The Color of Pickle
by | Feb 27, 2006 8:49 am | Comments (1)
The Independent’s schoolteacher diarist meets up with Brinn — at work, over dinner, and in a classroom for expelled students. Will she come back?
Gina Coggio
A Poem for the Wall
by | Feb 21, 2006 8:16 am | Comments (0)
It’s back to waitressing at Roomba for the Independent’s schoolteacher diarist. Meanwhile, the kids have hopes for connecting with their Woodbridge counterparts about slavery; and Jelisha makes Ms. Coggio’s day — twice.
The 5 Who Changed My Life
by | Feb 10, 2006 9:46 am | Comments (3)
At the end of a marking period, the Independent’s schoolteacher diarist pays tribute to the teachers who showed her the way.
Culture Clash
by | Feb 6, 2006 2:50 pm | Comments (0)
The Independent’s schoolteacher diarist wrestles with what to say to a parent who punishes a child with beatings.
Gift Cards
by | Jan 26, 2006 11:25 am | Comments (2)
The Independent’s schoolteacher diarist meets up with a favorite student who’s been expelled, and they head over to Barnes & Noble.
Letter From the Road
by | Jan 25, 2006 8:27 am | Comments (1)
Jan. 25, 2006
Dear Man Who Flipped Me Off This Morning at the Corner of Putnam and Whitney Avenues:
Thank you for starting off my day on a positive and cheerful note. Your hand gesture brought happiness to my heart and fond memories of childhood in Vermont, spending time with loved ones. You are clearly a loving, giving, and caring person, and it’s my hope that your progeny will grow up to be just like you. I wish the world were filled with compassionate people; and indeed, as I enter the classroom every day, I hope to form my 120 students into model citizens such as yourself. On so many days, my morning is filled with self-doubt and negativity; your action this morning was refreshingly upbeat, and, I would argue, life-changing. I’d like to return the favor. Please let me know when it would best suit your schedule.
Sincerely,
Gina Coggio
Post-Mortem Exhale
by | Jan 24, 2006 8:48 am | Comments (2)
After the visitors leave, the Independent’s schoolteacher diarist reviews what went right and what could have gone better in a long-awaited performance.
Motherhood Looms, Ready or Not
by | Jan 13, 2006 8:35 am | Comments (5)
One of the Independent schoolteacher/ diarist’s students is pregnant. She’s failing almost everything, can barely write an essay, has gotten into fights — and now she’s going to be a mother?!
Oh Happy Day
by | Jan 9, 2006 11:09 am | Comments (4)
Now the Independent’s schoolteacher/ diarist’s students are like rice. That turns out to be a good thing.
Brinn’s Gone for Good
by | Jan 5, 2006 10:52 am | Comments (5)
An ongoing beef heats up, a favorite student gets expelled, and the Independent’s teacher/ diarist wonders whether she’s working in a school or a “pseudo juvenile detention center.”
Brinn’s Bracelets
by | Dec 20, 2005 3:06 pm | Comments (4)
A student got arrested in the Independent schoolteacher/ diarist’s classroom on Tuesday.
Tookie’s Fate Revisited
by | Dec 14, 2005 11:39 am | Comments (7)
Students wore colors to school and talked about gangs and redemption with the Independent’s teacher/ diarist after the execution of Crips leader Stanley “Tookie” Williams (pictured).
Today is Searching Day
by | Dec 7, 2005 11:33 am | Comments (3)
No matter how she tries, the Independent’s schoolteacher- diarist can’t get her students to do homework.
“Would You Like Dessert?” Redux
by | Nov 30, 2005 10:26 am | Comments (0)
The Independent’s schoolteacher /diarist returns to waiting tables on the side, and reads her own eulogy aloud in class.
One of the Girls, for a Night
by | Nov 27, 2005 12:44 pm | Comments (0)
With trepidation, the Independent’s schoolteacher/ diarist goes to a bachelorette party.
Brinn Says Good-Bye
by | Nov 21, 2005 12:59 pm | Comments (0)
The Independent’s schoolteacher/ diarist finds the job takes her to a funeral — a funeral like none she’s seen before.
No Teacher, No Cry
by | Nov 18, 2005 8:12 am | Comments (0)
Advice from a friend, and a trip back in time, help the Independent’s schoolteacher- diarist hold back the tears when a student needs her to be strong.
Brinn’s Mom
by | Nov 15, 2005 10:05 am | Comments (0)
Nov. 15, 2005
Brinn’s mom died. On Saturday. The funeral is on Friday. Brinn doesn’t want anyone to know. I’m having a hard time trying to write anything about this right now. All the words I want to say are just in my head, and it’s not easy to try and pull them out.
Going Home
by | Nov 11, 2005 9:18 am | Comments (0)
Nov. 10, 2005
I am finally going home. The last time I went home was at some point in July, and before that it was for a couple of days during December break last year. Working at the restaurant, I wasn’t able to take any extended vacations or to go home on the weekends. So now that I’ve had more time, I’m taking advantage of it. Thanks to Veterans’ Day, I get to see my mom.
“Miss” Gets Mad
by | Oct 27, 2005 9:21 am | Comments (12)
On the eve of a display of her students’ personal vignettes, the Independent’s schoolteacher – diarist decides there are limits to how much she’ll take.
Smile—You’re Jamming!
by | Oct 24, 2005 9:31 am | Comments (1)
From a student’s recital, to bluegrass and jazz in the Ninth Square, the Independent’s diarist/ teacher emerges from a music-filled weekend with new thoughts about the work life.
Good Vibrations
by | Oct 19, 2005 1:41 pm | Comments (0)
“Coggio, do you go to Gotham?” From a student’s question, insight into how fast kids are growing up. And from an old friend’s parting words at a party, reflections on finding a home.
Beware: Potted Plants
by | Oct 13, 2005 9:18 pm | Comments (0)
News flash: the Independent’s schoolteacher-by-day, waitress-by-night diarist gave notice at the restaurant. Will her old friends still notice her? Or will she become like the potted plant her friend walked into at Au Bon Pain?
No Para Ti
by | Oct 5, 2005 2:00 am | Comments (1)
Word to the wise: If you mess with the tips of the New Haven Independent’s teacher-by-day, waitress-by-night diarist, don’t think you’re going to get her phone number. Instead, you’re going to end up starring in her online diary.
I’m Not Brave
by | Sep 27, 2005 7:49 am | Comments (4)
For the billionth time, one of her customers exclaimed “Wow, you’re brave!” when Gina Coggio told her she teaches New Haven public school kids. That prompted an early-autumn moment of clarity for the Independent’s teacher-by-day, waitress-by-night diarist.