One of the first questions I ask  dismayed teachers who are worried about  their lack of job security is, “What’s your brand? If you suddenly no longer have a job, what will you do with that brand?” Instead of proudly answering these questions with all their accolades, most teachers are awkwardly silent. They have no idea […]
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Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Uncategorized
Assessment: How to Create Learning Tasks that Lend to Better Understanding
One of the hardest parts of teaching is learning how and when to assess your students. In colleges across the country there are entire classes that teach aspiring teachers how and when to assess. However what happens after you create the assessment? How do make sure students are able to accurately complete their assessment? These […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Uncategorized
Why Do You Need Algebra?
When are we ever going to use this? Â A common statement by students in my Algebra class. Â My response to them is this… No, you are probably not going to write out a multi-step equation on a napkin and solve it to determine the cost of your dinner. Â No, you will not break out your […]
Posted inLegal, Opinion, Uncategorized
Are More Gun Control Laws Needed?
In light of the horrific tragedy that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut, it is only fitting to discuss gun control laws in our nation. Gun control laws were barely mentioned in this year’s presidential campaign. However, mass shootings have been occurring with more frequency in our country’s recent history.Columbine. Virginia Tech. Tucson. Aurora. Gun control laws […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Uncategorized
Raising Boys' Achievement Involves More Male Teachers
It’s no shock to any reader – teacher or parent – to learn that boys are not just falling behind, they’re sinking. In the middle school where I teach, of our nearly 1,100 students, roughly 80% of the special education students are male. More than 2/3 of the students failing classes are male. More than […]
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 inFrom the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Stellar Educator of the Week, Uncategorized
Our Stellar Educator for the Holidays: YOU!
Name: You! Years Teaching: Plenty of Years! Specialty: Every specialty under the sun! Congratulations to YOU, our Stellar Educator for the Holidays! This has been a particularly challenging school year so far for teachers around the country. The year started with more murmurings and condemnations of teachers as educators in Chicago and other districts tried […]
Posted inOpinion, Uncategorized
A Year Without School, Measured in… Fun!
Thanksgiving has just passed, and I’m thinking about my son’s school year so far. Around this time in traditional schools there are parent teacher conferences, 1st quarter report cards have gone out, and the choppy month before winter break begins (where it feels sometimes like there are more breaks than school days). But this year, […]