We’re about 2 weeks out to the end of the 2019-2020 school year, and the end of the semester feels so different this year. Teachers know the bittersweet moment of saying goodbye to the students that we bonded with throughout the year with, while also anticipating the summer to enjoy time for ourselves & families. […]
coronavirus
Posted inCOVID-19
Dear Teachers of the Arts: The World Still Needs You
Guest Writer: Caitlin Conklin Dear Arts Teachers, At this point in time, my guess is that you’re feeling a bit discouraged by the remote learning experience we are finding ourselves in. For many of us, the magic in our content comes from true human interaction. Art is made for and with others, and, try as […]
Posted inCoronavirus
The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission’s Voucher Scheme
“The Commission recommends that states help families return to work with access to K–12 education by making existing education funding student-centered and portable.” “Hell, yes!” You can hear parents across the country yell upon reading the quote above, taken from The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission recommendation for k-12 education. For many American parents, this extended experiment […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
Teachers’ Long Goodbyes…
The internet is full of teacher’s video messages to students. Recently, the English department, at the large suburban high school where I am employed, sent out a beautiful, heartfelt, and funny greeting to our students. Despite the positive messaging, there is a deep sadness that permeates the frames, as if teachers are saying: “This has […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The New Normal: Teaching is as it Should Be
Here we go again. Many people are struggling with the new normal surrounding education and COVID-19. The kids have too much work. The teachers aren’t doing enough. It’s all busywork. Can you believe there are 5 live class meetings each week? Can you believe there is only 1 live meeting a week? How will students […]
Posted inOpinion
Education is Political and Governor DeSantis Is Playing a Dangerous Game
Guest Writer: Tamara Russell Education is political. This is an inescapable fact. Here in Florida, we are seeing a resurgence of public interest in how decisions get made around education. Let me tell you who is not getting asked about a darn thing: teachers. No one asked us if we thought it would be ‘normal’ […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Teacher, Suspended.
My classroom is now the kitchen table that I share with my eleven-year-old daughter. She is efficient in her work, completing it all before lunch and enjoying the remainder of her day. I, on the other hand, never stop. My days consist of running in place. The emails, the Facebook posts, the Remind texts, and […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Coronavirus: The Impact of School Closures
Since the coronavirus has landed in the United States difficult decisions have had to be made. One such decision whether or not to have schools remain open has caused more than half of states to close schools for at least fourteen days. Some states have even closed for the remainder of the school year. Reasons […]