Teacher Smackdown

Well, I did it. I posted every single day in November here at Teacher Smackdown as part of NaBloPoMo. And now it’s time to say goodbye.

Recently, the folks at ClubMom.com cancelled their blogging program to focus all their efforts at CafeMom.com, a social networking site for moms.

I’ve been blogging at ClubMom at A Readable Feast and will be taking my 18 months of content to a self-hosted blog called My Readable Feast at www.myreadablefeast.com around January 1, 2008. Also, I’ve been hired to work as a community manager at CafeMom. So between the two projects, I’m going to be very busy.

With that in mind, I had to look cut out some things. Ultimately, that’s why my time at Teacher Smackdown has to end.

I’ve enjoyed my time here at 451Press. It’s a great team and a great community. I would encourage any blogger, especially those just starting out, to blog at 451Press. They offer great support.

The money hasn’t been great, but it’s never been about the money. Instead, it’s been about exposing the creeps who pray on our kids. If that’s your mission in life, why not apply to become 451Press writer and take it over?

I get a lot of grief here at Teacher Smackdown for never writing about all the good teachers out there. Well, that’s what your local press is for folks. Me, I’m just into exposing the bad ones and warning you how to protect your kids from these evil doers.

Since it’s Thanksgiving day, I’d like for all my readers to take a moment, and think about all the good teachers, instructors and coaches you knew during your school years (college, too!)

The ones who supported you and told you that you were smart. The ones that inspired you and exposed you to great books and ideas. The ones who got you started on your career path or helped you through a difficult time in your life. The ones who gave you a second chance when you screwed up. The ones who made you laugh.

Thank you wonderful teachers for all your hard work, love and dedication. We appreciate and give thanks for you today!

(Feel free to share below about your favorite teacher. And Happy Thanksgiving!)

I received this email yesterday:

From: Joan [mailto:jlandon@juno.com]
Sent: 08/09/2007 4:47 PM
To: editor@451press.com; am@the-write-spot.com
Subject: Website Feedback

Joan wrote:

How dare you. You do no research yourself. You pull from little local papers who have their facts all messed upDo you check the police reports? Will you print a retraction when charges are droped. Of couses not, someone like you won’t admit a mistake

Website:
IP: 69.182.35.155

My reply (which bounced back - wonder if Joan gave her real email address)

Joan:

Which case are you writing about?

I make no bones about it. I’m not a reporter. I find stories in the press and make it available for parents and teachers (my two biggest audiences) to read on one convenient website. I write snarky commentary because people are entertained by it.

Lots more people read the newspaper and the news station websites than read my blog. And that’s where I get my info from. Why don’t you complain to the newspapers? Write a letter to the editor? Talk to the news desk and ask to speak with the person who wrote the story? Show them your evidence and challenge them on it.

If someone sends me a link to a follow up story or provides me with documentation, I am more than happy to post an update whether charges are dismissed, they plead no contest, guilty, are exonerated, or whatever. My readers are interested in that and so am I.

Anne-Marie
Teacher Smackdown

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