Jennifer Anne Kogler

Yesterday, I went to Hale Middle School.  Math-teacher-slash-media-specialist Mr. Shatkun welcomed me and although Scott, Julian and Jordan picked good places to go, we were unable to make it happen.  It was my first school in The Valley and it was a good way to start.  Though I think it’s about ten degrees warmer there than it is in the OC.  

I don’t know if it’s a New Jersey things, but they name their schools there in such a logical and systematic way.  Like Crossroads North and South.  Or Montgomery Lower and Upper.  It just makes sense.  On Friday of this past week, I found myself with in front of Montgomery Lower Middle School.  Mrs. Strawn was spirited and so enthusiastic, it was hard not to be the same way.  Also, I have to say that both Montgomery Lower and Upper are on Burnt Hill Road, which is a pretty cool street name.  In my humble opinion.  

Huge thanks to Ms. Coates for inviting me into her classroom.  She was so, so nice and I got such wonderful questions from her 7th graders.  

Also, I should give a special thank you to everyone who has emailed me and said nice things about the book and those who have emailed me just to say “hi” or to ask a question.  I really need to start asking the fantastic librarians/media specialists that I meet for permission to post the pictures I take with them so I can stop the monotony of me posing in parking lots by myself.

On Tuesday I learned that there are three Brunswicks in New Jersey.  There’s a New, an East, and most importantly, a South Brunswick.  I don’t know what happened to North and West Brunswick, but apparently, they didn’t make the cut.

Anyhow, South Brunswick is where Crossroads North was situated.  Kim Zito and the library gang were a class act.  No really, they were.  There was delicious cake, fruit and drinks.  It was top-notch.  Everyone there was also hilarious.  I was laughing hysterically when I was hanging out with the library ladies.  South Brunswick also has it’s own Koi Pond and an executive board to go with it.  At Crossroads North, there were two of the most unusual requests for teleportation destinations:  Narnia from Brendan and my personal favorite, Atlantis, where Jason wanted to become a Merman.  Both teleporters were hilarious.  Kelly was more sensible and chose Seaside on the Jersey shore.  A great time was had by all.  Okay, okay, so I can’t guarantee that other people had a great time, but I sure did. 

I then headed to Crossroads South the next day.  Which is actually right in back of Crossroads North.  I was welcomed by both assistant principals, who were as nice as can be and Rita Nannini was all smiles and reassurances and a great lady to hang out with for the day.  My favorite teleporter for Wednesday was Elizabeth, who decided, very logically, that she wanted to teleport to Mrs. Nannini in the back of the auditorium so that everyone could see if it worked.   I also have to thank Mrs. Gleim, who was with me at both Crossroads (the crossroads of the crossroads, you might say) and she was great fun both days.   

Here is a picture which begs the question:  What exactly is the Hershey Luggage Drop off?

Last Monday, I finished off my Reunions Weekend (it was my 5th year college Reunion) by visiting with Steve Dunbar and the gang at Witherspoon Middle School.  I must say that I got some of the most “advanced” questions I’ve received yet.  In particular, one student tried to explain, in detail, how to teleport and he lost me as soon as he mentioned “atoms” and “quarks” in the same sentence.  Brock, Ben/Lucas (I’m not sure which name was his actual name) and Caroline all were valiant in the line of duty, but I’m afraid we had no success once again.  Another thing Witherspoon excelled at?  Longest sign.

Sierra Vista had one of the coolest backdrops for presentation-giving.  They were putting on some play and so I had a kiddie pool to my left side and a lovely painted scene behind me.  Special thanks to Donna DeLap for putting the whole thing on in royal fashion.

I finished out the week at Hewes Middle School.  This was obviously a very special visit for me because it was my very own middle school.  If someone had told me that in roughly a little more than a decade, I would be standing in front of three assemblies as a Hewes Highlander, I would have laughed in his or face.  No really, I would have.  It was a surreal experience.  I should also take this opportunity to thank two of my favorite teachers ever, Mrs. Ellis and Mrs. Mathisen, both from Hewes.  They rock.  

It’s always good to go home.  A couple weeks ago, I started off at El Rancho.  It was a real pleasure to be back at El Rancho, namely because it was my FIRST school visit ever.  I was promoting Ruby Tuesday and it was my first school audience.  I remember I was horribly nervous, but the students were so excited, and they have one of the best librarians/media specialists in the business, Kristi Mora. Really, she was great the first time I visited and, although she was slightly more pregnant this time, she was equally awesome.  

. . . And by that, I mean, where have I been.  Well, you know, I’ve been around.  I’m actually in New Jersey, so if I haven’t blogged about your school, you’ll have to forgive me.  I am going to catch up this weekend, I promise. 

More on my school visits to come!   

-jak