“We have noticed our child is not reading near the amount of books he read last year,” a set of parents commented at conferences. “He still has a passion for reading and he reads at home, but we are not getting new books as often.” This same student loves Tuesday in my classroom. Tuesday is […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Teacher Branding
{The Educator's Room Annual Conference} Call For Proposals Now Open!
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 your proposal for our first conference in […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Literacy, Social Studies, The Unemployed Teacher
High Schools Need Dr. Seuss Time
Normally March 2nd would pass without notice but this year I am embracing the 109th birthday celebration of Dr. Seuss in my high school classroom. Seuss is ageless and timeless. Many elementary school teachers and children’s librarians have embraced Read Across America’s promotion of “grab your hat and read with the cat” but high schools […]
Posted inFeatured, Uncategorized
The Persistence of Inequity
This is a cross-post from EdGator.com. [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”] In or around 2007, leaders in my state attempted to respond to an unfavorable Supreme Court decision by revamping how they financed schools. Being a […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, Principals' Corner
Who's Developing Whom? Success with Do It Yourself Professional Development
Why don’t schools routinely tap their best teachers to organize and deliver custom-tailored professional development to their peers?This was the question posed by Nancy Flanagan regarding teacher professional development in an article titled , “Who’s Developing Whom?” posted in Education Week Teacher (1/28/2012).Well, in response to her question, I would like to suggest that she visit my school (virtually, […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Languages, Literacy, Social Studies
Whit's Lit Tips: The Tools of Rhetoric
One of the best reasons for teaching is watching students transform, empowered with skills and knowledge that they did not realize existed. Introducing students to studies of rhetoric and oration has never failed to capture the best in every student. The right combination of wit and wisdom can make every student a superhero. Who doesn’t […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
{Giveaway CLOSED} Win a Copy of "Keep the Fire Burning: Avoiding Teacher Burnout"
In our first book, “Keep the Fire Burning: Avoiding Teacher Burnout,” seven classroom teachers give an unparalleled look into their everyday life in the ‘pressure cooker’ known as a classroom. While some of the teachers survived tremendous pressures, others decided it was time to change what it means to them to work in education. […]
Posted inFeatured, How to Fix Education, Opinion, Uncategorized
Charters: They're not all KIPP
This is a cross-post from EdGator.com. Several recent articles deal with charter school applications that contain copied passages. Since one of the main tasks of a democratic education is to produce ethical leaders, I have a visceral reaction to questionable shortcuts, especially academic dishonesty like potential plagiarism, being employed in setting up a school. I […]