Story

Before you Read
The following story was based on Alice in Wonderland. As you read the story,
please consider the following:
• Going down the rabbit hole is my beginning my teacher leadership journey
with Lastinger. It was a rite of passage for me as an educator. A journey
into exploring the new and unknown world of “Wonderland.”
• Wonderland is everything I discovered through Lastinger. Where I
learned that anything is possible. Where I fostered a connection with
fellow passionate educators, gained knowledge educational policy and law,
deeper understandings of pedagogy and philosophies, deeper
understanding of equitable practices. Wonderland is somewhat of an
unknown world, but I find me way through anyway.
• The White Rabbit represents new concepts and opportunities. He
represents the notion of complete and total teacher enlightenment and
liberation.
• “Drink Me” bottle and “Eat Me” cake refers to the unpredictable events
that I encountered as a teacher fellow. It refers to little things in my
inquiry constantly adding up and becoming big things only to learn how to
tame them and be normal again.
• Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum represent legislation, policy, district
initiatives that can be confusing, contradictory, condescending, and
obscure.
• The Queen of Hearts represents the power found in administration,
districts, and states. The power and authority to force you to do certain
things whether in the best interest of the students or not. In addition, the
power to punish you (off with their heads!). The Queen is untamable,
unreasonable, moody, and daunting.