I work in a fairly affluent district. The majority of my students come from parents with college degrees and are homeowners in our community. The town has passed school bonds based on property taxes to fund the ‘extras’ in our districts, such as art programs, sports and an additional period for kids to take electives. […]
From the Front Lines
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
When Life Happens While You Teach
We’ve all been there as educators; trying to teach, coach, supervise, or sponsor school events while life inside and outside of the school comes at you full force. Recently my daughter got married. She decided to get married in September, of all times. She is also a teacher, so I really had a hard time […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines
The Petri Dish Is Real: Staying Healthy During the School Year
Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, conducted a 2008 study regarding the germiest jobs in America – and the worst offender was not a sanitation worker, a doctor, or a bank teller – though they all ranked in the top 10. The germiest job in America is that of a teacher. […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines
Pulling Back the Curtain: The Realities of Teaching
“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain,” stammered The Great and Powerful Oz upon his discovery in 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. Oz ran the dream city as an ordinary man, yet was seen as all-powerful by his city. But when the curtain was pulled back the real conversations began. Teachers today do more […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion, Uncategorized
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? The Math and Reading Versions
In school math was a subject I approached with trepidation. I usually was the last kid in class asking my teacher to check my problems so that I could continue my homework when I was at home. Here at The Educator’s Room, we’ve written about math instruction intensively especially with the introduction of new tests based […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Opinion, Uncategorized
Finding your Happiness in the Classroom
We started school a few weeks ago and I am still getting to know my students. I teach at a small school, around 400 students, so I know faces and names before they come into my classroom. The students know me as well, even before they enter my classroom. You develop a reputation outside of […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, High School, Instructional Strategies, Literacy
Maybe the Film Credits Are the Best Lesson
Twice this summer, I found myself thinking that maybe educators are not taking advantage on how we could show films in class. We seldom, if ever, show the film’s credits. Perhaps the lack of attention to film credits is because there is not enough time already for what many educators might consider a passive activity […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Special Education, Uncategorized
Why I Fled Special Ed (and How to Fix It)
At the end of last year, I had had enough of my job. After eight years as an expert Special Education teacher, I felt that I could no longer do my job and stay sane. I wanted out! I knew from previous experiences that, despite my certifications and work history, I would not easily get […]