We’ve seen this late-night skit too many times before: young Americans being asked simple questions about American history, United States civics, or current events. The people who are captured on camera are usually dumb-founded or give answers that make the audience and/or the questioner laugh (or cry). I used to think it had to be […]
Opinion
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Opinion
Why Teachers MUST FIGHT Kim, Katy, & Kanye
We’ve seen this late-night skit too many times before: young Americans being asked simple questions about American history, United States civics, or current events. The people who are captured on camera are usually dumb-founded or give answers that make the audience and/or the questioner laugh (or cry). I used to think it had to be […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Opinion
Stop Censoring Our Classrooms
A staple of democratic society is the ability to civilly converse with those of like and unlike mind. At least, that’s the idea. These days politicians on both sides of the aisle rarely agree on anything, and their communication style is anything but civil. Viewpoints are dismissed with prejudice, and compromise is unattainable. While there […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, High School, Opinion
Why is He in my Class? Dealing with Difficult Students
We all have difficult students and some are more difficult than others. I have never shied away from a challenging student. I have my “projects” than I am determined to save, even they don’t want to be saved because I believe every child deserves someone who believes in him or her. I am proud to […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
Teacher Expertise: You Have the Time & You Have a Say Outside the Classroom
I don’t know how your state is treating educators these days, but in my state, coming from my state legislature, education is constantly under attack. Education is the current hot button and there are bills discussed and passed daily to undermine all I do. Common Core, AP classes, character education, teacher tenure, and teacher due process are […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Opinion, Parents, Uncategorized
It's Time Teachers Curb Homework
Yesterday, my wife came home with her laptop bag. Again. And it’s not her fault. After working another 9-hour day, that wasn’t enough. She had to put in a bit more time to finish off a few projects so that they were ready for the clients in the morning. My wife doesn’t regularly do this […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Flexibility- How Much is Too Much?
One of the most important lessons, one learns as a teacher is the importance of flexibility. Many things occur in a school setting that are beyond our control. Picture days, fire alarms, safety drills, and computer issues are a few of the events that happen in our schools so as a teacher, and one has […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Opinion, Teacher Burnout, Uncategorized
Teacher Burnout: A Series of Fresh Starts
I hate finals. There. I said it. I really and truly hate finals. I’m pretty sure it’s my least favorite time as a teacher. Two weeks before the end of each semester, all real teaching stops, and students move into review, prep and panic mode. They stress over facts not mentioned since September and scramble […]