because of educators crammed in sitting on the floor. A friend (shout out to Crystal) was sitting on the floor and beside her there was just enough room for a Brent sized butt. I declined the offer and figured I would just attend another session. Kylene found out and announced that Brent from Canada was here and she wanted me to come sit on the floor. It was awkward but awesome and I did step between bodies (Hi Jennifer) to find my little slice of floor space right up front. I still have that picture. I ran into Kylene at Teaching for the Love of It in Toronto. As I walked into the ballroom, she and Bob were again presenting, and the middle of a conversation Kylene paused when she saw me and came to give me a hug. I introduced her to Julie and later we went out for dinner with her and Bob and it is one of my favourite conference memories. Recently Kylene used some of my student's work in the wonderful third edition of When Kids Can't Read and when I showed the kids they just could not beleive that their work was in a book. The gratitude that I have for Kylene and not just her work but also her mentorship and friendship can't be measured.

I have had the blessing of having a lot of great relationships through teaching. Meals shared and laughs had. I could write a few more of these posts and maybe I will. Today however I just felt the need to reflect in gratitude for a friend who has helped me professionally, built me up personally, and served as an example of a life long educator. One day I hope to get down to Tyrolia but in the meantime I am just going to reflect on the memories and hope I can spread even just a little of your message with others.

Thanks my friend.