Jessica Fitzpatrick is a high school librarian in Houston and is in her eighth year of education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Houston and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of North Texas. She is the 2020 TLA Branding Award Winner for Community […]
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Posted inAsk a Teacher
The Virtual High School Teaching Experience: I Teach to Dots
Guest Writer: Leann Wnuk Ed.S. Leann is currently a high school Special Education teacher with over 10 years of experience in multiple states and grade levels. I have an Ed.S. in Special Education, an M.S. in Special Education, and a B.A. in Middle Grades Language Arts and Social Studies. I show up to the computer, […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
Are Teachers of Color Valued in School Districts?
“I hope I can show The Outsiders movie virtually through zoom this year!” Teacher A remarked at the meeting. “I know, that is the highlight of our kids’ year; they absolutely love reading this book and watching the movie,” Teacher B replied. My two colleagues (white females) discussed a book read by our middle […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
You Don’t Hate Teaching, You Hate Your School
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! In other industries, when someone hates their job they think “it’s time to move on from my company.” The first thought at that point is not “I need to get out of [this career].” But for teachers, when they […]
Posted inOpinion
The Case for Ending the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Guest Writer: Maya El-Darzi Maya El-Darzi has a bachelor’s degree in both political science and history, as well as a master’s degree in history and teaching. Maya currently teaches World and US History at a local high school. Security guards, cameras, and inflexible discipline codes – these elements constitute the zero-tolerance behavioral policy schools have […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
School Reopenings: Let’s Risk it All or Not At All
The speculation from politicians, colleagues, parents, and relatives about schools reopening is exhausting. No one with authority seems to have a plan and no procedures are standardized. I am sick of politicians like Florida’s governor, Rick DeSantis, comparing going to Walmart and Home Depot for twenty minutes once a month to educating hundreds of children […]
Posted inPrincipals' Corner
Principals, Here’s What You Need to Do If You’re Being Forced to Reopen Your School Building
Reopening Schools during COVID19 COVID19 continues to change what was once healthy and safe. Infection numbers continue to grow along with the hope for a vaccine. Meanwhile, the question of the day is should we reopen schools despite the statistics. Some say yes, and others say no to reopening. Then you hear barking orders, “Open […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Everybody Has Lost Their Damn Mind Around the Reopening of Schools
As a teacher, I am expected in less than 16 days to leave my children at home and risk my life to teach high school math to a group of 150+ smiling (and sometimes snarky) 15 year-olds. I’m expected to accommodate students throughout the day in small groups, all while continually assessing their areas of […]