cynthia nearman

writing teacher and sometimes-writer. anti-racist, education scholar/activist, hip-hop lover and general music-junkie. asst prof of ENG at Guilford College, NC.

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@ilamb00 sorry it's taken so long for me to say: your blog is *gorgeous* (also smart, useful, professional, inviting, well-written ...)

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@jcohenwrites so awe-struck I can't even gush yet. it's breathtaking and (of course) heartbreaking. gillianwelch.com

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

new gillian welch, "the harrow & the harvest," = stunning. holy - f*#k*%g - shit beautiful. http://t.co/TVwQ1XD

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

how is this possible? kid's likely been walking only a few yrs, yet he's a bad-ass dancer: "Dual Mix Dance Free Step" http://bit.ly/mMDH1v

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

please assist? take this one-item survey re: gender norms for a student's adv. rhetoric project http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZXTWV2D

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

what's the word on the new TV on the Radio, or the new Gorillaz? ("nine types of light" clips I've heard sound badass).

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

my *other* new favorite TED talk, Patricia Ryan's "Don't insist on English" http://bit.ly/lBLLMF (also for #en380, esp. @jarrey01)

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

Scott McCloud's TED talk on comics, for @t3crocker @jarrey01 @tlinville11 plus @ilamb00 (who 1st intro'd me 2 McCloud) http://bit.ly/lK7HbI

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@chimesfergusson 's MMCC that makes me think of Adora Svitak's TED talk, but I'd love to hear all #en380 thoughts: http://bit.ly/jfOBFa

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

my new fave TED talk: Dave Meslin on "redefining apathy" (or "the true thesis of #en380) http://bit.ly/iquz1F

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@5MinutePoet use the feedback guide to make an informal list of things you'd like to share w/both other members of your group.

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@kellydesilva ... a perfect example of how those w/power to decide often operate from bad info, zero foresight & rotten ideologies. #en380

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@kellydesilva these indv. teacher scores will mean 2 things: all ESL teachers get fired & harmful views of ESL students reified. #en380

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@kellydesilva or, more simply: education is political. #en380

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@kellydesilva many people w/power to decide hold strange, false, even damaging ideas re: when/how "proper grammar" should be taught/learned.

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@kellydesilva the problem = how easy it is to say "teach proper grammar" vs. how hard it is to be certain re: when, how, why & by whom.

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@kellydesilva ...the more impt ?s have to do w/the power to decide & the means to enforce or alter such decisions. how does *that* happen?

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@kellydesilva I know zero teachers who'd "allow this" for any class writing, but disallowing doesn't ever make a thing go away. for me ...

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

@kellydesilva agreed. I'm w/Garner on such things, a prescriptivist who gets & appreciates certain descriptivist motives & insights. #en380

[cynthia nearman @cnearman]

list of verbs includes "persuading peers." RT @dmlcentral Teaching the iGeneration: It's About Verbs, Not Tools http://bit.ly/fm0lVj #en380