One day, while waiting for the lunch bell to dismiss them, a few students gathered around my desk to converse with each other; they had just finished taking their notes. Their conversation turned toward their experiences with different teachers. As they were airing grievances or defending their favorite teachers (I was merely a bystander at […]
Current Events in Education
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Current Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
What Am I Thankful For? A Damn Good Public Education
When people ask what one another are thankful for, there are a variety of great answers. Family, is notably and rightfully among the top answers. Many people are thankful for their friends who’ve helped give them guidance. Others are thankful for a home and a place to lie their head, or the food that’s on […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Opinion
The Magical Solution Illusion: How Everyone Has “The Answer” to Education
A new week, a new theory about what ails America’s educational system. America’s education system is broken. Haven’t you heard? If you haven’t, it was on the cover of Time Magazine a few weeks back. It seems teachers win tenure too fast in this country, and the unions are more interested in protecting its membership […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School, Middle School, Opinion
Can Success Be Taught in Middle School?
By Guest Writer: Holly Winter When asking a class of middle school students to write about success, one girl wrote: “My mother was successful at smoking crack and my father was successful at getting himself murdered.” Her statements bring the ideas of success into focus. This student isn’t in jail, on drugs, and she doesn’t have a group […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Educational Apps, Featured, Special Education, Technology
iPhones in the Classroom are Game Changers
Dyslexic Students Becoming Independent with Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and Mac Devices Imagine constantly being presented with the printed word and not able to read it. Imagine being in class listening to the teacher, actively participating in class discussions, but then the teacher hands out a worksheet that you can’t read. Imagine the frustration of knowing […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Opinion, Uncategorized
Manifestation Meetings: Have You Experienced One?
I recently had a crash course in what is called ‘Manifestation Determination’ or ‘Manifestation Meetings’. I had never heard of these until this week. Now mind you, I am by no means a special education teacher, nor do I claim to know much about all of the forms and paperwork that these saints endure. I […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Opinion
It's Not a Rotten Education: Response to TIME Magazine
I have taught in elementary classrooms for 19 years. Every day, every hour, ever minute, every second, decisions are made that impact someone’s future. This job is difficult, strenuous, stressful and the best job in the world. Teachers across the nation give their times, talents, money and whole selves to their students and families. It […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Professional Development, Teacher Branding
Teacher Branding Advice for School Districts: Make Your Teachers Happy
Once upon a time in a land far, far away, I worked in a district where the majority of teachers were unhappy-unhappy to the point of downright disgust. Almost every employee I saw walk into a school building there was a smirk followed by a frown and immediately followed up with a collective eye roll. Teachers […]