Who wants to rewrite curriculum this summer? (Anyone? Anyone?…..) Let’s be honest. Writing or rewriting curriculum is a ongoing process that, while necessary, is not always seen as the most positive experience. Moreover, the suggestion of spending summer days writing curriculum (paid or unpaid) may trigger range of emotions, some strangely akin to the model offered by Swiss psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book, On […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, Technology
Take Your Apps Outside
I grew up in the 80’s with Atari, pong, and floppy discs. I learned to code on a computer that actually took a tape. I love technology and even though I have been in the classroom for 19 years I try to stay current. There is something about “old school” though. Holding a book in […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Current Events in Education, Elementary School, Kindergarten, School Improvement
6 Ridiculously Refreshing Summer Relaxation Tips for Teachers
The end of the year has finally come and you just finished dancing in the hallway with the other teachers while playing “Celebrate Good Times” on your cell phone. The halls look empty without students and your classroom is nearly cleaned out. You’re so used to stress that you don’t know what to do with […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Languages
Tips for Choosing a Novel to Study
Teaching literature can be rewarding. Sadly, it’s an activity that can fall by the wayside as teachers weigh other standards, but it need not to for the sake of our society. Already very few students in their early teens read daily as cited by Nancie Atwell. While we cannot ensure that our students read every […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Uncategorized
A Letter To Educator's Friends & Family
Dear Spouse, Child, Parent, Grandparent, Family Member, Friend, and / or Neighbor, I wanted to thank you. Thank you for allowing us to borrow this awesome member of our community. They have a difficult job. They know that. I know that. I’m sure they’ve told you about it. The challenges. The frustrations. The students. The […]
Posted inFeatured, Professional Development
What Salsa and Storytelling Taught Me about Teaching
About five months ago I took my wife on a date to a salsa dancing class. I like to dance at weddings or parties, but I would never list dancing as a hobby and certainly not a skill. But there I was, because of a deep love for my wife and a willingness to try […]
Posted inFeatured
Why Teachers Stay…
There are plenty of reasons to leave the teaching profession, but there has to be a reason we stay, right? Every teacher has different reasons for staying, and they are very personal. Some of us have several reasons and some of us only have one. Many people forget that we are human. We need compassion and […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Special Education, Uncategorized
6 Ways to Rekindle Your Love for Teaching
If you’re a teacher you know that the saying that “those that can’t do teach” is a complete falsehood. Teaching entails more than just providing instruction, especially if you’re a special education teacher. The pressure to make better test scores while creating content that appeals to multiple intelligences while providing 21st century skills and writing Individual Education […]