“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. […]
From the Front Lines
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education, Opinion, Principals' Corner, Uncategorized
Circling the Wagons in Educational Reform
This is a cross-post from EdGator.com Several recent headlines have to do with the just-released MetLife Survey of the American Teacher. Reformers like Eduwonk are desperately trying to dissemble that the survey doesn’t hint strongly at the hostility of reform policies that are making tons of teachers love their jobs less and less. (Value-added ratings […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum
Classroom Activity Breaks – Reap the Benefits!
Research continues to show that activity breaks in the classroom can lead to improved focus and performance by our students. As a Physical Educator, I get tickled when a classroom teacher drops off their students and says, “Run them! They are WILD today!” This happens more frequently during the winter months when recess time and […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Uncategorized
Education on The Chopping Block: How Sequestration Will Impact Teachers
The news out of Washington hasn’t been very appealing this Congressional session, and many may have lost interest since the Fiscal Cliff was avoided in January. However, this Friday another self-inflicted deadline looms, and with Congress showing no sign of willingness to come to the table to resolve the problem, it’s time to pay attention. […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
We Believe: An Open Letter on Behalf of Every Teacher
Many Americans live in an era where their jobs present new daily challenges: so many of us are expected to do more with less; others feel underpaid and overworked, while many wish the government would get out of their profession. We take heat when we don’t perform, and we go home soured by the work […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Stellar Educator of the Week
Tara R. – Our Stellar Educator of the Week!
[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”] Name: Tara R. School: Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD Years Teaching: 10+ years Specialty: Elementary Education Congratulations to Tara R., our Stellar Educator of the Week! Tara […]
Posted inCommon Core, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, Literacy, Uncategorized
English Teachers Should Have More than a Footnote
The English Language Arts Common Core State Standards (CCSS) wants students to read in every discipline from elementary school through grade 12. The standards demand an increase in the reading of informational texts, the genre formally known as non-fiction. So where is the passage that concludes that English/Language Arts teachers will continue to teach fiction and literary non-fiction […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum
Fighting the Fear of Failure
[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 past week, the Smithsonian Education Lab’s #mpossible Twitter chat focused on how we as educators can get students to follow their passions. While the conversation hovered around having strong educators […]