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Colin Phelan is a history teacher, outdoors educator, poet, and travel writer who has published many pieces of writing, much of which is available on this website. Colin's book project The Local School is being published in winter 2022 by Blue Confluence Press, a publishing company based in the greater Boston area. See details below!
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A Small Tweak That Could Go a Long Way: “Students give a test; teachers take a class.”
During my time teaching at Dexter Southfield, the visionary leader of the upper school frequently said, “Teachers don’t give students...
Colin Phelan
2 min read
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Revisiting "The Coffeehouse" One Year Later
As we continue to grapple with and reel from the global pandemic, the world and its people seem to have entered a new era. Many global...
Colin Phelan
4 min read
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The Local School - Teaser Location Number Two
The Local School Teaser Location Number Two During my time in India I researched in the National Archives of India, patching together the...
Colin Phelan
3 min read
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The Local School - Teaser Location Number One
After Bajju delivered a few beaming salutations, we walked northward up the makeshift, winding path through protruding brush, not much...
Colin Phelan
2 min read
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The Local School - Coming soon
I am proud to announce that within the next few months I will be publishing a book which I've titled “The Local School.” I've been...
Colin Phelan
1 min read
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Out and Backs
Peacham, VT Out and backs Often stigmatized in the trekking Or walking worlds As some say: Why would anyone want to Walk the same path...
Colin Phelan
2 min read
71
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In Desperate Need Of: A Coffeehouse
If interested in hearing audio file, please click on Spotify icon found on home page We need: A coffeehouse To: my generation, and the...
Colin Phelan
2 min read
134
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From Chaturanga to Chess: Successful Cultural Transmission? Or Lost in Translation?
ST. LOUIS --- Still somewhat new to St. Louis after brief, unsuccessful stays in both New York and Miami, The World Chess Hall of Fame...
Colin Phelan
17 min read
574
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RT: A Tryst With Death: Mother Nature in the Great Sand Dunes National Park
Note: If interested in reading other writing from this specific road trip, please go to ‘Travel Writing’ tab and click any title that...
Colin Phelan
12 min read
261
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Zion NP: Lamb? Iodine? Whiskey? COVID-19? Burger King?
When I returned to the Las Vegas McCarran airport from the Zion Wilderness just 200 miles to the northeast, I broke down. Unlike early...
Colin Phelan
18 min read
177
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RT: West Through Dwindled Prairie-lands; Herbert Hoover; Finding Wattles and Buffett in Omaha, NE
Note: If interested in reading other writing from this specific road trip, please go to ‘Travel Writing’ tab and click any title that...
Colin Phelan
9 min read
62
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RT: West Across PA; Frank Lloyd; The Phoenix-like Comeback of the Windy City and Its Buildings
Note: If interested in reading other writing from this specific road trip, please go to ‘Travel Writing’ tab and click any title that...
Colin Phelan
9 min read
14
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RT Preface
Note: If interested in reading other writing from this specific road trip, please go to ‘Travel Writing’ tab and click any title that...
Colin Phelan
3 min read
19
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Finding Home: A forced excursion in sensitization (August, 2019)
One humid morning this summer I closed my eyes, listened to Kolkata’s sounds, and jot down this poem which I’ve since titled, “Kolkata’s...
Colin Phelan
7 min read
100
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As Found in Allston, MA - S&I Thai
Three small tables, humbly nestled inside an atrium, wedged between the larger, in my opinion overwhelmingly huge markets of Brighton...
Colin Phelan
7 min read
19
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Ever see this guy in Boston Common? - The Professor World Band plays more than just catchy music...
BOSTON, March 2020 – Perched-up in either the Boston Commons or one of Boston’s T-stops for most weekends of the year, Dan Friedman...
Colin Phelan
10 min read
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In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote
Did Truman Capote invent 'Narrative Journalism?'
Colin Phelan
4 min read
322
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Sundays in Boston
Sundays in Boston Are all the things that are Sunday in Boston Making mom proud through protocol: Grab myself a charlie card, A bill - in...
Colin Phelan
1 min read
53
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Mudras
“Why are you so interested in this?” Asks a Chinese man After I explain to him my desire To slip under the ropes And see the Gandharan...
Colin Phelan
1 min read
14
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Blue House on Corey Road Pt. 2 - Summer 2019
I hadn’t forgotten about you. I vow to visit you once a month Until Boston and I go Our separate ways. I don’t know if you’ve been passed...
Colin Phelan
1 min read
14
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Finding Courage?
A naive boy alone in India. I take my first steps Outside the "resort" And I don’t know if this here dog Is going to bite me. I have been...
Colin Phelan
1 min read
19
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Complements
I gave her my order, She gave me a quarter, I gave her a “thank you” She gave me my coffee. I turned, to my right - clockwise, Grabbed a...
Colin Phelan
1 min read
16
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St. Patricks Day
We celebrate St. Patricks day In the United States. When I say “we,” I mean most people, Including those Not of Irish ancestry. Isn’t it...
Colin Phelan
1 min read
10
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The Blue House on Corey Road - Spring 2018
The Blue House on Corey Street. Allston, Mass. I wonder who lives in there. I wonder what their story is. I walk a little further, I walk...
Colin Phelan
1 min read
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