Dear J,

"A complicated, intricate  combination of paths  in which it is difficult to find one's way' :  the definition of labyrinth...and, more and more, a defining characteristic  of teaching.

Our calling, as educators within the public schools,  has  become as much about navigating across a sea of paperwork as about being present in the moment, with the children, with the learning at hand.

What's that all about?

I listen to the swirling eddies of conversation at meetings and in the hallways. Everyone has stacks of papers to be filled out, forms to be filed, rubrics and commentaries we must complete,  to use as documentation for this or that.

Yes.  Documentation for all sorts of things  is clearly needed, and often quite helpful in spotting patterns which might not otherwise be revealed.

But, S,  I fear the paperwork has become a dragging anchor rather than a ballast providing  stability.

I suppose the next question is, what gets jettisoned in order to keep us all afloat?