Lorianne has taught middle school ELA for over twenty years. I have taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grades at all levels. My favorite thing about middle school is the magic of watching people come into our building as children and come out grown! by: Lorianne Palinkas When you told me that my starting salary […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Echo of a Student’s Voice Pt. 1
Comparing education to business is taboo within the pedagogical workforce. Rebukes of disgust at the nerve of doing such a thing come into play when said comparison is made. Bear with me as I explore the similarities and how they can translate into classroom success. The customer is always right. This is a popular concept […]
Posted inBack to School
Nine Questions Every New Teacher Should Ask Themselves
You’ve started your first year, and it has been a whirlwind – but now what? Between the chaos of the school day, required training, and drop-in observations, you probably haven’t had much time to reflect or take a breath. Yet, reflection as a new teacher is one of our most excellent tools to improve our […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
8 Resources for National Fire Safety Week
The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA), the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ for 99 years, has announced “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety™” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week, October 6–12, 2024. Here are some resources to help educators in the classroom. Be a subscriber, click here for more free resources. FREE CROSSWORD […]
Posted inChild Development, Mental Health
Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom Part 1
“Billy, that is the umpteenth time you’ve gone to the pencil sharpener. You need to sit down and get to work!” The teacher is frustrated with Billy as he continues to get out of his seat to walk around the room to the pencil sharpener. And then she reflects on what she recently learned about […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Being ‘Just a Teacher’ is More Than Enough
“Have you ever thought about going into administration?” The irony in this compliment is that I find myself having to explain why choosing to stay in the classroom should not be seen as a type of “settling”. I am not the only teacher who has heard this at some point in their careers. It was […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Opinion: What Public Schools Can Learn From Private Schools
Students each wearing matching uniforms calmly making their way to classes. Classes full of well-behaved, eager-to-learn children. Or classes full of snobby, entitled students daring you to challenge them. The latter are some of the ideas – albeit – mostly wrong I’ve had about private schools in my hometown and in general. Last Spring, I […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Organic Diversity is Needed in Schools
People are like plants. They need the proper climate to grow, and no two plants share the exact same ideal for quality conditions. Students are the same in this individual need for a particular climate. Like an Aspen tree planted in the desert of Arizona, we should not expect students to flourish in environments that […]