Writing Across the Curriculum — with a Twist
Several years ago, my principal asked all staff to incorporate more writing across the curriculum—and in a twist, she invited us to write a short fairy tale to reflect on our journey as educators.
Meet Lolli, from the Land of Red
So I wrote about Lolli, a quiet, thoughtful little girl in the Land of Red who dreamed of becoming a teacher. Lolli wasn’t loud or flashy. She didn’t always fit in. But she had a fierce love for learning, a mind full of questions, and a deep desire to make a difference.
“This wasn’t fiction. It was a reflection of my life, my dreams, and my voice.”
More Than a Story — A Need We All Share
Lolli in the Land of Red was about more than teaching.
It was about what we all need:
To be seen.
To be known.
To be remembered for how we made others feel.
I’m sharing that story here—not because it’s polished or perfect—but because it still speaks to where I am and what I believe:
Teaching isn’t about performing. It’s about presence.
It’s about making the kind of impact that lasts beyond the moment.
It’s about helping every student—and every educator—feel seen.
Lolli in the Land of Red
Once upon a time in the beautiful Land of Red, a little girl named Lolli sat in the back of a classroom dreaming of becoming a teacher. Lolli was always very quiet because she was constantly thinking—thinking about how things should be, how things could be, and how she could change the world living in the tiny town in the Land of Red.
Lolli did not have a lot of friends because she was always thinking. Some of the others thought she was stuck up, some thought she was odd, and others just didn’t notice her. But Lolli was okay because she loved to be alone with her thoughts and dreams.
When Lolli walked home from school each day, she pretended that her life was a movie. Lolli collected items along the way to take to her imaginary students in her classroom. Lolli always had to be kind, compassionate, and loving to her students because her life was a movie and everyone was always watching. Always watching to see how she was teaching. Always watching to see how she treated her students. Always watching.
As Lolli grew, she continued to dream and plan her life as a teacher. But Lolli’s mother did not want Lolli to become a teacher. Lolli’s mom wanted her to have a more respectable career like her brothers, the dentist and the banker. Because Lolli loved her mom and did not want to disappoint, she went to the Land of the Red University to study dentistry. Lolli even passed her exams to enter dental school, but Lolli was so sad. Lolli realized she had to follow her dream.
Many years passed and Lolli was now in the Land of Bears and continued to teach school. Then one year, something strange happened. Some of the students were offered the freedom to learn from home on a computer instead of going into a classroom. Lolli became their teacher. She was so afraid that her students would not connect to each other on a computer. She was afraid that she may not be able to reach her students. But mostly, she was afraid she could not provide the education they each deserved. But Lolli was excited. Lolli was able to dream again. Dream of how things could be. Dream of how things should be. Dream and Think.
Lolli began to feel like her life was a movie for all to see again. Every word, every comment, every expression was recorded and broadcast. Every person in every home could watch. Every person could hear the words Lolli used to speak to her students. Every person could see Lolli’s face and read how she felt about her students. Every person in every home could listen and they would know. They would know Lolli.
Lolli is beginning a new year with new students, but all in the classroom. Lolli will not forget the lessons she learned. Lolli wants this to be the best year ever and she knows that if she continues to live in the movie it can be. The movie reminds Lolli how important it is to be mindful of every word, every action, and every interaction. Lolli has decided to include others in her movie — not just her students — but all of those she sees daily.
Lolli still thinks and dreams. She dreams of how things could be. She dreams of how things should be. She dreams of being seen.
A Reminder for This Season
In this season of education—where things feel heavy, fast, and uncertain—I go back to Lolli. I go back to the idea that each word, each interaction, each connection we make has the power to shape lives.
So whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or someone who just needed a little fairy tale today, I hope Lolli reminds you of this:
You matter.
Your story matters.
And someone out there is still dreaming of being seen.
