I have been engrossed in Ancient Roman history – not just the early Caesars with Tacitus, but with the Early Republic. And in reading, you can see the parallels between those leaders and administrators. Probably one of the best leaders – I should clarify, selfless leaders were Cincinnatus, the Roman Dictator (which should be noted […]
High School
Posted inHigh School
Gratitude Tour: Diane Haertel
As mentioned in my tribute to Bishop Joel Konzen, I learned of an English position at Marist School in Dunwoody, GA, in 1982, after teaching one year in the DeKalb County School system. It would mark a turning point of sorts for me. I attended public schools my entire life. My first two teaching positions […]
Posted inElementary School
Teaching with Ring-Things: Planning Beyond the Lesson Plan
I was doing potty patrol outside in the hallway in deference to my smoke allergy, when a kid came up to me and shoved into my hand a pair of those metal rings that magicians take apart and put back together. They sort of look like twisted polished nails. He bet me I couldn’t get […]
Posted inHigh School
Investing in Student Social Emotional Health: A High School’s SEL Story
High school can be a very stressful time in a student’s life. Academic stress, social anxieties, and the journey to discover who they are as individuals can result in a perfect storm that leaves students feeling overwhelmed and ill-equipped to navigate these challenges. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) can equip students with the tools to flourish […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education
Restroom Etiquette for Employees at a Public or Private School
Restroom etiquette at a public (or private) school. We don’t discuss the issue enough. But we should, as it directly affects every gainfully-employed educator. Regardless of what type of school you work at, or what your school’s restroom situation is, there is likely a bit of intra-staff strife about proper conduct in the communal loo. […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Active Learning: Nothing Can Stop The Flow!
We’ve all been there. That moment when you’re completely absorbed in the experience. You’re in active learning- the zone. You’re somehow calm, focused, and intense all at the same time. You’re like Scrooge at the end of A Christmas Carol, “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I […]
Posted inSocial Justice
Understanding Ramadan: A Classroom Teacher’s Guide
This year at the end of February, approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide will be observing the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar, which begins the morning after sighting the last sliver of a crescent moon before a new moon and lasts for 30 days. The observance of […]
Posted inBack to School
Using Thrity Umrigar’s novels to tackle summer reading apathy
One way I suggest engaging eleventh and twelfth-grade readers — especially for summer reading assignments — involves assigning modern novels outside of the traditional canon. Two books by Thrity Umrigar, The Space Between Us (2005) and Honor (2022) created a high level of engagement in my AP English Literature students at the onset of the […]