The public in general, and parents specifically, have been asking why current teachers are using such different methods to teach math. The comment most often heard goes something like this – “Why can’t teachers just teach math the way we learned math?” There are some very good reasons why the teaching of math has to […]
Jackie Parrish
I am a retired teacher who taught in middle school for 30 years. I have certifications in elementary education, reading, and math. I have spent most of my career teaching math to 7th and 8th graders in an urban setting. I have also presented staff development within my school and within my district. Although I am now retired I am still passionate about teaching math in ways that engage all students.
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Cultural Sensitivity – Being Tolerant, Teaching Tolerance
The highest result of education is tolerance. — Helen Keller As the demographics of the United States continues to change over the next several decades it becomes exceedingly important for teachers to become culturally sensitive to their students. Knowing the cultural backgrounds of your students will make communicating with parents easier. It will also make […]
Posted inFeatured, Instructional Strategies, Middle School, Uncategorized
What are We Testing? – PARCC and SBAC
The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) is running several commercials that air concerns of both parents and teachers about PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) standardized tests currently being administered in the state. Concerns include: middle school students getting only a half year of science and social studies in order […]
Posted inMathematics, Science
Celebrate Super Pi Day!
Saturday, March 14, 2015 is Super Pi Day, a once in 100 year event. Why Super Pi? Most people think of the mathematical Pi as 3.14 because that is what we use in mathematical calculations. Therefore March 14 is referred to as Pi day. This year there are two times during the day where a […]
Posted inInstructional Strategies, Mathematics, Middle School, Uncategorized
The Algebra Walk
The understanding of algebra is one of the keys to succeeding in higher level math courses. For this reason we must find a way to help more students become competent in algebra. I have mentioned in previous articles that I taught algebra to 8th graders in an urban middle school. I repeat it here so […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Opinion, Uncategorized
Standardized Testing Failure
First, a bit of history: Standardized tests began in the early 1900s as a way to determine intelligence. Those IQ tests were used to determine whether high school students should be on an academic track or a commercial track. Later they were be used by the military to determine who would be a good candidate for officer […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School, Middle School
Placing Highly Qualified Teachers
Every child deserves excellent teachers. For this reason I and a large number of my colleagues stayed together in a large urban middle school. All of us were not only properly certified and experts in our fields but we were involved in continuing education as well as being teacher leaders within our school and at […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Uncategorized
Urban Schools for Sale
There is a great deal of “education reform” going on in the United States today. In the name of reform the first targets are urban schools and districts. If you are not in one of those districts, you may have no idea of what a dangerous precedent is being set up or how it could […]