I’m not exactly sure who said it – either Confucius or Lao-tzu – and quite frankly, it doesn’t really matter, but this quote resonates with me: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Today is that first step for me. Most people wait for a significant day to try something new – think New Year’s resolutions or the first day of school or a birthday. But today? It holds zero significance for me except for the simple fact that I am changing the way I approach writing and instruction with my students.

Over the next few months, my plan is to overhaul my current curricular requirements and figure out how to make writing more holistic for my students. Personally, I think it’s nice that they can identify what a phrase is and if it is adjective or adverb, but it’s not the “be all, end all.” That be all, end all should be their ability to write coherently in all settings. Command of grammar, while important, can’t have the same emphasis as writing.

So today I begin that journey of a thousand miles. I don’t know when I’ll reach the end, and I’m not too sure how I will get there . . . but I have a road map and some traveling companions, and I’m not afraid to use them. If you care to join me or to offer any suggestions, I welcome them. Cheers!