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Lisa Balka started the topic Perl and Krug in the forum Looking at Perl & Krug: due JUNE 15 (or earlier) 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Krug and Perl both address the lingering effects of the Holocaust on subsequent generations. How does one reconcile a past? One passage resonates within Perl’s piece as a student shares her response to Perl’s inquiry of “how [her students] cope with the knowledge of what happened [there]”. Margret responds: “How can we not teach our children…[Read more]

Lisa Balka started the topic in the forum Looking at Perl & Krug: due JUNE 15 (or earlier) 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Krug and Perl both address the lingering effects of the Holocaust on subsequent generations. How does one reconcile a past? One passage resonates within Perl’s piece as a student shares her response to Perl’s inquiry of “how [her students] cope with the knowledge of what happened [there]”. Margret responds: “How can we not teach our children…[Read more]

Lisa Balka started the topic "On Austrian Soil" in the forum On Austrian Soil 2023 Summer Seminar Responses: due MAY 30 5 months, 3 weeks ago

“On Austrian Soil” provides such key elements in regards to our profession, and rereading Sondra’s book seems even more relevant than last time. I wanted to address a passage from Thomas’ letter to Sondra:

“What happened fifty years ago is just inconceivable, but similar things are happening all over the world today. Will they continue to happen…[Read more]

Lisa Balka started the topic Response to "Belonging" in the forum Belonging 2023 Summer Seminar Responses: due JUNE 8 (or earlier) 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Hi there! I am so sorry for such late responses. I just ended my school year and immediately led a student leadership retreat. Just got home!!!

In regards to “Belonging”, what an incredible graphic memoir from a very inventive perspective from a unique voice I had not yet been exposed to. The title itself, so profound, focusing on this idea of…[Read more]

Lisa Balka replied to the topic (Belated!) Greetings from the Land of Enchantment —- Hola and Aloha! in the forum 2023 Summer Seminar Participant Introductions: due MAY 15 6 months, 1 week ago

So excited to finally meet in person!! Wow!! A challah baker!! That is incredible!! When we made our challah a few summers ago, I felt so accomplished. I had no idea I was with someone so experienced!!! My braiding was definitely a bit unimpressive, but it was just so beautiful! See you soon!!

Lisa Balka replied to the topic Hello from the marshes of Maryland's Eastern Shore! in the forum 2023 Summer Seminar Participant Introductions: due MAY 15 6 months, 1 week ago

Congrats to you! I am really looking forward to meeting you in person! (after all this time!!)

Lisa Balka started the topic Greetings from Southern California! in the forum 2023 Summer Seminar Participant Introductions: due MAY 15 6 months, 1 week ago

Greetings from Temecula, California (southern CA, about an hour from San Diego). My name is Lisa Balka, and I am beyond honored to work alongside each one of you throughout the upcoming year. I have been living in California since 2001, but I am originally from Indiana, and I will always consider myself a Midwestern girl. I am very blessed with my…[Read more]

Lisa Balka started the topic in the forum 2023 Summer Seminar Participant Introductions: due MAY 15 6 months, 1 week ago

Greetings from Temecula, California (southern CA, about an hour from San Diego). My name is Lisa Balka, and I am beyond honored to work alongside each one of you throughout the upcoming year. I am very blessed with my family of five. I married my high school sweetheart, and we will be celebrating our 32nd anniversary this July. We have a 26 year…[Read more]

Lisa Balka replied to the topic Who am I to create a “home place?” in the forum We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom – 2021 Summer Seminar Responses 2 years, 5 months ago

Hi Sandy,
I am feeling just like you in regards to your comment, “I regret not doing more explicit teaching about these topics…I’m thinking it’s time to stop worrying that these are political issues.” I have been making a concerted effort to include a wider array of authors to reflect the students in my class. I make sure we talk about who wri…[Read more]

Lisa Balka replied to the topic From school-skipper to skipper of the school. in the forum We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom – 2021 Summer Seminar Responses 2 years, 5 months ago

What an incredible success story, Leslie, as you live a life of giving back to the broken system you endured. You bring forth this idea of the “invisible” kid, the ones who continually go unnoticed. And although you were able to find yourself and give back, what happens to the majority of students who face such home life challenges and then have…[Read more]

Lisa Balka started the topic A Place Where We Matter in the forum We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom – 2021 Summer Seminar Responses 2 years, 6 months ago

School was a complicated place for me: a place that definitely defined me: a strong academic who was always obsessed with doing her best…with being her best. Yet school was also a place where I experienced by own personal battlefield, struggling with undiagnosed ADHD and anxiety disorder (rare identified mental disorders as a child of the 7…[Read more]

Lisa Balka replied to the topic Hello from Deb in the forum 2021 Summer Seminar Participant Introductions 3 years, 5 months ago

Hi Debra!
I am from Gratz, too!! I would have loved to have continued on with the PhD program, but with teaching, it would be just too much for me. What a wonderful program. I miss it so immensely. So excited to be a part of TOLI — a way of being back in the classroom. I look forward to meeting you in person next year! Take care!

Debra Smith replied 3 years, 5 months ago

Great to meet you, Lisa!
I’m so nervous about the PhD program. Everyone seems so accomplished and intelligent. I’m not sure I can write on a scholarly level, but I’m going to try:)
Deb

Lisa Balka replied to the topic Hello from Austin, TX! Michele Reed in the forum 2021 Summer Seminar Participant Introductions 3 years, 5 months ago

Hi Michelle! I am so excited to spend another summer with you!! Cannot wait to meet again in person next year!!

Lisa Balka started the topic Greetings from Lisa B!! in the forum 2021 Summer Seminar Participant Introductions 3 years, 5 months ago

Greetings from Temecula, California (southern CA, about an hour from San Diego). My name is Lisa Balka, and I am beyond honored to work alongside each one of you throughout the upcoming year. I have been living in California since 2001, but I am originally from Indiana, and I will always consider myself a Midwestern girl. I am very blessed with my…[Read more]

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