Summer break is running out for many school districts around the county, and teachers are slowly starting to get back into planning mode. For secondary ELA teachers, that means digging out the short stories they will be teaching this year. Many teachers use short stories to teach Reading standards with the idea that students can […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inInstructional Strategies
Getting Students to Write (Part 1)
Getting students to write can be difficult. For students who don’t like writing, being confronted with a lengthy writing task will turn down the will and up the resistance quick. Think about it: they are uncomfortable for a reason. Who knows why: unsure of their skills, confused by the task, maybe just uninterested in that […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Are You a Broke-Down Teacher?
This year, I’ll be teaching at a brand new school, in a brand new county, in a brand new state, and in a brand new country. I’m full of anxiety, excitement, and the usual question of “Can I really do this?” When I interviewed for the position, I asked the normal questions to find out […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Why Your School Doesn’t Need to Adopt a “Social-Emotional Curriculum”
Curriculum adoption is a persistent conversation education. Schools and districts continuously evaluate new programs and texts to best support teaching and learning. School districts adopt curriculums often on a predetermined, cyclical timeline. Veterans teaching the same grade levels or subject areas for decades are learning new practices and methods, regardless of their history of student […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
A Letter to My New Student
To my new favorite student, Although I enjoyed my #TERSchoolFreeSummer, words can’t describe how I feel about meeting you and getting to know you this year. I want you to know that things won’t always be perfect. I won’t always be nice and bubbly. Sometimes, you may get the sour side, like a Sour Patch […]
Posted inProfessional Development
Veteran Teachers Need Choice & Customized Professional Development
I completed 13 years as an educator when I wrapped up last school year. I don’t know exactly what year this took place, but at some point, I crossed over to being labeled a veteran educator. When you are considered a veteran educator, colleagues begin to view you as an expert in your craft and […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Boutique Schools Of Our Future
This past week I spent a few days at Northeastern University for a doctoral residency in the program I’m currently studying under. Part of this experience was spending a day interacting with the NExT community: A group of schools dedicated to Innovation and experiential learning as part of their mission. I learned about programs such […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
“SHOCKING STUDY: 40% of Modern Men & Women Are Unhappy. Here’s How Teachers Can Help”
Western men and women aren’t very happy with their lives. In fact, four out of ten adults regret the lives they have lived thus far. I’ll admit, I typically read these research papers and polling surveys with pronounced skepticism. Modern westerners often possess a hypochondriac disposition, forever focusing on what is lacking in life instead […]