Junior year in high school is considered the most difficult year for a variety of reasons. Here are reasons why and ways to help your 11th grader not only survive their junior year, but also feel accomplished. 1. Coursework. Junior year curriculum is difficult. American Literature, American History, Chemistry, and Algebra II are the core […]
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Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Opinion, School Improvement
Why July is the BEST MONTH to be a Teacher (It’s Not What You Think!)
Oh July! How I love thee! The previous school year is in the rear-view mirror and thankfully getting smaller by the day. The next school year feels far off and gleefully removed; after all, a school year only becomes real when it has long enough tentacles to plant the birth pangs of stress in my […]
Posted inESOL, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Professional Development, Uncategorized
Advice For ESOL Teachers: Professional Development with "Speaking In Tongues"
The 2009 documentary Speaking In Tongues is a fascinating look at three bilingual programs in the San Francisco area school system. The film itself depicts the effects of learning and losing language for a variety of families over several generations. Although the film is six years old, the issues it raises are definitely still […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School, How to Fix Education, Literacy, Uncategorized
Job Insecurity in Education
I have been teaching in a district that I love for twelve years, following two years doing long-term substituting and my student teaching. It was my first choice for where I wanted to get a contract. At the time, the high school I taught in was small enough that I easily knew all the kids in […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Middle School
What I Fear For my Students
We live a great nation. A nation where you can be whatever you want to be. I preach the American Dream in my classroom, I have to because I am an American Literature teacher. I love and believe in this country, but we are a country with problems. I teach at a poor, rural school […]
Posted inUncategorized
The Art of Teaching
Is teaching a science, a system, an art, or all of these? There are many pundits who will say it is a system and anyone who follows it can teach. As a former student of mine would say, “BZZZZZZ! Wrong answer!” A whabam system is only as good as the person who applies it and […]
Posted inUncategorized
Elementary Educators Can (and Should!) Celebrate LGBT Pride Month
June isn’t just the last month of school for many of us. It is also Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. While teachers know teaching about diverse histories, cultures and identities should never be relegated to one month, I still welcome Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, Women’s History Month and Asian and Pacific […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Uncategorized
A Letter To Educator's Friends & Family
Dear Spouse, Child, Parent, Grandparent, Family Member, Friend, and / or Neighbor, I wanted to thank you. Thank you for allowing us to borrow this awesome member of our community. They have a difficult job. They know that. I know that. I’m sure they’ve told you about it. The challenges. The frustrations. The students. The […]