In this series, #36weeksoftech, I will review tech tools in my classroom. Â I will give you my honest opinion and some pros and cons through the eyes of an experienced teacher. Â This is my 21st year in the classroom, and I teach all subject areas. Â Using technology can be a way to increase engagement and […]
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Posted inChild Development
You Can Teach Children Living in Poverty
Right after you begin your daily class starter, Johnny comes into class late and doesn’t have his supplies. He looks despondent. Next thing you know, he’s thrown his books on the floor and put his hoodie on over his head. What do you do? Consider this:Â Does Johnny come from a house where he has his […]
Posted inUncategorized
Mini Thought Bubble on Performance Assessments
I recently returned from the Deeper Learning conference for educators in California with my mind imploding from an abundance of ideas.  The three-day conference hosted at High Tech High in San Diego presented a broad exploration of equity framed in student experiences that shape education today and tomorrow. Usually, my conference euphoria ends up like a dusty book on […]
Posted inFeatured, High School
Embracing Change: A Teacher’s Journey Across The Desk
When I began at my school in the fall of 2010, change was already in the pipeline. The school was in its fourth year, growing at breakneck speed, and poised to continue to change for the foreseeable future. I was brought on to teach most of our upper grade history courses. This included classes from […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Staying Student-Centered in a World Gone Mad over Technology
Guest Writer:By: Eliana Lipsky I am a teacher coach, professional developer, and school consultant for a few Jewish day schools in the Chicago area. I’m also a former classroom teacher who left to get my doctorate in education. I recently attended a one-day conference here with over three hundred fellow educators representing over five Chicagoland […]
Posted inFeatured, Instructional Strategies
Thank You In Advance: The Power of Expectation
One of our counselors recently came in to speak to each of my block classes about an upcoming mentoring program in which they were about to be involved. As she spoke, she kept saying things like, “I know this may be new, but I thank you in advance for cooperating and giving it a chance. Thank you […]
Posted inFeatured, Teacher Burnout
Challenge Yourself Professionally; Avoid Teacher Burnout
The profession of teaching can sometimes be trapped by its own lore. When we started as new teachers, we all met the veterans who had been in their classrooms for 20 or 30 years, and they were held up as the examples to which we should aspire. We were all told that the goal was to get your […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, How to Fix Education, Professional Development
It is Not Easy to be a Change Agent in Education
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Albert Einstein [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”] I will say it: it is difficult to be […]