Are you interested in presenting at our first annual conference? Can you recall the path that led you to become a teacher? Do you demonstrate your expertise and encourage fellow educators to do the same? If so, please head over to our “Call for Presenters” section and enter […]
Posted inBook Review, Featured
Student Centered Learning – With Technology! "Flip Your Classroom" – a Book Review
To buy Cari’s book that details her sudden unemployment, “How to Finish the Test When Your Pencil Breaks” please click here. Flip Your Classroom, by Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams Publishers: ISTE, ASCD, 2012 The flipped classroom is already a familiar model across the country, and the amount of teachers implementing it has grown exponentially […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion, School Improvement
32 Qualities of Effective Educators
I revisited my roots a bit this week by putting myself in a new teacher’s shoes and looking at the “Pennsylvania Standard Teaching Application.” On the very last page of the application, there are 3 essay choices. I was immediately drawn to one that asked, “What are the qualities of an effective educator?” I challenged […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Featured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
Why Do I Stay? I Stay to Share Stories
Why do I stay? This question is circulating on blogs and in videos by teachers from across the country. My friend Catherine, a teacher and literacy specialist, brought this question to my attention in her post this week. She was participating in a challenge organized by Two Writing Teachers called The Slice of Life. The instructions for participating are […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Instruction & Curriculum
Just Ask: A Survey Approach to Classroom Management
It is spring…well, according to the calendar. The news of snow from the local meteorologists and my students climbing the walls for well over a week finally put me over the proverbial edge. With six weeks of school still before us I knew I had to do SOMETHING to make a positive change. Who better […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Technology
How Technology is Misused in Classrooms
Years ago, the only real computer technology being used in schools was found in the computer lab, were rows of students would sit and learn how to manage files and type with some speed. In fact, computer classes at that time were optional. Students were allowed to decide whether or not they felt like […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teachers, Being Loyal May Cost You Your Professional Career
Yesterday in my staff meeting, we found out that the founder of my school was leaving the school to pursue other career opportunities within the district. He was obviously torn between his decision to stay at the school he founded but eventually opted to do what was best for him professionally. As he broke the […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School
Testing Time is Here in Physical Education Too!
Many Physical Educators are now in the midst of their physical fitness tests across the nation. Just like classroom teachers, we need to do a “pre” and “post” assessment in order to not only evaluate our students, but also our planning and classroom strategies used throughout the year. Part of the testing process has to […]