Recently, North Bergen High School in New Jersey put on a production of Alien: The Play. The show was clearly beautifully done, with the students building massive and accurate sets and costumes out of nothing but recycled materials. The show was a big hit and brought in a good deal of money for the previously-fundless drama […]
Opinion
Posted inAsk a Teacher
This is Why Teachers Quit
Looking for a message about your value as an educator? Well then, an over-the-top active shooter drill is a perfect addition to the “reasons why teachers quit” list. Teachers know there are better ways to save lives. Subjecting children, schools, and teachers to the sick, sad theater of these drills is just one more trauma […]
Posted inFeatured
Three Life Lessons for Young Americans on Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s 86th Birthday
Happy 86th Birthday to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Justice Ginsburg stands at the intersection of American culture because of the power of her journey, the enormity of her achievements, and the undeniably quintessential American character she exudes. However, pop culture often rides the fast lane towards trivialization. She has become, of course, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teachers Pay Teachers-The Fast Food of Education
At first glance, Teachers Pay Teachers, a monetized lesson plan site, appears to be a win-win offering. There are lesson plans and educational materials marketed by vendors (teachers) who make a small profit on the sale. The first win is for the teachers selling the plans. Many teachers could use the extra income from selling […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Preparing Students For Teacher Absences
I was gone two days this week because my fiancé had back surgery. Two. Whole. Days. This may not seem like much to most, but I teach special education with some very routine-oriented students and this was a huge whammy in their little lives. I know we want our classrooms to become autonomous and for […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education
Respect in the Classroom: Earned, Not Expected
There was a sub for one of my paras a couple of weeks ago and she set up shop in my classroom. We went through the day as usual, with her thoroughly enjoying her role after being out of the classroom for the past few years. At the end of the day, as I was […]
Posted inFeatured
Jealousy has been my Teacher
by: Jessie Fuller I am a jealous person. You wouldn’t know it upon early or even prolonged interaction. Closet envier may be the better description. I veil it rather expertly, kind of like the same way I hide the chocolate chip bag in the vegetable crisper – stealthy, I know. The slope that I slide […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Opinion: If You Can’t Say “Black Lives Matter” Then You Can’t Use Any Quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Secondly, let us keep the issues where they are. The issue is injustice. […] Now we’ve got to keep attention on that. That’s always the problem with a little violence. You know what happened the other day, and the press dealt only with the window breaking. (15.1–2, 4–6) This is a quote from the last […]