Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! I was flipping channels on television the other evening when I came across an interviewer discussing education with two women. I stopped to listen. Two things struck me. The first was that the women she was interviewing were not educators at […]
Opinion
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Opinion
The Top 5 Things That Teachers Think (To Themselves) But Do Not Say (Out Loud)…
There are many skills that must be acquired if one is to be a truly great teacher. But what every teacher knows is the art of holding one’s tongue. How many times has something biting, vituperative, but honest, popped into our consciousness as we go about teaching our classes or partaking in teacher meetings and […]
Posted inFeatured, How to Fix Education, Opinion
10 Ways to Fix Education: #1 – Increase Planning Time
I look at the clock, and it’s the last period. The students are ready to bustle out the door, but there’s so much for me to do. It’s Friday after school, and I’m going to be in school at least another two hours. Maybe 3. I planned on accomplishing a list of things today, but […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Opinion, Parents
When We Lose a Student: Vindication, Forbidding Mourning
[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”] Mothers and fathers often say that the most difficult thing they can ever do is bury their own child. Since I have no children of my own, I’m not yet able […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Middle School, Opinion
Rethinking Discipline
My first teaching assignment was in an urban middle school, where I was fortunate enough to have several excellent colleagues as mentors. I learned to handle most classroom problems myself, reporting only major violations to administration. Here are a few techniques I used during my 30 year career. 1. Have a sense of humor. If […]
Posted inFeatured, Middle School, Opinion, Principals' Corner
7 Surefire Ways to Help Land a Middle School Job
Note: This article first appeared by the author in the book How to Be Successful in Your First Year of Teaching Middle School: Everything You Need to Know That They Don’t Teach You in School (click here to purchase it on Amazon). It is reprinted with the author’s permission. The best thing about my job is, […]
Posted inMiddle School, Opinion, Principals' Corner
Solution: Let Teachers Teach!
Guest Post By Laura Groves [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”] We’ve all heard the problems. Low scores. Too much testing. Parenting (or lack thereof). But what about solutions? We know there are lots of educational reforms […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
It Is Time for Educators & Education Policy to Support Gay Rights
[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”] Teachers – over the years, you’ve met someone who was gay. Sometimes they’re your neighbor. Sometimes they’re your student. Sometimes they’re your colleague. Sometimes they’re open about it and sometimes they’re […]