The world of education is changing. Sounds cliché, but it is true. I am seeing that with my own eyes as I have watched my short 7-8 year career evolve from teaching in a traditional classroom with limited technology to now teaching through a virtual classroom. It is this changing world that has me fascinated […]
Posted inElementary School, Instruction & Curriculum
Experience Life in Your Classroom
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Tonight Monkey (my three-year-old) and I made muffins and brownies. We sang and laughed and he was so excited when I decided to put “cookies” in the banana muffins. I was […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
Going Against the Flow: Student Self Worth
I view my ‘job’ as an educator as so much more than just focusing on academics. So many times I act as nurse, counselor, mother and friend first, then teacher. Some of the most important skills that children will take with them through life extend far past reading, writing and arithmetic. I had the opportunity […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Opinion, Parents
What Is The Most Important Thing A Teacher Can Ever Do?
“To be endowed with a benevolent disposition, and to love others, will almost infallibly procure love and esteem; which is the chief circumstance in life, and facilitates every enterprise and undertaking; besides the satisfaction, which immediately results from it.” — David Hume, “Of Impudence and Modesty” My youngest daughter, Emma Kate, was born two months […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Professional Development
Sparking Class Discussions with One Simple Question
Guest Writer: Arpine Ovsepyan, M.A. “What did you learn in class today?” This is a simple question that helps open the door for thought-provoking classroom discussions, serves as a formative assessment, and provides closure to a lesson. For a little over two years, I have made the commitment to never end a class without asking […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Uncategorized
The Looking Glass of the School to Prison Pipeline: Why Reading Abilities Matter
“Mrs. Warren, I love you!” Andrew (one of my students) yelled as I gave him a high five after connecting the events to the story in A Lesson Before Dying and the trial of Troy Davis. The other kids laughed at his outburst, but we kept moving so that we could finish the discussion and […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Uncategorized
The Loneliness of the Post College New Teacher
“The weekends are the hardest.” a young, new coworker friend of mine said, “I think I’ll get another dog, it’s too lonely.” I remember reading somewhere that some of the loneliest people in the world are those of the newly graduated college student, and it seemed that my young, coworker friend was no different. It made sense […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Current Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Special Education
How to Apply for a DonorsChoose Grant (And Why You Should)
Less than two months ago, I applied for a grant at donorschoose.org out of pure desperation. I needed supplies for my classroom and I didn’t see any other way that would happen with the current budget crisis in effect. Where I’m at, the special education budget has hit on all-time low, so our resources are […]