Flash Fiction Friday
Mother's Day & Teacher Appreciation Week Edition
Happy Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Week!
I may be in the middle of submitting finals for the second year of my PhD program in Education for Social Justice, but I am remembering to stop and smell the roses, as my friend Dr. Ann Gladys recently said. At the time of writing this post, I am twenty-five pages into one of my final essays, which is a synthesis of the qualitative research I have performed through the last two semesters. I’m playing with my theory and my qualitative method of narrative inquiry, and honestly, having a nerdy-blast.
The second essay I have to finish is on an educational policy. This one came together quickly and now it’s just a matter of editing and submitting.
Teacher Appreciation Week
TEACHERS!
YOU ARE AMAZING!
You are the stewards of other peoples’ children. It’s an enormous deal, a calling, a blessing or a curse, but you show up for your students so they show up for you.
We may never know who we impact or to what extent, but we make a difference in the lives of our students every single day.
Keep going. Your restorative summer break is just ahead!
This is an insane season in the school where I teach. Our entire student population is navigating preparations for the major show we produce, showcasing the dance, drama, musical, and theatrical skills our students have been developing all year long. My students are also preparing for and taking AP tests, while counting down the days until summer break.
I can’t blame them.
I’m with them.
And not because I want this chapter with them to end, I’m just looking forward to all of the time I’ll have to write fiction! Granted, I am looking for summer employment, as one who teaches must, but hoping I’ll have a little time to dedicate days to this craft that I love.
(If you’re a teacher who doesn’t have to work over summer break, you get an extra cheer!)
In last week’s edition, I mentioned that I would be reviewing Luke Dumas’ book, Nothing Tastes as Good, but with the insanity of the last few days, I have not been able to type up my notes, so I will reconfigure once my finals are done (almost there!) and make-good on this promise next week.
Hold me to it!
Flash Fiction Friday Fun
In the last installment of Flash Fiction Friday, quite a few authors played long! Here’s some more cheers to the following writers and to anyone I missed, please let me know in the comments below!
Thank you all for your amazing stories. I am always in awe of the beautiful crafts you create based on one or two prompts. It truly demonstrates the creative artists that live inside you!
Pick a prompt, pick both, pick neither - the point here is to write. To create a schedule where you know these posts are a-coming and that they are ready for you whenever you are able. Please feel free to share your short fiction piece directly in the comments below OR leave a link for us to follow back to your Substack post. The goal is to help you establish a routine of writing AND for others to follow along on your journeys.
PROMPT 1 - With Mother’s day in mind: The big day is here.
OR
PROMPT 2 - With Teacher’s Appreciation week in mind: A square, unmarked present is left on your teacher’s desk.
While I am a mother of dragons who wear the guises of cats, I am going with prompt number 2. Though I have over four years of fodder to pull from, the following IS a work of fiction.
“It’s Alive Inside,” a 100 word drabble, by Sarah Faxon
A croak escaped from the box.
Through the shimmering paper, tape, and tinsel, the sound sang loud and clear.
I set my laptop down on my desk.
The box sat perched upon my pile of papers without a card or a name. In my classroom, no name on assignments meant no grade, but for presents, should the thought be the same?
I set my coffee-filled thermos to the side. If this thing spilled my coffee, there would be no more light in its eyes.
I cracked the box open.
It leaped!
I screamed.
Here’s to the beginning of teacher appreciation week.
©Sarah Faxon 2026
For the record, I have not received a frog.
But I would love to.
🐸
I have only ever received very sweet gifts from my students and their parents. I am very grateful to the kindness they return to me.
And now the ball is in your court! I hope you have some fun with these!
To the mothers, here’s to you, dears. We teachers may be the stewards of your little ones, but you’re the souls who brought them into this world and/or who shower them with unconditional love. No matter how your family is composed or how young or old your little ones are, happy Mother’s day to you 💐. I hope you have a beautiful weekend ahead!
Take care and cheers, dears!
-Sarah
We have a coffee truck coming today.
Two nice prompt ideas.
I have to figure it out.
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother’s Day.
https://jamesjensen2.substack.com/p/whats-in-the-box