Former SWHS Teacher Publishes Memoir: Dance Like a Wave of the Sea

A bright and curious student brought a controversial poem to David Olio’s senior English class ten years ago in 2015. David considered it a teachable moment, but the experience would change his teaching life as his decision to allow his class to read and examine the poem was rejected by his administrators. Despite a twenty-three-year career of joy-filled and discovery-driven teaching, South Windsor Public Schools moved to fire him, effectively ending his secondary teaching.

This is a memoir of David’s own learning and teaching life, animated by inquiry but stifled by a kind of censorship that would serve as harbinger for the twenty-first century confrontation educators currently face in the United States. His story includes a reflection on the silences prompted by cultural bias and anchored by institutional power. He harnesses writing itself in a heart-felt letter to his former eighty-six students about the joy of learning and the value of open, democratic conversation. Truly, the literary arts prompt us all, without fear or favor, to dance like waves of the sea.

Mr. Olio makes available a copy to any former student from 2015 who needs support to get one. Contact the author at david.olio.jr@dancelikeawaveofthesea.com.