“What are you supposed to be doing right now?” I crossed my arms and cocked my head to look at a group of girls gathered on the rug. I was working with a small group. The girls froze. Then with a flurry, they went back to desks to work independently on their reading contracts. That […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Middle School, Opinion, Principals' Corner
Looking Back on a Terrible Week: Teachers Killed in the Line of Duty
We end this week mourning the violent deaths of two teachers at the hands of their students. The two incidents occurred in different states and involved different weapons. But both incidents were horribly sudden, violent and currently, without known motive. Friday should be the day we review the triumphs and the celebrations of the week […]
Posted inFeatured, The New Teacher Chronicles
The New Teacher's Survival Guide: Planning Meaningful Lessons
Welcome to The new Teacher’s Survival Guide! This is part three of a five-part series. Start from the beginning with part one, here. [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”] Every Friday, I ask my students to […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Say No to Columbus Day And Yes to Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 14th was Columbus Day this year. I remember that as an elementary student in the late 80s/ early 90s, we would do little projects about Columbus and his ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. My parents have a drawing my younger sister did in 2nd grade of Columbus showing the new […]
Posted inFeatured, Interviews
The Veterans of Education Matter
Last night I was flipping through old photo albums, reminiscing about my first years in teaching which seem so sunny and bright. I know that I have gained efficiency, patience and organization since I first began. Yet forced changes in education have me questioning my confidence and expertise. Change insinuates that everything I have been […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, High School
Trick or Treat! Tolerance in Public Schools
Halloween. That holiday that some teacher simultaneously dread and look forward to. Some schools make a big deal of Halloween with parades and costumes of any kind. Some schools make restrictions on costumes and allow only positive and happy costumes like princesses and baseball players. Other schools try to keep it academic by only allowing […]
Posted inFeatured, Middle School, Opinion
Why I Resigned From My Teaching Job: It's Not What You Think
Some, if not many of you are tired. Exhausted beyond all measure. Brand new to the field of education or a veteran teacher, you are frustrated, overwhelmed, spread so dangerously thin, perhaps full of doubts and wondering just how effective you are. I get it. I really do. Let me tell you my story. Last […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Teaching and Modeling Persistence: Setting Goals
Goal: noun; the object of a person’s ambition or effort. Aim: verb; having the intention of achieving. [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”] If we don’t aim for goals, we may end up where we don’t want […]