Being a new teacher is hard. You have to plan lessons, call parents, grade assignments, discipline students and somehow live your own life all within a 24 hour time frame. In the midst of all of your duties and responsibilities as a teacher it is routine practice that you have a team of people in the […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
Freedom on the Edge: Civic Education's Role in Preserving Democracy
This article starts a series of columns that will examine the importance of Civic Education for American students and a variety of ideas on how to teach Civics, even outside the Social Studies classroom. The General Election two weeks ago once again reminded Americans both of the thrill of democratic participation, and the frustration […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Current Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, How to Fix Education, Middle School, Opinion
Starting Your Own School: Life Is Full Of Choices – Part I
I stood at my stove angrily stirring corn and frying chicken. My dad was already over for dinner and sat flipping through the mail, patiently waiting for me to either self-combust or start ranting and raving to him. I couldn’t stand it anymore. [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=”” […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
Think, Thought, Thunk: Teaching and Encouraging Students to Think Creatively
If I were to ask you “What two days of the week begin with the letter T?,” what would you answer? If you said “Tuesday and Thursday,” then congratulations! You may now give yourself a pat on the back for being correct. But what if another person responded “today and tomorrow,” would that individual be […]
Posted inNew Teacher Bootcamp, Parents
From The Classroom to Home– Effective Strategies for Communicating With Parents
My children are the center of my world…my personal children. The three amazing and challenging creatures I gave birth to and live in my home. Often when talking with my mom and sharing stories she will say, “Oh, you were talking about your classroom, weren’t you?” There is a fine line. Our classroom kids are like our […]
Posted inStellar Educator of the Week
Kellie K. – Our Stellar Educator of the Week!
Name: Kellie K. School: Linden Academy, Flint, MI Years Teaching: 5-6 years Specialty: English Language Arts Congratulations to Kellie K., our Stellar Educator of the Week. Kellie was nominated by a colleague who shared with us her amazing skills and talents, and why she deserves recognition as a Stellar Educator: “Kellie is an amazing teacher! […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Middle School
Shall We Debate? An Approach to Writing!
Four weeks ago, my students took the practice for the new Tennessee State Writing Assessment. We had no way of preparing for this test because we were told that it would change in a major way. A week before the practice test, I received an email with a link to a sample test. Instead of […]
Posted inLegal, Uncategorized
Workplace Bullying in the School- When Is Enough..Enough?
Teachers are often the ones who must protect students from bullying. But, who is going to protect the teacher when he or she is being bullied? Unfortunately, workplace bullying or harassment is not a new phenomenon. There has been federal legislation prohibiting job discrimination since the 1960s. The unique thing about teacher bullying, however, is […]