[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”] Last week, the Senate unveiled a proposed compromise on the issue of student loans. CNN Money reported the brokered deal, which is widely viewed as a short-term fix that kicks the can […]
How to Fix Education
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum
The Argument for Summer Vacation
A couple of mornings ago, I happened to be listening to the radio while a popular education pundit was being interviewed. After listening to him tout his own personal accolades and his ideas for educational reform, he said something that struck me. He claimed that at his school, he did things that were beneficial for the students, instead of the teachers in the building. He continued to brag that at his school, students attend during the summer and during the year they not only have extended day (every day of the week), but students come to school almost every Saturday for more content enrichment. As I listened I thought, “How can a […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education, Middle School, Parents, Special Education
Misunderstood: A Mother’s Plea to Educators About Asperger’s (Part III)
In parts one and two of this series, I shared the story of my almost twenty-year-old son and his struggles and successes as a young man with Asperger’s Syndrome. In addition, I offered teaching tips for educators from a parent’s point of view. In this final installment, I will share more suggestions of how to […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education, Literacy, Opinion
A Student Wants Grammar Brought Back in English Classrooms
As a high school student focusing on an education career and seeking opportunities to become a better writer, I have noticed something that disturbs me a little bit about our English classrooms. Actually, our classrooms in general. The first things that we are all taught as young children in school, are how to read and […]
Posted inFeatured, How to Fix Education, Opinion
When Teachers Need to Be More Than Teachers
Teaching in an inner city school has afforded me the opportunity to interact with many different types of students. All of these students have taught, and continue to teach me different life lessons on a daily basis. Sometimes what you learn about the students can be quite sad. When I first began teaching I was […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Throwing Each Other Under The Bus: Where has Mutual Teacher Support Gone?
School bus (noun) – (1) A bus that transports students from home to school, school to home, or school-sponsored events; (2) a typically yellow-colored vehicle designed to deliver students on their school-related travels; (3) a place under which teachers can throw one another. I’m often amazed at how often teachers commit to definition 3. Why? […]
Posted inFeatured, How to Fix Education, Legal
The First Amendment and Student Dress Codes
The implementation of student dress codes has increased over the past decade. The essence of the dress codes vary in reach. Some codes mandate specific uniforms, such as khaki or navy pants with a specific color polo or oxford shirt. Other codes ban specific items, such as flip-flops, midriffs, clothing with particular symbols, or clothing […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion, Principals' Corner
What Bothers Me About Public Schools
This article is published simultaneously with its partner article, “What Frustrates Me about Non-Public Schools.” As a teacher who will never say “I’ve seen or heard it all,” I have become disenchanted with public schools, especially in Oklahoma. I feel that our schools, overall, do a severe injustice to our students by not providing […]