Every day in life you make decisions. Some of them are made in haste, quickly, in a split second. Some decisions are thought out and planned and discussed. Sometimes we eventually see results or the effects of decisions. Many times, however, we never know what effect a decision has had on anyone. We decide, react, […]
Featured
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Uncategorized
Snow Day Blues
Today is a snow day at my school, and I’m happy about that because I like to think and write. I love my job, and I love being around kids, but a snow day gives me a chance to stop and wonder. There isn’t enough time for wondering when you’re working, unless you’re better at […]
Posted inFeatured
The Joy of Student Teachers
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Most years, I had at least one student teacher in my second grade classroom. One of the joys of teaching in a large school system that student teachers come abound if […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Opinion, School Improvement
Despite What You Have Heard: American Students are Not 'Falling Behind'
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] This week saw the publication of the PISA scores – the Programme for International Student Assessment, conducted every three years by the OECD (the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development) – which […]
Posted inCommon Core, Current Events in Education, Featured, Opinion
The Common Core – Finding a New, Common Path
Embattled Secretary of State Arne Duncan recently dealt with renewed policy blowback after he made a backhand comment about parents who were opposed to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). He told a gathering of state superintendents that white suburban mothers are complaining suddenly because “their child isn’t as brilliant as they thought they were, […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Coach Files, Uncategorized
Adventures in Coaching- Learning When to Shut Up
Working as an Instructional Coach is a delicate balance of learning how to balance being a coach who frequently talks teachers “off the ledge” and not losing your teaching credibility. On one hand you’re still a teacher because many times you find yourself in classrooms helping a teacher with a particular lesson, but other times […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion, Uncategorized
Testing Pressure Should Not Define Young Lives
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Consider this test question given to children in September of their Second Grade year in Chicago Public Schools two years ago: A boy has to read a book that is 162 […]
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Expanding Your Teaching Circle: Networking
The Educator’s Room was started on the basis that we, the educators, are the experts. It is true. We are in the field every day. We implement the strategies, research, curriculum, and methods with our students. Teachers around the nation and world are the experts about what works with kids. So who better to have […]