Mary Willson

middle school speech & debate teacher, @newmarkjleaders ‘20. She/her. Passionate about student voice, local news. Always learning. @coloradostateu alum. #EdColo

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

It’s back to school!! Some scenes from the week before school starts here at @STRIVE_Prep GVR middle in Denver. 2nd year teaching Speech & Debate to 6th graders. I love this school & students & can’t wait to meet a new class!! This year’s classroom: #edcolo #denverschools

[Acyn @Acyn]

“I wanted to address my senators, Cruz and Cornyn.. I would like for them to know that what happened to me is a direct result of the policies they support. I nearly died on their watch and I may have been robbed of the opportunity to have children in the future”

[Kenzie Kesselring @alwaysbsleeping]

So overall, all outcomes have been incredibly disappointing. I hate that DPS had to be the center of the spotlight this week only for nothing to be done… again #GunReformNow

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

Update it’s no longer subscriber only. 👏🏾 https://t.co/m1F5kGo0WW

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

I'm a middle school teacher in Denver, where there was a shooting yesterday. I got an alert about the school board voting to add officers back in schools in our district. It is paywalled. Breaking news, about SCHOOL SAFETY. This should not be "premium." I am furious. @denverpost

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

Have features paywalled. Not news that affects my life and my students' life. And safety.

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

I am a former journalist & understand the need to monetize the work. But from the other side of the industry, the public is losing trust in publications. I need this info for my and my student's safety. This is your literal job as an organization to provide it.

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

@alwaysbsleeping Thinking of you and everyone at Montbello. Sending all the love. 💔

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

Some personal news as they say: I created a little human! We welcomed baby Sage a few weeks ago. I'll return to the classroom in January – Missing the students & school life but am grateful for some time with our son!

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

@whale Is this Shambala Center in N. Colorado??

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

In the elevator of the apartment at 6:50 with another woman holding a lunchbox, backpack, coffee, and an extra tote wearing sneakers. Same. We both looked at each other and we’re like “are you a teacher” *nods* “are you a teacher?” *also nods*

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

Another one specifically about Minecraft. This is all original writing with step-by-step instructions. Best assignment!!

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

We are doing How-To Speeches this unit and the assignment was to create a Slide deck with direct instructions on how to do something (anything!!).

Have kids write about what they love. This is 1 of 13 slides about How to Beat Minecraft by a 12 year old!! #teaching #k12 #edchat

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

I never once since I’ve become a teacher feel like my workday is sending silly little emails because it’s such beautiful, fun, challenging chaos hanging out with amazing 12-year-olds.

Today doing the PB&J challenge (lesson: writing specific instructions/ how-to speech prep).

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

“We sell candy and drinks meet at bleachers.” This was confiscated and was folded up SO TINY. No trace of a recess bodega happening. #middleschool

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

News travels ~slow~ in middle school since teachers aren’t on phones & students can’t have them.

Today went: In my 6 classes a single student would comment on the Queen Elizabeth news that they heard from another teacher & the rest of the class waterfall erupt. Rinse & repeat.

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

A reminder that those on this app that have time to be here are not the economic majority. A student asked how long teachers work daily.
They were shocked as her parents both work blue collar jobs 12+ hours a day. This is a bubble, doesn’t represent the reality of most Americans

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

@Graham_W_Ringo Far too logical

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

A student was limping today & when I asked if he was okay, he said he was walking to not crease his shoes. This is a regular occurrence in middle school and I forgot about it until just now. I love teenagers so much.

[Mary Willson @mary_willson]

The @Starbucks right next to the school I teach at gets HOARDS of kids hanging out after school & today during my break when I was picking up coffee I saw them filling dozens of cups with ice water for them. 🥹 They are safe here and I appreciated them doing this so much!!!