[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] We’ve all seen those long lists of activities to give a class as an alternative assessment. You read through the list, for example on a site like TeachHub, you pick out […]
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.
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, From the Front Lines, Uncategorized
The Tough Kid
Sometimes it happens at the beginning of the year. Or one January or May morning, the disembodied voice on the intercom announces you have a new student coming up to join your class. Then, there he is. That child, is usually a boy, stands at the door, assessing the class. You send up a silent […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Uncategorized
Sandy Hook Remembered
The news is full of the anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012. The news is full of what hasn’t changed. True, some safety measures have been put in place. Some school districts have armed teachers, hired more security, or added mental health services. Many, […]
Posted inFeatured
The Joy of Student Teachers
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Most years, I had at least one student teacher in my second grade classroom. One of the joys of teaching in a large school system that student teachers come abound if […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion, Uncategorized
Testing Pressure Should Not Define Young Lives
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Consider this test question given to children in September of their Second Grade year in Chicago Public Schools two years ago: A boy has to read a book that is 162 […]
Posted inClassroom Management
Avoiding Holiday Hoopla
In the past, as my class lined up at the door every morning between Thanksgiving and winter break, I used to remind them to “check Christmas at the door.” Sometimes, especially when it was snowing or the week before break, I’d take a storage bin and told them to drop all the Christmas excitement in […]
Posted inBook Review, Featured, Opinion
"Reign of Error" – A Book Review
I’ve been hearing teachers rave about Diane Ravitch for a couple years now. As usual, I was a little late getting on the bus. Then I heard an interview with her about the Chicago Teachers Union’s strike last year and I was intrigued. I picked up her new book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Uncategorized
Diane Ravitch Defends Teachers on the Daily Show
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Diane Ravitch was a guest of Jon Stewart on the October 30 Daily Show. She appeared for a ten minute interview to discuss her new book, Reign of Error: the Hoax […]