There was a time when standing up for public school teachers in the United States was not merely acceptable behavior, it was actually the cultural norm. We gave our teachers accolades in the public arena, hoping that our efforts at demonstrating our united esteem might somehow make up for the low pay we afforded them. […]
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Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Middle School, School Improvement
Procedures versus Concepts: A Mathematical Dilemma
There have been a lot of articles lately debating procedural teaching and concepts-based teaching in the classroom. As an elementary school teacher, this topic is of particular interest as mathematical reform models are sweeping through our curriculum. Whether you are a Common Core Standards state or, as in Virginia, simply “aligned” with Common Core, mathematical […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion, The Unemployed Teacher
The Unemployed Teacher: Why Do We Become Teachers?
This is my second school year (and 16th month) without a permanent teaching position. Like thousands of other out-of-work teachers, I spend many hours a week looking and applying for jobs. The world of unemployment is filled with extremely relentless efforts that produce very regular rejections. Sometimes you hit a job opening at just the […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education, Opinion, Uncategorized
The Bliss of Contextual Ignorance
I heard a famous school reform advocate–the kind of guy who says things like “Last time I checked there are no jobs for people who have a mean macaroni art game,” and “Failed schools must be closed and the children provided with vouchers so they can attend good schools”–tell a crowd once how proud he […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Uncategorized
The Mathematical Workshop Model: How Data, Differentiation, and Classroom Management Combine in an Elementary Classroom
We have all heard of various writing workshop models. Students working diligently on various stages of the writing process: pre-writing, drafting, revising, proofreading and publishing. But how can we incorporate similar structures in the math classroom? To some, this may not be new. Various levels of the math workshop model do exist and so I am […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Parents
{Ask a Teacher} A Parent is Ruining My Reputation!
Are you an educator or parent who has a burning question that only a “seasoned teacher” would know the answer to? If so, look no further than “Ask a Teacher”! Every week we highlight one reader’s question and answer it on our site. If you’d like your question answered email us at info@theeducatorsroom.com! Question: Three […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Stellar Educator of the Week
Do You Know a Stellar Educator? If So, Nominate Them!
So many times quality educators are ignored for the vast and important contributions to both and the classrooms and the schools in which they serve. In order to recognize all their contributions, The Educator’s Room is selecting one educator a week to highlight. In order to nominate an educator of your choice, please fill out […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Opinion, School Improvement, Uncategorized
The Pundit's Miseducation
If you want to find evidence that American schools are failing, your best bet is to look closely at the tortured logic and disingenuous argumentation issuing from today’s education reform movement. If these people were educated in American public schools, then it’s clear: we failed (miserably) to produce measured, ethical reasoners who rightly wield the […]