Think that there’s a lot on the line for kids taking tests? Plenty of pressure? Stress? Difficulties? Mess? Welcome to New York City Public Schools, says writer, producer, and director Curtis Chin in his film Tested. His story line follows twelve 8th grade students who are wrangling over the decision to take the Specialized High School […]
High School
Posted inTechnology
Google Classroom Series Part 1: Why I Use It
I love the feel of paper in my hands. My husband has desperately been trying to convert me to the Kindle, but I keep buying more printed books. Yes, we’re running out of bookshelf space (but isn’t it every English teacher’s dream to own an in-home library?), and yes, digital copies are cheaper, but I […]
Posted inFeatured
Using Literature Circles with YA Historical Fiction
As English teachers, we are constantly told that “choice matters” and “choice gives students a voice.” Multiple experts (Kelly Gallagher, Penny Kittle, Donalyn Miller, Nancie Atwell, Harvey Daniels, just to name a few) have written multiple books and articles on the topic. But I think many teachers struggle with how to incorporate choice into a […]
Posted inHigh School, School Improvement
Power Hour: More Than Just Recess
Across the nation, schools are searching for methods to empower students, establish community, and prepare them for the real world. For some schools, the primary objective is to convince students to attend school, while other schools worry about over stressing their students. Power Hour, a school-wide “free” hour, allows students to take ownership over their […]
Posted inUncategorized
What Teachers Give Up
I am surrounded by brilliant minds every day, and while many of them are sitting in the desks in front of me, I cannot help, but be in awe of my coworkers. They are amazing. Teachers are a mixed and match collection of degrees including Bachelors, Masters, and PHDs. Most of them are parents. Some […]
Posted inChild Development, Current Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Middle School, New Teacher Bootcamp, School Improvement, Teacher Burnout
The Final Days of School
Charles Swindoll said, “Attitude is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, money, circumstances, than failures and success, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, ability or skill. It will make or break a business, a home, a friendship, an organization. The […]
Posted inUncategorized
Nine Tips for Education Majors and New Teachers
Dear new teacher, first-year teacher, education major, and everyone in between, Welcome to the world of teaching. We are excited you have chosen our profession. You must have had an amazing or several amazing teachers that inspired you to join our world. Make sure you tell them. We all need to hear that we made […]
Posted inHigh School, Social Justice
Ethics in Education… Do We Still Have Them?
James Comer said, “No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.” At a dinner party recently, some teacher friends and I were discussing inappropriate relationships between teachers and students. A non-teacher asked, “What’s going on between these teachers and students? How does THAT happen?” It piqued my curiosity; so I began to investigate the […]