We’ve seen this late-night skit too many times before: young Americans being asked simple questions about American history, United States civics, or current events. The people who are captured on camera are usually dumb-founded or give answers that make the audience and/or the questioner laugh (or cry). I used to think it had to be […]
Current Events in Education
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Opinion
Why Teachers MUST FIGHT Kim, Katy, & Kanye
We’ve seen this late-night skit too many times before: young Americans being asked simple questions about American history, United States civics, or current events. The people who are captured on camera are usually dumb-founded or give answers that make the audience and/or the questioner laugh (or cry). I used to think it had to be […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Opinion
Stop Censoring Our Classrooms
A staple of democratic society is the ability to civilly converse with those of like and unlike mind. At least, that’s the idea. These days politicians on both sides of the aisle rarely agree on anything, and their communication style is anything but civil. Viewpoints are dismissed with prejudice, and compromise is unattainable. While there […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Classroom Management, Current Events in Education, From the Front Lines
What Are We Teaching Teens About Making Excuses?
I get really tired of excuses. In fact, in my classroom when my 8th graders try to excuse their behavior, lack of homework, or unpreparedness I tell them kindly yet firmly, “Excuses are useless.” Initially quizzical looks form on their faces, and then they start to stammer…which is exactly when I interject my reasoning. […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Middle School, Social Justice, Social Studies
Haunting Film about Ellis Island
In 14 minutes, social studies and ELA educators can take advantage of a haunting new titled Ellis about the buildings on the island between New York and New Jersey. Ellis Island served as a United States immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954. The 2015 film is now available on Youtube and stars Robert De Niro. The setting […]
Posted inUncategorized
Why I Stay in the Teaching World
Written Anonymously for TER I didn’t go into teaching to change the world. In fact, I gravitated toward teaching because I wanted to read and talk about books for my job. I chose the profession simply because, as I sat in my English class senior year, I wanted to talk about 1984 and novels like it forever. […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Current Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines
The Hidden Emotional Labor of Teaching
It’s time for teachers to talk about our feelings Thursday morning I was called into a meeting unexpectedly and given the news that one of my students would probably not be returning to school this year. The news and the surrounding circumstances hit me with a wave of emotions. After discussing logistics such as how […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Current Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Teacher Branding
For the Teachers Who Don't Support Other Teachers
Every week in my inbox, I receive emails from teachers who are teetering on the edge of total breakdowns. Sometimes they’re stressed about their evaluations while other times they are stressed about the ever increasing workload being put on them, but more times than not, they’re in virtual tears because they cannot feed their families. Sometimes […]