The teaching world felt like it was under my fingertips. At 22 years old, walking into my first classroom as a third-grade teacher, I was certain I had everything I needed to help my students succeed. I had passion, training, and high expectations. I had read the statistics about teacher burnout and high attrition rates […]
Confessions of a Teacher
What are the confessions of a teacher? Read these articles and find out.
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
I Thought Using Lysol Was Against the Hague Convention
It was Monday. As usual, we were sitting in the conference room. The room overlooked the football field. Kids hopped the fence and cut through the graveyard behind the school. I sipped my coffee and smirked. I wondered why a boy and a girl were going to the graveyard so early. Smoking? Vaping? Then the […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
Introduction to Gratitude Tour: An educator’s journey in retirement
In my final years of a career I’d not planned and sometimes questioned, multiple events led me to think about how very grateful I was for past Heads of School, colleagues, students and even high school friends who’d carved out a career in teaching. In the spring of 2024, I was wrapping up my 26th […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
The evolution of teaching in American Schools
“How dare you count my child absent?” “Why did you grab my child by the face?” “My four-year-old daughter says her teacher pushed her down. What are you going to do about it?” “That teacher called my son names in class.” “You’re not a fit.” Welcome to the daily accusations aimed at educators across the […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
The Philadelphia Eagles game that taught the teacher
Ned O’Malley lived for two things: teaching and Sunday football, specifically the Philadelphia Eagles. Monday through Friday, he was “Mr. O’Malley,” the energetic social studies teacher at Franklin Middle School in the suburbs of Philadelphia. But come Sunday, he transformed into “Coach Ned,” the ultimate Eagles fan. Every week started the same way. Monday mornings, […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
RIF: The hidden cost of teacher reductions in students
“Gutted.” “Devastated.” “Abandoned.” These words, written in emails from my former students, express their feelings toward the news that my contract would not be renewed after ten years of service to the students and families in my community. I found myself “riffed,” a colloquial term for a reduction in force, or RIF–a storm that we […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
Tacos over Summer Professional Training
As a history teacher at Holland High School, I take pride in being organized, reliable, and a bit Type A. Throughout the year, I meticulously plan my lessons, activities, and everything else that I have going on while teaching high school students. I have spent the last 180 days giving 100% of my time to […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
ATA: A Teacher Asks… My Principal Betrayed Me…
A teacher asks… Am I being a butthole? Let me explain. For the past two years, I’ve looped with my students, first from 1st grade to second grade and then to third grade. My principal promised I’d follow them through 5th grade. On the last day of school, he called me into the office and […]