If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s the power a single year could have on the world. The year 1865 is no exception, especially April of 1865. That’s where host Lindsay Graham (who is not the sitting South Carolina Senator) drops us into the storyline, right after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and Vice President Andrew Johnson’s […]
Opinion
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
The 5 Stages of Grief Pandemic Style
This morning I attended a virtual conference on Teacher Self Care presented by the Educator’s Room. First of all, this was so nice to be connected with like-minded people and not feel isolated for a change. During one session presented by Caitlin Mehra on emotions. It was here I had my own “Aha” moment regarding […]
Posted inBack to School
The Importance of Feedback in Distance Learning
Who would have thought that we would be in the middle of a pandemic, and education would change so drastically in a matter of months? It has been a wild ride, at least for me. In our district, we are in a hybrid learning model. Our students come every other day to class and then […]
Posted inOpinion
The Power of Language: Presidential Debate Edition
I try to teach my students that language has power. There are many unfortunate classroom moments when teenagers colloquially use words they shouldn’t. Often, after saying something derogatory, students will immediately look at me and explain. “Oh, I don’t mean it like that” or “It’s just a joke.” Most of the time, I do know […]
Posted innews
Was it a Debate or a Debacle: My Seventh Grade Students Could Have Done Better
Man oh man, if you did not watch the first Presidential debate, you’ve probably read the morning headlines or morning tweets regarding it by now. I believe the funniest tweet I’ve read suggested having Andy Cohen, of the Real Housewives shows, moderate instead. Whoever said that made a good point. Honestly, throw a middle school […]
Posted inOpinion
In Defense of Not Always Being Engaging: A Teacher’s Perspective
Teachers are constantly told today to “be engaging!” That incredibly vague buzzword is laced with pressure and expectations that many teachers find overwhelming. We are shown videos of the perfect teacher giving the perfect lesson – you know the type: there’s an expressive and passionate overdressed educator floating around the room, the kids are wide-eyed […]
Posted inMental Health
Why Grieve For Someone Who Do Not Know: A Teacher’s Edition
After a long day of online tutoring, I took a brain break and began skimming my Twitter feed mindlessly. Tweet after tweet flooded the screen posts announcing the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman, the amazing actor who brought to life Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, and my favorite – T’Challa -The Black Panther. I sat there […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Teachers are Once Again Being Targeted by the Highest Office
It wasn’t enough that teachers were encouraged to go back to their classrooms during the height of the pandemic. It wasn’t enough that we were deemed essential workers to further a political agenda. And it wasn’t enough that our Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos, pushed schools to reopen while continuing to provide absolutely zero leadership […]