It is Black History month. Some schools read a little quote in the morning from an African American author, some put on full programs, and others ignore it all together. One of the most terrifying things that could happen to this country is to forget where we come from. Black history is essential to understanding […]
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Posted inFeatured, Opinion
One Day: Imagine If You Could Teach But A Single Day
Imagine if you only had one day with your students: what would you say? What would you teach? Would you simply carry on as if tomorrow were as certain as a sunset, taking attendance, unwrapping lessons, following standards and grading exams? Or, more likely, are there things you want to tell your students that will […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School, Literacy, Middle School
American Teachers Work 11-14 % More, Testing Not Included
Yes, American teachers do work more hours than their international counterparts, but exactly how much more could be a matter of perception versus reality, and testing may be to blame. A recent study comparing the number of hours worked by American teachers shows the difference in instructional time is not as significant as has been publicized in the past. […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Writing Hacks for Grades 9-12
Teaching writing can be difficult, even for English teachers. Many of us set our focus on whatever test our state mandates, which causes us to neglect writing instruction for fear of “wasting” time. If our state includes a writing assessment, we will ignore cultivating a love for writing in favor of a more clinical approach. […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Enough is Enough: How to Know When to Pack it Up & Take a Break
“Are you working, Mommy?” my son asks me when I pull out my laptop. The crate that sits beside the couch has become my mobile office–full of papers to grade, books, data collection, and lesson plan ideas. My routine every weeknight has become this: stay at work until five-thirty, say goodnight to the cleaning lady […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School, Literacy, Opinion
The Queasy Mix on Social Media
I uploaded videos of my mother and her sisters to YouTube. Seated together on a sunny summer afternoon, four of seven sisters, they chat about family recipes and stories of their youth. I shared the clip this past summer on the popular video platform so my cousins could also enjoy watching their mothers and aunts. Now, I […]
Posted inFeatured, Fine Arts, Middle School, Series, The International Teacher
The International Teacher: Constructionists, Iterations, Flow in my Classroom
Do not cite deep magic to me…I was there when it was written.” (Chronicles of Narnia); By Melissa Kandido Melissa Kandido teaches IB Art, IB History, IB English, & IB Geography for middle and upper grades at the Windhoek International School in Windhoek, Namibia. She is sharing with us her experiences and adventures this year […]
Posted inFeatured, Professional Development
New Teacher Support Systems: They Need Them!
Teaching is hard work, but the rewards are infinite. And for brand new teachers fresh out of college, those rewards seem really far away. We have colleges that are designed to teach teachers how to “teach,” but it is not until a person actually enters the classroom alone, can the true education begin. As our […]