Question #1– I’m a new teacher who happens to teach English to 6th graders in an urban school district. I’m overwhelmed with lesson planning, parent teacher conferences, delivering content that is interesting to the students, pacing them to finish novels and to “top it off” I don’t feel like I can ask for help because […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, Opinion, Uncategorized
Inexcusable Sympathies
There was a time when standing up for public school teachers in the United States was not merely acceptable behavior, it was actually the cultural norm. We gave our teachers accolades in the public arena, hoping that our efforts at demonstrating our united esteem might somehow make up for the low pay we afforded them. […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Special Education, Uncategorized
Inclusion, Not Always the Answer
I recently read an article in Education Week entitled Improving Special Education in Tough Times. With budgets being cut, especially to special education, the title sparked my interest. As I read, I found myself applauding many of the suggestions presented. But, there was one theme I found myself in total disagreement about, at least on […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Opinion, School Improvement, Uncategorized
The Educational Reformer's Orthodoxy
Joel Klein’s veracity was challenged–shredded might be a better word–in a recent article in The American Prospect. The best line in the piece was “Klein didn’t overcome demographic odds; he fulfilled them.” The powerful, eviscerating truth of this simple line erases every last vestige of credibility The Legend of Klein ever had. Michelle Rhee’s breathless […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Middle School, School Improvement
Procedures versus Concepts: A Mathematical Dilemma
There have been a lot of articles lately debating procedural teaching and concepts-based teaching in the classroom. As an elementary school teacher, this topic is of particular interest as mathematical reform models are sweeping through our curriculum. Whether you are a Common Core Standards state or, as in Virginia, simply “aligned” with Common Core, mathematical […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion, The Unemployed Teacher
The Unemployed Teacher: Why Do We Become Teachers?
This is my second school year (and 16th month) without a permanent teaching position. Like thousands of other out-of-work teachers, I spend many hours a week looking and applying for jobs. The world of unemployment is filled with extremely relentless efforts that produce very regular rejections. Sometimes you hit a job opening at just the […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Uncategorized
The Importance of Teacher-Student Conferences
By: Adrienne Lanier Recently, I had to take my son to the pediatrician for what I only knew as a stubborn, uncooperative ringworm. I had been treating the infection with what I knew best. Well, actually I started with my grandmother’s “tried and true” home remedy of bleach! Once I realized it wasn’t working, I […]
Posted inFine Arts, Instruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
If You Build It, They Will Come: How to Build a Successful Choir Program
By Anne Guess Part 1: Educate the Children Building a choir program from nothing is a daunting task. I am always amazed at the number of directors that leave floundering choir programs and play the blame game. Directors will blame everyone from the “untalented” student body, their administration that has it “out to get them”, […]