We’ve all heard the term before: Combat Pay. Preface Let me preface this by saying I am a strong believer that ALL students deserve a great educational experience with highly qualified teachers. I know of teachers who ONLY apply to inner-city schools because they know how much these students need teachers who care about them […]
Confessions of a Teacher
What are the confessions of a teacher? Read these articles and find out.
It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way: When I Knew To Look For Something New
I knew I wanted to be a teacher in my Junior year of high school. This goal drove every one of my academic moves. The strengths of Education programs rooted in my college search. I sought summer jobs and extra-curricular activities imitating teacher-like roles. My holiday breaks volunteering with teachers: grading, organizing, decorating, and planning. […]
Is Teaching Even About Teaching Anymore?
“Teaching isn’t even about teaching anymore.” When these words flowed from my fellow coworker’s mouth, I felt my heart skip a beat. She was absolutely right. Although I’m still considered a newbie in this game called teaching, I knew exactly what she was talking about. Teaching Has Become a Business From my limited view, I […]
It’s Time to Build A Shelf
Build That Shelf! Build That Shelf! Build That Shelf! Overwhelmed. Overworked. Help? Over the last few weeks, I’ve been completely overwhelmed. My new school district is way more demanding than any other district I’ve taught in, stateside and abroad. Not only are they more demanding, they also check, check, and double-check to make sure you’re […]
Opinion: Why Teachers Shouldn’t Write Curriculum
The word “curriculum,” as it pertains to education, can include everything from the materials used to teach our students to the planned learning experiences. If we think of the Common Core standards as the academic destination for our students (the “what” we want them to know and be able to do), our curriculum is the […]
Why Teachers Need A Summer Break
We hear it all the time. “Teaching is easy. You get the whole summer off! What are you complaining about?” Did you roll your eyes too? At this point, it should be obvious as to why teachers need a summer break. This summer, I began to see my summer vacation in a whole new light. […]
Three Changes to Make to Your Teacher Language This School Year
The way we speak to our students holds more power than we think. Our tone and word choice can either motivate our students or make them recoil in anger and frustration. The language we use can also be ineffective and won’t get us the desired results in our classroom. I realized I needed to work […]
Veteran Teachers Need Choice & Customized Professional Development
I completed 13 years as an educator when I wrapped up last school year. I don’t know exactly what year this took place, but at some point, I crossed over to being labeled a veteran educator. When you are considered a veteran educator, colleagues begin to view you as an expert in your craft and […]