This is a cross-post from EdGator.com Several recent headlines have to do with the just-released MetLife Survey of the American Teacher. Reformers like Eduwonk are desperately trying to dissemble that the survey doesn’t hint strongly at the hostility of reform policies that are making tons of teachers love their jobs less and less. (Value-added ratings […]
Principals’ Corner
Principals.
Posted inLegal, Principals' Corner, Uncategorized
Protecting the Protectors: Limited Liability from Students’ Lawsuits
Teachers have responsibilities beyond the act of just teaching. They must participate in professional development sessions, instruct students using a variety of research-based strategies, and maintain up-to-date student records. One of the most important teacher responsibilities is to maintain a welcoming and safe learning environment. In many teacher evaluation instruments, a teacher is assessed on […]
Posted inMiddle School, Principals' Corner, Teacher Branding, Uncategorized
A Teacher Who Took a Leap of Faith: Megan Mottley, Publisher of DIVINE Magazine
As the culmination of our month long articles about teacher branding, we want to highlight educators who decided to use their skills in the classroom to literally build their own brands. Today we are highlighting Ms. Megan Mottley, Publisher of DIVINE Magazine. 1.  Give us some backgrounds of your experiences in education. I’m a former 8th Grade […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion, Principals' Corner, Uncategorized
Use Your Holiday Break to Get Political
This summer at my first PSEA Summer Leadership Conference (our union getaway in Gettysburg, PA), I heard what was probably the most interesting speech in years. The president of Student PSEA, a college senior about to begin her student-teaching that fall, talked about politics and education. She said that, while in high school leading up […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education, Opinion, Principals' Corner, Uncategorized
Part 1: Is Teaching a Low-Status Profession?
By: Eva Carafa What does the fight over Creationism, the ongoing skirmishes in Class Warfare, and Rush Limbaugh’s rants against Sandra Fluke and the GOP War on Women have to do with teachers, who find themselves fighting for their professional lives? Over the next few weeks, I’ll take a look at all these societal forces […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Opinion, Principals' Corner
It’s Not Always the Teacher’s Fault
If I had a dollar for every person who blamed a teacher when something went wrong in a classroom,school,  or district I’d be rich. Rich enough to retire -on the spot. The trend of blaming teachers has gotten worse since we are in the “day and age” where test scores are released to the public  via […]
Posted inOpinion, Principals' Corner
When Teachers Feel Appreciated, Schools Thrive
Last week, I had to reapply for my job as a classroom teacher (along with hundreds of other educators) despite me having stellar job reviews and even after recently being voted Teacher of the Year at my school.  No, I did not get caught up in some school level scandal but instead, the district cited “budgetary […]