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 […]
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Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy
The Biggest "No-No" in Reading Instruction
What was your reading instruction like in grade school? If you are anything like me, you remember participating in these lengthy oral readings of the weekly text where each student read a paragraph aloud.  Most of the time, you went in order – straight down the row, a method commonly referred to as the Round […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy
The Reading Paradigm: Equity Does Not Mean Equal in Reading Instruction
One of the qualities of an effective teacher is to be fair and equitable. But what does that really mean? How can you be fair and equitable to every single student in your classroom? As a child, I’m sure if your sibling got a scoop of ice cream, you wanted a scoop of ice cream. […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, New Teacher Bootcamp, Uncategorized
Pulling Back the Curtain: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the World’s Most Noble Profession
By Eric Pederson Teaching. A special blend of dedication, innovation, and passion with a healthy dose of thick skin is needed to succeed in what many consider to be the noblest profession of all. With the fate of so many young children hanging in the balance, it would seem an obvious decision to prepare our […]
Posted inClassroom Management, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
5 Things Every Teacher Needs to Know About Common Core
Every time  teachers are bombarded by a new instruction initiative by our principal, district office or state leaders it’s generally meet with an eye roll, a deep sigh accompanied by us muttering,”I’m already doing this in my classroom.”  Then we continue to do what we’ve always done–teach to the standards of our state. Teachers are […]
Posted inUncategorized
The Data Game
By: Brittany Clark On my very first day with Memphis City Schools I was told that I would be teaching all but the 20Â honors English Ten students at my school and their Gateway scores rested on me. I was informed that if all of those students did not pass the Gateway Language Arts exam then […]
Posted inOpinion
Consistency is Key: 4 Tips to Ensure a Successful Learning Environment
I clearly recall being paddled in front of my entire 3rd grade class. I was an excellent student who always followed the rules, so [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”] Why/how could such a punishment be inflicted […]
Posted inParents
Parent's Corner: Teachers Need Our Help!
As a parent, it’s easy to get frustrated with the system that educates our children. We all know that there is no money in the state to properly fund what we parents  need and want for their education. The burden then falls on the teachers to try to make up the difference in the best way […]