On Friday, I cried. I cried when an about-to-graduate-and-go-be-amazing Ac Dec senior gave me a teacher appreciation card. I cried when my principal showered me with embarrassingly excessive praise. And I cried when asked by visiting administrators about my teaching style. Friday, four curriculum administrators from a neighboring district came to watch my class. They wanted to see a workshop style classroom, and so they were invited to mine. With them was my district curriculum supervisor, my inclusion teacher, and me. Seven adults. Maybe 24 kids. An unusual ratio. First, my students read their choice books, and I managed to confer with three different kiddos. Next, they prepared themselves and their thoughts for their fourth book club meeting using the ultimate academic tool, Post-it notes. Then, off we went. Book clubs met and discussed their questions and findings while recording their conversations for me to view and giggle at later (they are always hysterical and en...