“I mean even though I taught all of the standards last semester, but I don’t feel like my kids learned anything!” These were the words one of the teachers who I support as an Instructional Coach said to me as we sat in her classroom after school discussed all things teaching and learning. This wasn’t […]
classroom
Posted inEducational Apps, High School, Instructional Strategies, Technology
Outdated Practices With Google Docs
It is a relief to find a few digital tools that continuously serve learners despite the accelerated nature of change in technology. Google Docs allows me to meet the varied needs and writing levels of almost all students. It gives me wings, allowing me to reach past classroom walls and time constraints, to converse and edit […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Cultural Sensitivity – Being Tolerant, Teaching Tolerance
The highest result of education is tolerance. — Helen Keller As the demographics of the United States continues to change over the next several decades it becomes exceedingly important for teachers to become culturally sensitive to their students. Knowing the cultural backgrounds of your students will make communicating with parents easier. It will also make […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, Kindergarten, Opinion, Parents
Food For Thought: Breakfast and Student Success
I’m an anomaly. I couldn’t even tell you the last time I missed breakfast. Sure, at 5’11” and 200 lbs, you can say that I haven’t missed many meals lately. However, there is an important educational circumstance that I was placed in to learn just how important breakfast was to student success – and one […]
Posted inCommon Core, Current Events in Education, From the Front Lines
The Best Teaching Happens in the “Worst” Schools
By Jennifer Orr “That’s a good school.” I’ve heard people say that many times. If the speaker’s child attends the school in question, it’s possible they have many reasons for such an assertion. If not, chances are good they are basing the statement on test scores. Test scores are certainly one way to determine the […]
Posted inElementary School, English Language Learners, Literacy, Professional Development, Uncategorized
Teaching Reading: No Magic Wand Required
Teaching children to read seems to be a mystery to everyone except primary school teachers. Someone recently asked: Is it true that it is not necessarily a teacher’s job to teach children to read? Is our job to give them the skills to make them better readers? Does any teacher have the time to teach […]
Posted inSpecial Education
Our Dirty Secret: Teachers Have Feelings
I’m going to say something controversial. If you have children reading over your shoulder or a perhaps even a sensitive grandma looking on, I’m giving you fair warning. The content of this post might just rock someone’s world, because it’s akin to saying Santa Claus doesn’t exist. Did you clear the room yet? Okay. So, now […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Opinion
Flipped Learning: What My Students Have Taught Me
One of the most important aspects of teaching is that you will never stop learning. I knew I would go to professional development, department meetings, and even back to school. What I didn’t know was how much I would learn from my incredible kids. 1. They may not be great at your content, but they […]