Why don’t schools routinely tap their best teachers to organize and deliver custom-tailored professional development to their peers?This was the question posed by Nancy Flanagan regarding teacher professional development in an article titled , “Who’s Developing Whom?” posted in Education Week Teacher (1/28/2012).Well, in response to her question, I would like to suggest that she visit my school (virtually, […]
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Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Languages, Literacy, Social Studies
Whit's Lit Tips: The Tools of Rhetoric
One of the best reasons for teaching is watching students transform, empowered with skills and knowledge that they did not realize existed. Introducing students to studies of rhetoric and oration has never failed to capture the best in every student. The right combination of wit and wisdom can make every student a superhero. Who doesn’t […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
{Giveaway CLOSED} Win a Copy of "Keep the Fire Burning: Avoiding Teacher Burnout"
In our first book, “Keep the Fire Burning: Avoiding Teacher Burnout,” seven classroom teachers give an unparalleled look into their everyday life in the ‘pressure cooker’ known as a classroom. While some of the teachers survived tremendous pressures, others decided it was time to change what it means to them to work in education. […]
Posted inFeatured, How to Fix Education, Opinion, Uncategorized
Charters: They're not all KIPP
This is a cross-post from EdGator.com. Several recent articles deal with charter school applications that contain copied passages. Since one of the main tasks of a democratic education is to produce ethical leaders, I have a visceral reaction to questionable shortcuts, especially academic dishonesty like potential plagiarism, being employed in setting up a school. I […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
The Art of Storytelling
Life is a series of stories. By definition, a story is a chain of events. In both formal and informal education, storytelling is an excellent teaching strategy. Think about it – teaching English, History, Reading, Science, Social Studies, Art and even Math can be enhanced by the use of stories. We’ve all told them, whether […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Middle School
Teaching Through Trickery: A Snapshot of Theory vs. Reality
During my first year of teaching high school, I inherited a remedial reading class that consisted of about eighteen unmotivated juniors. Having just finished a graduate program in educational psychology with emphasis placed specifically on reading and literacy, I saw this as an opportunity to take all of those research-based best practices and make readers […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, Kindergarten, Opinion, Uncategorized
Education Reform- Nefarious Motives?
It’s easy to ascribe nefarious motives to those with whom we disagree. As I read headlines about school reform, I often find myself wondering if the reformers I am reading about are “white hat” reformers who truly care about the plight of poor children whose only hope for a better future will come through education, […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum
The State of The Classroom: Reflecting On This Year
“Let’s do what works and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind,” President Obama urged Americans in his State of the Union address Feb. 12, 2013. Each year our politicians take time to reflect on progress, change, and evaluate what needs to happen for America to grow and thrive. […]