Growing up, I remember learning about Benjamin Franklin explaining life’s assurances: “…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” He was explaining to a French pen pal that the American experiment was as raw as it was unpredictable. The Constitution and our fledgling country were trees in the desert, […]
Opinion
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Here We Go Again–Another Year of State Testing
High stakes testing is a common discussion within education today. There are teachers who are willing to risk their educational careers to step up and voice their opinions about all of the testing being given in our schools today. I have always believed you have to advocate for your children. I do that constantly. If […]
Posted inFine Arts, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Based on a True Story: A Critical Look at Teachers in Movies
I remember having a romanticized view of teaching while I was in college. Though I can attribute some of this to a few overly idealistic professors, I mostly blame the movies. It was probably one week into student teaching when I came to the painful realization that I did not have the ability to magically […]
Posted inOpinion
Adopting a State Legislator for a Day: Teachers Get Political
Teachers don’t often consider themselves to be in a political profession. If they are active in their union, they may take interest when their contract is bargained with their district. Teachers are usually fairly well-informed when they decide to vote. But beyond this basic civic participation, educators’ focus usually remains steadfast on their student’s well-being […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Opinion, Parents, Social Studies
The Lesson I Taught My Son About the Observance of Dr. King's Birthday
Being a teacher is both a curse and a blessing to my 12 year old son. On one hand I can help him with his homework, but on the other hand I tend to stress about things that other parents sometimes do not. Take for instance the observance of Dr. King ‘s birthday on today […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Current Events in Education, Featured, High School, Opinion, Uncategorized
Charter School Diaries: The Sex Conversation- Episode 1
In an effort to help new teachers and to give a glimpse of what happens in the classroom, we are going to highlight one teacher’s experiences in a charter school. Recently, the Philadelphia School District has decided to provide many of its schools with condom dispensers due to what they call an epidemic. An impetus […]
Posted inOpinion, Teacher Branding, The Unemployed Teacher
New Directions: An Unemployed Teacher Looks at the Future and Creates a New Personal Brand
I spent most of the first year after my layoff just wanting to go back. Back to the job I had so passionately loved. Back to the routine that was so familiar. Back to the students with whom I felt so at home with. Back to the career that had been moving along at a […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Middle School, Opinion
In Education I Matter (And So Do You)
Second semester, I believe, is the worst semester for teachers. Second semester is the time when we reflect upon first semester and what we did and did not accomplish. We look at what we taught and have left to teach. Second semester is the time for high absenteeism due to illness and all high stakes […]