When I was pursuing my master’s in education, I spent a great deal of time examining the philosophies of various critical theorists. Vygotsky, Piaget, Freire, Montessori, Gardner, Pestalozzi and a whole host of other big educational names became part of my courses of study. Knowing these philosophers and their perspectives even helped me pass Florida’s […]
classroom
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines
Losing Sleep Over Charlotte… Danielson, That Is.
It was my first year back to public school. I had spent so many years in alternative ed, special ed, charter and private schools, and I thought this might be my road to retirement. Until I met Charlotte. Actually, I didn’t so much meet her as I was hit over the head by her Framework […]
Posted inUncategorized
Imposter Syndrome Among High School Students
For the sake of this article, we will call him Jarvis. Jarvis is a current junior at a math/science magnet high school in Georgia where he has the second-highest GPA in the entire building. Not his grade. The building. Out of 2,275 students, there is the only person who has a higher GPA than he […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
Why Teaching Is the “Most Liberal Job in America”
This column is written as a complement to the column “Why Some Teachers are Conservative,” by fellow TER writer Jeremy Adams. When the Harrisburg Patriot-News and Washington Post declared teaching the “most liberal job in America,” one would be hard-pressed to find a reader overcome with shock and surprise. In fact, maybe this has become […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
Why Teaching Is the "Most Liberal Job in America"
This column is written as a complement to the column “Why Some Teachers are Conservative,” by fellow TER writer Jeremy Adams. When the Harrisburg Patriot-News and Washington Post declared teaching the “most liberal job in America,” one would be hard-pressed to find a reader overcome with shock and surprise. In fact, maybe this has become […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Instructional Strategies
Talking About Brussels (and Ankara, Lahore…) With 3rd Graders
Wednesday morning as our daily morning meeting came to an end, one of my students raised her hand. A quiet, thoughtful girl, she wanted to know if our class would be doing something in response to the terrorist attacks in Brussels. In the winter after the Paris attacks, we had put together a “peace party” […]
Posted inAdult Learning, Child Development, Classroom Management, Confessions of a Teacher, Current Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Middle School, Opinion, Parents, Professional Development, School Improvement, Special Education
The Mental State of Teaching
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” – William James Is anyone else climbing into this boat and dropping anchor? I know I am. My life has been turned upside down since January with personal struggles, professional struggles and just day-to-day struggles that seem to be heavier than […]
Posted inElementary School, English Language Learners, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Uncategorized
Seeking the Truth in Mexico City
Just a few days ago I found myself in Castillo de Chapultepec, on top of a large hill in Mexico City. The castle was formerly a military academy, presidential and imperial residence, and is now the site of the Museo Nacional de Historia (The National History Museum). I had come to Mexico City to escape […]