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grin and bare it

A blog by Matthew Dicks

Plaque and a player

By mattyd | May 26, 2023

My friend and former colleague, Rob Hugh, who taught vocal music in West Hartford public schools for 39 years, returned last week to play percussion for our inter-elementary school choir. The choir was also singing…

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Storytelling for Parents workshop

By mattyd | May 25, 2023

Got kids? Know someone who has kids? Check out my brand new Storytelling for Parents workshop. Saturday, June 17, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST. I’ll be teaching all of the strategies that I…

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Fixed!

By mattyd | May 24, 2023

In the event that you haven’t seen a blog post from me in nearly a week, fear not. I was still writing and posting. You were, perhaps, just not seeing them. The problem has been…

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50 years of Barbara and Gerry Green

By mattyd | May 24, 2023

My in-laws, Barbara and Gerry – celebrated their 50th year of marriage last week, which is astounding. They have been married nearly as long as I have been alive. They’ve been married through ten Presidential…

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Unexpected surprise at laser tag

By mattyd | May 23, 2023

Charlie and I played laser tag on Sunday at Nomads Adventure Quest, an oddly named indoor amusement center in South Windsor, CT. We also bowled, spent an hour killing zombies in virtual reality, played a…

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Standing in the arena

By mattyd | May 22, 2023

A while ago, I wrote something that many, many people – including my wife – greatly appreciated. It was pointed, perhaps a little edgy, and not gentle, but I believed in what I wrote and…

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Teacher of the Year over the years

By mattyd | May 21, 2023

Henry A. Wolcott School – where I have taught for the past 24 years – has been blessed with a large number of teachers who have been named Teacher of the Year in our school…

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Rotten, clever children

By mattyd | May 20, 2023

If my students are focused and worked hard during math class, I allow them to spend 3 minutes writing anything they want on their whiteboards. Oftentimes they draw less than flattering pictures of me. It’s…

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I’m on the stupid bulletin board

By mattyd | May 19, 2023

I was standing in a local bagel shop with Clara yesterday. We had just left a doctor’s appointment, and I was getting Clara some breakfast before driving her back to school. “I’m going to look…

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Lucky to be alive now?

By mattyd | May 18, 2023

Elysha and I were listening to the Hamilton soundtrack again on the way back from New Jersey last week. So many of those songs strike a chord with me, but the one I’ve been thinking…

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