My favorite class to teach was (and will always be) American Literature. There’s something about teaching the sordid history of our country that gave me not only chills but opened my student’s eyes to the meaning of how literature can shape a country. In anticipation for my new group of flippant juniors who were counting down […]
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Posted inHigh School, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Social Studies
Presenting Missing Histories
How do educators balance teaching in an area of expertise while knowing that what they know might not be enough?  Media scrutiny and traditional practice of being the “sage on stage” for determining necessary content coverage for standardized tests thwarts the better practice of modeling inquiry and discovery. Teachers worried about the uniformity of content focus more […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Kindergarten, The Student Teacher Diaries
Student Teaching Diaries: Is This For a Grade?
When students enter preschool and kindergarten they are excited by learning. Â They explore and engage in activities for the sake of what is happening. Â Teachers set up experiences and lessons that develop skills and provide learning for students. Â As students progress through elementary school, however, they begin to see the association of work for “a […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Social Justice in the Urban Classroom: The Day After the #EricGarner Decision
In my younger years I yearned for a life where I did not have to worry about how I would provide for my kids. I wanted a life where I could provide a safe, stable environment for my  family and enjoy the life I saw on The Cosby Show. So I did what all kids from the […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Principals' Corner, Uncategorized
Math Through the Looking Glass
By Jeffrey Benson At staff meetings in most schools, the subject area teachers sit among their peers. They sit with ones who most understand their struggles to convey the content and skills specific to their disciplines: PE with PE, science with science, arts with arts. As a consultant to schools that work with challenging students, […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, New Teacher Bootcamp, Opinion, Parents
Give Them A Hero- Advocating for Students
My family and I spent New Year’s Eve together, which may not sound like much, except that my three kids are 19, 17 and 14. I know they could have gone with friends, but they chose to stay home and ring in 2014 with mom, dad and grandma. I was so excited that they made […]
Posted inCharter Schools, High School
Take Me Out To the Ball Game – Teaching Responsibility (Charter School Diaries #20)
Week 5/20 – 5/24 When you work with children, there is never a dull moment. I may be repeating myself, but it is a very true phrase. It is because children do some foolish things. At times, it can be funny and other times, it can be very serious. When you are dealing with high […]
Posted inCharter Schools, High School
Confrontations, Conflict & Anger Management (Charter School Diaries #15)
Week 4/15-4/19 Our lives are not without confrontations and conflict. Confrontations and conflict, although many times unpleasant, is a part of the human experience. People are dynamic and adaptive individuals; one minute we’re hot, the next we’re cold and our moods and desires shift with the way we feel physically and emotionally. Add a number […]