Slice 31. Seven years of writing daily in the month of March complete. This year, the writing was the easy part. I never wrote ahead. I never had a plan. Each of my 31 slices this month came from a moment lived. The writing was my self-care moment each day.
When I turned 40, my mom gave me a sign that read “There Is Gold in Every Piece of Your Story.” I couldn’t think of a more perfect phrase to end this month with. I began this month thankful for permission from my friend and fellow Slicer, Peter, to write about the heavy feelings I was experiencing, way back on March 1st. In his own way, Peter validated that there was gold in the heavy just as there was gold in the joy. The greatest joy I received this month was helping others find the gold in their lived moments and encouraging them to capture those moments by writing.
For the second year in a row, our school community came together to write and share our stories with one another. Once again, we grew closer in knowing each other but also through the shared experience of writing together. There were many days when people were discussing ideas or talking about their writing process. As Dawn wrote about in her post, Surprise Slicers, we aimed for 31 people to write and share their stories, but we had many people who joined the fun as the month went on., bringing our total count to over 40 slices shared.
Way back in February, I planted a seed for fellow literacy teacher, Ashley. After reading aloud to a fifth grade class on World Read Aloud Day, she came out gushing about how the kids she had met as kindergarteners when she first joined our school community had grown. She was in awe at their reflections on the book Love, by Matt de la Peña. “You should write about that,” I had said. Sure enough, on March 3rd Ashley’s post entited Love went live on our school blog.
Then, on March 6, Jenn’s post revealed that the little nudge we gave her when we got her to add her name to our calendar, was taken. She had been walking down the hall, on her way to assist a student in afterschool Tae Kwon Do when we asked her to join the challenge. “I don’t have anything to write about,” she had retorted. “Write about this,” I called, gesturing to the sweet scene with her walking beside her friend all dressed and ready for class. Her post shared the appreciation and respect the students showed for the master leading their class.
Then there was Jame’el, our assistant principal. He’s been an eager participant, contributing three slices to our school blog this month. There was one evening when he shared a photo of himself, in a group chat. He was sitting in the barber chair. That seemed like the perfect opportunity to point out a story idea. “You should write about that,” I replied. Jame’el has since created his own blog and just last week posted his first link on Tuesday’s call for Slices on the Two Writing Teacher blog, The Shop.
My three daughters are getting ready for the Classroom Slice of Life Challenge now. They all have their own blog and they’ve all previously successfully completed at least one month-long writing challenge. The anticipation of April is building, they have, after all, watched me write a lot lately. When we’re in the car, Adi often says, “but I have nothing to write about…” and so it continues. We talk about stories and I know these stories will be included in those that they decide to share in April.
There have been days that I have needed a nudge, for someone to point out the potential stories from my day. I’m always happy when these stories find their way to the page. I love giving that nudge, and helping others to see the gold in their story.
Thank you to the Two Writing Teacher Community, for another month of writing, sharing, and showing up for one another. There is gold in every piece of your story.
Where There Is Joy 
What a gorgeous sign! And how appropriate for you (and all slicers). I remain in awe of your community’s blogging & plan to go check out your VP’s, too. Gold in every story- heavy or light, in the moment or in our memories. See you on Tuesdays. 💕
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Love, love that sign! Keep planting seeds, and all good things will grow! One of the things I miss most after March now is the daily connection with you. ♥️
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I’m inspired by the way you faced these challenges. I feel I took the easy road writing a poem a day, but when I said that to my director, she looked at me and said, “You had 31 poems in you. That should be celebrated. That is not the easy way out.” Maybe she’s right, but you’ve inspired me to take on a longer challenge next March!
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Congratulations on your 31 poems! ❤️
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Gah- your words so often leave me pausing to savor them, but all the power in today’s “summary”, wow! You are such a cheerleader for writing and walk the talk. Yes to the heavy! Your point about writing being your daily self care really resonates with me. Thanks for sharing your words! I start the student challenge with my class tomorrow and look forward to sharing this slice with them.
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What a beautiful reflection on all of the community you and writing have helped to build. I admire how you help others see the value of the small moments in life and inspire them to capture those moments in words!
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This piece celebrates not only writing but that oral rehearsal and listening. The conversations that are the pre to writing and the conversations that happen post writing (hallway conversations) are often unnoticed parts of the process, yet they are invaluable bookends to a slice. Thanks for sharing, listening, and nudging so many writers. Happy Easter!
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I’m so glad we come here to share our stories, the gold in our lives. I’m glad your SES slice went well. Our month of slicing at school was powerful too. Writing and commenting are incredible ways to build an inclusive community. Everyone belongs. Everyone’s voice is heard. Everyone feels seen. Congratulations on another successful March filled with writing.
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You definitely helped many of us to see the gold in our stories, and I love how this slice shows how you do that in your school community and as a mom, too. How amazing that your coworkers helped complete their own school SOLC! I am definitely bringing that idea back to my own school. Thank you!!
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There is indeed gold in every piece of writing and the writing community you describe shows how infectious your enthusiasm for writing is – you have inspired so many. Thank you for sharing
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Jessica,
You have been an integral part of my month. Thank you. I love that title and sign your mom gave you. I love the way you have built a community of writers in your school. You are amazing. After reading g Amanda’s post, I told her it needs to be part of an NCTE annual convention session. I can see your post here as in a synergistic relationship w/ Amanda’s. Do you present at NCTE? I hope you and Amanda will consider collaborating for 2025. I’ll check out your colleague’s post and look forward to see g you i. Tuesdays.
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Thank you Glenda! I have never been to NCTE but I submitted a proposal with the TWT team for Boston. I would love to come together with some Slicers to put something together. Thank you for planting this seed! ❤️
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Kudos to your and your community for coming together to share and recognize the gold in each others’ stories. I have a deep admiration of the way that you write about your family as well as your work community, with love, humility and care.
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I’m so glad you started and got me to start too. My favorite line from your slice… there was gold in the heavy just as there was gold in the joy.
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How powerful – to have the TWT community and then your own school community. For the past couple years we’ve had a small school community of writers here too – we are spread out though – and I haven’t thought about the way to have us share more of the experience. Love how you have done that!
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