each section is based on the oxford english dictionary’s word of the day from september, 2020.
i. delibation, n.
dim empty classroom desks shoved together chairs stacked you’re alone in here
ii. situla, n.
yawn walk brew sit meeting in fifteen minutes you need to wake up
iii. smack talk, n.
a grid of faces nodding and mumbling about low expectations
iv. chin-stroking, n.
should you say something they all seem to agree maybe you don’t know
v. bird colonel, n.
your principal closes with encouraging words a hurricane’s eye
vi. croquembouche, n.
mailbox run before first class a stack of cans along the top it might not be so bad
vii. wallyball, n.
first live lesson camera chat emails lecture ricochet endlessly
viii. coze, v.
office chair swivels does not move away from the desk vines around your legs
ix. dep, n.
you try to build bridges with students made of pixels something’s lagging
x. ruby murray, n.
in your eye’s corner relics from previous students convoluted contexts
xi. walklet, n.
passing period mask up stretch your legs in the hall see only ghosts
xii. pronoid, n.
no laughs after your jokes all thirty-eight students muted you’re sure you’re funny though
xiii. sea-puss, n.
your eyes strain head aches dim your screens close the blinds blink slow fight against the current
xiv. gypit, adj.
you cover your desk with toys you name and talk to stave off loneliness
xv. yat, n.
use abbreviations codes other learning tools make something together
xvi. chritophany, n.
look into the ceiling a smile there says you’re doing great maybe just seeing things
xvii. dulciloquy, n.
afternoon classes with faces tired anxious sad help them feel welcome
xviii. cannet, n.
last class ends you sit first time in what feels like days lump of exhausted flesh
xix. transitarium, n.
fight sleep need to plan figure out how to help your kids sketch diverging scaffolds
xx. ambidexterity, n.
talk chat help assess teacher counselor tech support you wear so many hats
xxi. rooked, adj.
cover your walls with your students's artwork it’s their house too
xxii. headwark, n.
temples in a c-clamp eyes gripped in wool mittens too much screen time
xiii. pupil-monger, n.
wake up the next day ready to try it all again always getting better
xxiv. kibitz, v.
a tech issue try turning it off then back on a rote response
xxv. nutual, adj.
you blank on a word wave your arms to convey its meaning somehow they get it
xxvi. titanolatry, n.
think before you speak they’ll remember how they felt here don’t be that white guy
xxvii. adimplete, v.
log in see hundreds of messages in your inbox monday morning
xxviii. antennation, n.
sit for an hour grade respond delete archive reach them as best you can
xxix. arr, int.
spirit week hat day make do with what you have take pride in your work
xxx. ruderal, adj. and n.
this year isn’t what you thought it to be dig your roots deep
M. Espinosa 