Dear Faithful Reader,
After five months of prose on pedagogy, poetry, film reviews, alternative politics, photos and play scene excerpts, a quick review:
I truly appreciate all your reads and reactions, especially the personal emails or posted remarks. You actually help keep me inspired to keep writing.
Some alert subscribers, including Nancy Fryer, my ever patient sister, have noted errors or typos where I subsequently made corrections (especially the last family tree outline in “Backstory with the Band”). I even forgot to mention my ancestral connection to the real Jethro Tull. . . . For any updated text, you would have to again click onto my Substack page after you first access it through your email.
Plans for a special paid subscription will be launched in April, for those desiring a deeper dive into complete plays, longer essays and reflections on my continued roles in education — while helping support future (side gig for now) projects in both theater and screenwriting. Free subs will still feature my weekly rummaging and rumbling.
As a devoted urban educator, parent to two teenagers and local Union President, I intend to keep reporting from this unusual front-line perspective after completing my weekly teaching tasks (emphasis added for my supervisors). Teachers often remain marginalized by the media, and sometimes, we still get scapegoated by unsympathetic parents, administrators and school boards. In such polarizing times, different voices in necessary discussions seem more vital than ever.
Despite the oldster frighteningly staring at me in the mirror, I intend to remain teaching high school at least another year starting in September.
Thanks & Peace,
William
Enjoyed reading your various writings, especially as they relate to your past development and journey through life. Really appreciate your references to your dear Mother. Aunt Edith was such a wonderful, kind, caring, and inclusive person. She is so special. Great memories.
All the best to you in your future writings.
Cousin Herb
Love that Nancy is reviewing...perhaps bring her in earlier in the process. Nitpicking aside, really enjoying your writing! Keep it up!