From Melissa Kelly,
Your Guide to Secondary Education.
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A Special Valentine

I called my sister yesterday and interrupted her doing something I had long forgotten. She was calling a neighbor child who had lost her valentine list. My daughter is still a baby, and as a 12th grade teacher I forgot about those days in elementary school when we filled out valentines for each and every class member. As it should be, not a lot of school time is spent on Valentine's Day in middle and especially in high school. Cards, candy, and presents are taken care of outside of the classroom. Realizing this, I decided to send you my own version of a Valentine. Make sure you see the bottom - ways to pamper yourself! Happy V-Day! (And hey, you might even find a way to use some of this in class.)

History of Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine is actually associated with two Christians who were martyred under the Roman Empire. The saints were honored on February 14th. So what does this have to do with love and courtship? Nothing, except that this date also happened to coincide with a Roman festival called Lupercalia which included courtship rituals. As with many Christian holidays, as time passed the traditions merged. An interesting note, the feast day of St. Valentine is no longer part of the Roman Catholic church calendar. See Saint Valentine's Day for a more detailed history.

Romantic Couples of History

Sometimes we forget that history was made by people just like us with lives and loves just like us. History is strewn with many couples that have inspired young lovers to strive for new heights. I just wanted to honor a few with some great sites detailing their lives and times.

• Letter from Napoleon to Josephine in 1794
• Abelard and Heloise (Takes a moment to load)
• Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning
• King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson
• Royal Marriage Proposals

Shakespeare's Sonnets and other Poems

Just a sampling of great poetry to read and recite.

• Let Me Not to Marriage of True Minds Shakespeare
• Shakespeare's Sonnets
• How Do I Love Thee? E. Browning
• My Luve is like a red, red rose R. Burns
• She Walks in Beauty Lord Byron

Ways to Pamper Yourself

Take care of yourself today. Teaching is such a tough job, and only teachers can really appreciate that. Relax. Remember, you are making a difference, even if you don't feel that you are. One great thing is to try some breathing exercises. Find other great ideas to avoid stress and burnout at my Burnout and Stress Management Page. And finally make sure to get a good night's sleep. Get some help here at Sleep Resources for Educators. Finally, remember you're your own best friend. Respect yourself. And know that there's someone out there who thinks you're doing a great job!

Then, must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well.

~William Shakespeare, Othello