I have been teaching in a district that I love for twelve years, following two years doing long-term substituting and my student teaching. It was my first choice for where I wanted to get a contract. At the time, the high school I taught in was small enough that I easily knew all the kids in […]
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Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Literacy, Middle School, Uncategorized
Finding Narrative: A English Teacher's Struggle
In my brain lives a little monster. I know I’m not alone. We all have little monsters lurking in our skulls. They hate anything rest related and love to do things like leap up and down and shout, “DID YOU SET THE ALARM FOR 5???” …right as sleep is about to overtake you. At the […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Opinion, School Improvement, Uncategorized
HEY Presidential Candidates: Here are FIVE Things Teachers Want to Say To You
Everyday seems to bring with it a new candidate for the Presidential election of 2016. The oratory is familiar. The uttering of the redundant cliché that, “This is the most important election of our lifetimes” is almost as mandatory as the voting itself. It does not matter if you are a passionate Hillary Clinton aficionado, […]
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The Art of Teaching
Is teaching a science, a system, an art, or all of these? There are many pundits who will say it is a system and anyone who follows it can teach. As a former student of mine would say, “BZZZZZZ! Wrong answer!” A whabam system is only as good as the person who applies it and […]
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Elementary Educators Can (and Should!) Celebrate LGBT Pride Month
June isn’t just the last month of school for many of us. It is also Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. While teachers know teaching about diverse histories, cultures and identities should never be relegated to one month, I still welcome Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, Women’s History Month and Asian and Pacific […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Uncategorized
The 5 Words Your Resume Should Never Use
In today’s changing economy, finding a job is a job in and of itself. Unfortunately, it’s not one you’re getting paid for (usually), and the lack of a superior to turn to for guidance can make it difficult to know where you’re going wrong. Recent reports and surveys show that it may be your […]
Posted inSchool Improvement, Uncategorized
Summer Inspired Lessons
It’s summertime! And whether you have still have school (sorry), year round school (sorry, again) or you are home, summer is a busy time. We vacation during summer, organize our homes, even remodel a little, and more importantly, we have fun. Here are some lesson ideas that are inspired by the summer. Characters and vacation– […]
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A Letter To Educator's Friends & Family
Dear Spouse, Child, Parent, Grandparent, Family Member, Friend, and / or Neighbor, I wanted to thank you. Thank you for allowing us to borrow this awesome member of our community. They have a difficult job. They know that. I know that. I’m sure they’ve told you about it. The challenges. The frustrations. The students. The […]