After the holiday break, my students entered the classroom well-rested and eager to discuss current events. I had jokingly declared that we would start a war after the break, with the understanding before the events of the assassination of the Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani, that the war we would “start” would be world war one. […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teachers Are Professionals
“This Friday all teachers can wear jeans! Just donate $1 for our Sunshine Club and wear your school shirts!” While I was excited to FINALLY be able to ‘dress down’ something bugged me around the premise of having to pay to dress comfortably.No matter how perturbed I was, I had 30 children to get ready […]
Posted inOpinion
Restorative Practices, Exhausting Teachers
Restorative Practices (RP) is the new darling of education circles. As its goal, RP seeks to interrupt and halt the school-to-prison pipeline while helping students overcome and cope with trauma. To do this, RP relies on developing relationships with students which enables them to reflect on and repair the harm they have caused. RP’s […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Financial Refresh for Teachers
If you’re anything like me, you don’t really enjoy talking about finances. You may often avoid the subject altogether. You realize that you’re not getting your ideal pay, and you may not be using your money wisely. There are a lot of factors involved in less than ideal financial decision making. Here at The Educators […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
It’s Time to Rethink Your School’s “Holiday” Celebrations
According to a 2016 Gallup study almost 8 in 10 Americans identify with a religion. Approximately three-quarters of Americans identify as Christian. The largest group after Christians are those who identify as secular or non-religious. I am someone who doesn’t fall into either of the largest categories. I am a Jewish American. And as a […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines
“Why Didn’t Anyone Help Me?” The Truth Behind Abused Teachers Who Took Matters Into Their Own Hands
When the articles pop up on my timeline, I’m quick to click the link to each and every article that looks or sounds like this: “Teacher assaults student” “Educator and student fights” “Teacher fired after brawl with student” What I find to be interesting is that many, if not all of the teachers involved in […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Teaching High School In December: A Three-Point Survival Guide
For high school students, the month of December has lost its luster. There is no belief in Santa, and the elf is missing from its shelf. Replacing the holiday excitement is a mature appreciation of scarcity and disparity. Adolescents are a blend of intellect and naivety. Their eyes are opening to a world that they […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
All Of The Good Teachers Have Already Quit…Or Are Thinking About It
Good Teachers: “Ms. Greer, we need to take your planning period today. We have a class of students in In-School Suspension (ISS) who need coverage for their third period. I know you had a webinar scheduled for our upcoming unit on parallelograms, but you can watch that at home. We need all ‘hands’ on deck, […]