I was a sixth grader when a rash of school shootings began in the United States. Between January 1995 and March 2001, 21 multi-victim shootings occurred at schools around the country. I am part of a generation of Americans who learned to be wary of their peers and their schools, who looked for the way out of the school in […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Clearly, A Conversation About Gun Control in the United States Has to Happen
[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”] In the United States it’s easier to buy a gun than to own a home. With a home purchase you have to go through months of inquiry into your financial, job […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion, The Unemployed Teacher
Courage to Teach—Touchstones
Our first meeting this school year (sometimes called Circle of Trust ®)was like a gathering of old friends. You know those friends you don’t talk with for eternity and when you see each other you pick up like no time has passed? We had lost a few members who had decided to continue the journey […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Opinion
The Gift of Giving: Sabbaticals for Teachers are Needed!
I just read an interesting blog on Surviving Teaching by Cool Cat Teacher, Vicki Davis and John Kuhn’s viral hit, The Exhaustion of the American Teacher. Teacher burnout is a perennial problem. It is impossible to survive with idealism, purpose and dignity intact amid changing mandates, recessions, and media inflamed paranoia about American public education. Public schools do not advertise or […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, Opinion, Parents
A Dream Followed: 5 Burning Questions About Running Your Own School
I have been running my own school for nine years now. As you can imagine I have had people asking me tons of questions throughout those nine years. I’ve taken those questions and compiled them into the top five that are always asked. I’m always open to answering questions about my school, how it started and what […]
Posted inOpinion, Uncategorized
Us vs.Them:Why Can’t Veteran Teachers and Teach for America Teachers Get Along?
My colleague made a very interesting comment in our meeting today. He said, “There’s a competition between veteran teachers and T.F.A teachers.” I raised my eyebrows and was intrigued by his comment. We had a T.F.A (Teach for America) teacher in the meeting with us. I’ve never viewed such a competition, but with further discussion, I understood […]
Posted inOpinion
What Teachers Should Know BEFORE Entering the Classroom
Ask any teacher the worst part of their job. Less than 5% will say ‘the kids’. Non-educators can moan and groan saying things like, “I don’t know how you do it” and “No way could I deal with bad kids all day”. You’re definitely right. YOU couldn’t deal with kids all day–so you don’t. However, […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Middle School, Opinion, Parents
Turning a Dream Into Something Tangible: Starting Your Own School- Part 2
Want to know how I started my school ? Read part I here. The first five points of starting your own school checked out: it’s legal in your state, you’re not doing it for selfish reasons, you’ve been able to secure funding, you have a ‘business plan’ and you’ve decided what age groups you would like to reach. Great- […]