In Alabama abstinence is the best form of birth control, except when it is not. Â Although the teenage pregnancy rate has dramatically decreased in the USA, Alabama remains a state where teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection are actually rising. Â [bctt tweet=”In Alabama abstinence is the best form of birth control, except when it […]
Child Development
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Your Students and Video Games: Adult Supervision Required
It’s important for students to be well-rested and prepared for each day of learning, but video games and excessive screen time can make getting that rest a challenge. It’s hard to avoid screen time these days. Cell phones and computers are ever more present in our daily routines. Some restaurants even take your order on […]
Posted inAdult Learning
Teaching With Minecraft EDU
I’m one of those crazies that actually enjoy professional development workshops, at least the ones that we don’t have to do every single year like blood-borne pathogens and diabetes.  Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the best professional development: Minecraft EDU. This session was based on the popular game Minecraft but with an educational […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education
Respect in the Classroom: Earned, Not Expected
There was a sub for one of my paras a couple of weeks ago and she set up shop in my classroom. We went through the day as usual, with her thoroughly enjoying her role after being out of the classroom for the past few years. At the end of the day, as I was […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Band-Aiding The Mental Health of Our Children
I deal with the most difficult of kids. In all of my years of teaching, I have been called The Pied Piper for Children’s Behavior and a Child Whisperer. But one thing that has never gotten easier is seeing seven, eight and nine-year-old children on medications that can eventually cause more harm than good. [bctt […]
Posted inChild Development
15 Things My 3-Year-Old Taught Me This Year
I just stayed home on a snow day, and I don’t know how I did it. Moreover, I don’t know how stay-at-home parents do it. Keeping up with a 3-year-old is exhausting. A trial of patience where you know you’re going to lose. And yet it is magical. For the last three years, I’ve been […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education
We Must Love Them
Wow. What a week. As a special education teacher, I love the challenges that come with my job. I deal mainly with children who have behavior struggles. My resource room is their, and their regular education teacher’s, safe haven. However, that doesn’t mean it’s MY safe haven. I spend the majority of my days trying […]
Posted inChild Development
“Teacher’s Kid Gets Suspended!”
“Teacher’s kid gets suspended.” Headline news in a small town. I drove down that country road fast. The principal informed me that I needed to get to school immediately. It was the end of a good teaching day, and I was happy to be returning home in time to get my kids to practice on […]