[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”] I love Girl Scout cookies. I really thinking I have an addiction, but I really love them all. They all have amazing characteristics. We all have our favorites and crave each […]
Opinion
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, Kindergarten, Opinion, Parents
Food For Thought: Breakfast and Student Success
I’m an anomaly. I couldn’t even tell you the last time I missed breakfast. Sure, at 5’11” and 200 lbs, you can say that I haven’t missed many meals lately. However, there is an important educational circumstance that I was placed in to learn just how important breakfast was to student success – and one […]
Posted inCommon Core, Current Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, High School, Kindergarten, Opinion, Uncategorized
Assessing the Damage: What students should know about tests like Smarter Balanced
By Guest Writer Jessica Classen “But I’ve passed all my classes! I mean, I should be able to graduate. Will I have to go summer school? Will I not be able to walk? What happens?” The panic in his voice was clear. Adam, a bright, hard-working junior, was already terrified of the possibility of […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Opinion
Dear 'Bad Students': Prove Us Wrong
As students were prepping for a group activity, I looked across the room and gave them a friendly reminder, “Please stay on-topic until you’ve completed the assignment. No goofing around.” Immediately a student piped up, “That wasn’t directed at me now was it, Mrs. Filler?” A smug grin was spread across his face. At least […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Opinion
Flipped Learning: What My Students Have Taught Me
One of the most important aspects of teaching is that you will never stop learning. I knew I would go to professional development, department meetings, and even back to school. What I didn’t know was how much I would learn from my incredible kids. 1. They may not be great at your content, but they […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, Legal, Literacy, Opinion, Uncategorized
Teaching in Kansas: How Much More?
A teacher friend of mine was attending a conference and upon learning that she taught in the state of Kansas, someone asked her the question, “Why would you want to teach in Kansas after all that’s going on in your legislation?” My friend was taken aback by that question, and as she began to form the words to […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Opinion, Uncategorized
Standardized Testing Failure
First, a bit of history: Standardized tests began in the early 1900s as a way to determine intelligence. Those IQ tests were used to determine whether high school students should be on an academic track or a commercial track. Later they were be used by the military to determine who would be a good candidate for officer […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Opinion, Principals' Corner
Chicago Teachers Union -vs- Rahm
[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”] Last night, teachers throughout Chicago did happy dances. We were celebrating the outcome of the mayoral election where the current mayor, Rahm Emanuel, was forced into a runoff with Jesus “Chuy” […]