Imagine you have a student who every time they get upset they decide to engage in some negative behavior that totally disrupts your class? Whether the behavior is yelling or banging their head on the desk, there’s an obvious need for a different approach to working with students who come to school with a myriad […]
Lee-Ann Meredith
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao Tzu Lee-Ann Meredith is a second grade teacher, author, Department Chairperson and education advocate who has spent the duration of her time in public education at John B. Murphy Elementary School in inner city Chicago. Often characterized as funny, dynamic, and an independent innovator, Lee-Ann cites her idol as Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. Fluent in a wide range in instructional strategies for the elementary level, Lee-Ann is dedicated to being an advocate for children everywhere by implementing 'cutting edge' strategies to increase student achievement. Some of the issues that she spearhead included: promoting literacy throughout the building, leading community meetings to advocate for full day kindergarten for all students and helping implement the Responsive Classroom strategies throughout the school. In addition to working closely with the curriculum, she also had the honor to supervise (and mentor into teaching positions) numerous student teachers and practicum students from various post-secondary institutions around the Chicago area such as: Erikson Institute, National Louis, DePaul. Northeaster Illinois, Roosevelt, and North Park Universities.
Why We Should Teach Meditation in the Classroom
I took a writing class a few years ago with a famous author. We would write for ten minutes then meditate for ten minutes. The process was repeated at least a dozen times over the weekend. I had a little meditation practice but nothing routine. The author was a Zen Buddhist and she talked us […]
Strike!
On September 28, the Chicago Teachers Union voted to go on strike on October 11 if no deal has been reached with the Chicago Public Schools. This is no surprise. The Chicago teachers have been without a contract for over a year. What is surprising is that 95% of the Chicago Teachers Union membership of […]
Teaching a Superpower
“I am going to teach you a super power.” I said this to over twenty classes last week, from first through seventh grades. I am covering for an art and music teacher on leave for the next several weeks. I certainly can cover the art portion without any trouble. I can sing, so we will […]
Essentially, I am a Teacher
I have been a dedicated teacher most of my life. It wasn’t until I was nearly 40 that I got paid to be in a classroom. I landed on my professional teaching feet in second grade room, my dream grade, at the school I wanted, with my mentor next door. It was a fantasy turned […]
A Chicago Teacher's Dream
The system I work in, Chicago Public Schools, is in trouble. I realize that Chicago’s education problems need a book to explain, not an article, but I will attempt to summarize it. The governor of Illinois, Bruce Rauner, wants CPS to declare bankruptcy. The mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, says “No-no-no!” but he has done […]
A Career in Crisis
I recently made a major life decision. Instead of returning to the classroom as a teacher, I am selling my nice condo in a glam neighborhood to move into something in a safe but less expensive neighborhood. I left the classroom three years ago to write a book and pursue other avenues. I had thought […]
Classroom Community and Rock-Paper-Scisssors
“When it is time to walk the dog, my kids do rock-paper-scissors.” This was a Facebook message posted by the mom of three of my former students. Several of her friends commented on how nice it was that they knew how to negotiate and not fight. I just laughed. It is a treat to see […]