All it takes is opening up social media, turning on the news, or checking the headlines to see a parade of opinions about opening up schools in the fall. Unfortunately, the opinion getting the most attention is that teachers should sit down, shut up, and get back in the classroom regardless of the circumstances of […]
Posted inPrincipals' Corner
Principals, Here’s What You Need to Do If You’re Being Forced to Reopen Your School Building
Reopening Schools during COVID19 COVID19 continues to change what was once healthy and safe. Infection numbers continue to grow along with the hope for a vaccine. Meanwhile, the question of the day is should we reopen schools despite the statistics. Some say yes, and others say no to reopening. Then you hear barking orders, “Open […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Learning to Love Our Country: The President is Wrong About Teachers
Guest Writer: Julie Letofsky Julie Letofsky has taught young children in Arizona public schools for 33 years. She writes often about the amazing things that occur as she works with children to become readers, writers, problem solvers, and decent people. She is a three-time National Board Certified Teacher, Early Childhood/Generalist. I love teaching social studies. […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
[Opinion] At Least I Didn’t Spill the Coffee: How Secretary Betsy DeVos’s Address to Educators Missed the Mark
The morning started well enough. One fried egg in coconut oil, a cup of hot Café Bustelo, and an open laptop. I was ready to make significant headway on my to-do list and get ahead of the work that quickly mounts when postponed. It was while plowing through my tasks that I saw Vice President […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Blame the Teachers: The White House is Delusional When it Comes to Reopening Schools
Yesterday, the U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy Devos and President Donald Trump took a bold stand against school closures. After conducting decision-making meetings that supposedly included educators, students, and parents from around the country, each leader made their announcement. Devos stressed the idea that schools needed to be “fully operational” in the fall. She did […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Everybody Has Lost Their Damn Mind Around the Reopening of Schools
As a teacher, I am expected in less than 16 days to leave my children at home and risk my life to teach high school math to a group of 150+ smiling (and sometimes snarky) 15 year-olds. I’m expected to accommodate students throughout the day in small groups, all while continually assessing their areas of […]
Posted inBack to School
Preparing to Teach in an Upside-down World
Preparing for this coming school year is a daunting task. This past spring was challenging. Many teachers were reminded just why we teach in the classroom, and not online. And while it may seem to be too early to be talking about back to school, I know I can’t be the only teacher who is […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Summer 2020 Self-Care Plans? How About Training Chickens?
I am not going to lie. 2020 broke me. I am sure you can relate. Adjusting to the seismic shift in life caused by the virus, the economic upheaval, and the significant attention paid to systemic racism has created a weariness. And what will the future hold? Teachers, planners by design, are being asked to […]