Ahhhh… the two weeks teachers wait for that never seem to get here fast enough. I was so ready to be done with 2018 I had a collection of white flags hidden in my desk that I found myself waving ever so slightly throughout that last week of school. So as I got off of […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
There are Thousands of Students Like Andrew Johnson Sitting in Our Schools
Dejected. Embarrassed. Defeated. Distraught. These are all the words that came to mind when I saw the video of Andrew Johnson, the wrestler from Buena High School in Atlantic County, New Jersey who was told by a referee with a history of racist behavior he had to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit his match during a meet […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Forget Allies and Advocates, I Needed an Activist
We (educators) like to think that we’re advocates for students. I’ve even been guilty myself of living in the nobleness of the word. However, as our current climate (societal and educational) continues to toil with inclusivity and what it means to be responsive to ALL, I grow impatient with our “nobleness.” Case in point, social […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teacher Attendance Does Matter, but I Still Unapologetically Take Days Off at My School
Yesterday, my fellow Indy K12 writer David McGuire Wrote, “Teacher Attendance Matters.” As a school principal, I know he is under pressure to ensure his students receive the best education. The heart of his piece was to emphasize how teacher absences can bring challenges to schools including student achievement. Teaching is one of the professions […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
It’s the Most Stressful Time of the Year- A Teacher’s Edition
It’s the most stressful time of the year With the kids tattle-telling And everyone yelling, “When will break be here?” It’s the most stressful time of the year. It’s the wack-wackiest season of all With those faux happy greetings and silly staff meetings When you have work to grade from fall It’s the wack-wackiest […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Fallacy of a Picture-Perfect Social Media Life – and Its Effects on Education… or Us All
I don’t remember the first time I heard the apocryphal story about Kyle, the nerdy 9th grader who evolved into the handsome, hunky senior who shares a moving story in his valedictorian address. Here he admitted that just 3 years ago he planned on taking his life because, well, he had enough with bullying of […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
“They Already Don’t Like Us.”
A fight breaks out near the gym entrance at the large, suburban high school where I teach. I see members of the Step Team that I advise walking from that direction and my heart sinks. I send up a quiet prayer. Please, don’t let one of my kids be involved. The upperclassmen on the team show […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The 10 Car Rider Commandments
When I attended school, I don’t remember that many kids being dropped off in a car. Most students rode the bus or walked to school. Today, some parents arrive at school at least thirty minutes before school starts or ends to transport their children to and from school. So many schools are old and were […]