Today is a snow day at my school, and I’m happy about that because I like to think and write. I love my job, and I love being around kids, but a snow day gives me a chance to stop and wonder. There isn’t enough time for wondering when you’re working, unless you’re better at […]
education reform
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Uncategorized
Diane Ravitch Defends Teachers on the Daily Show
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Diane Ravitch was a guest of Jon Stewart on the October 30 Daily Show. She appeared for a ten minute interview to discuss her new book, Reign of Error: the Hoax […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Interviews, Uncategorized
Teachers Who Won't Be Silent Anymore: Lauren Hopson – Pt. 2
This is Part 2 of an interview with Lauren Hopson, known around the Internet as the “Tired Teacher.” Hopson’s five-plus minute speech to the Knox County, Tennessee Board of Education has been shared all around social media among teachers and their supporters, and at last check had over 80,000 YouTube views. See Part 1 of […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
Eliminate Extra Credit!
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] “Mr. Miller, is there any extra credit I can do?” I hear this question at least once a week. At. Least. Once. A. Week. Despite the fact that I spend the […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured
"Reform" Is Not a Dirty Word; Neither is "Union"
Last week I attended the 2013 National Summit on Education Reform. This is the nationwide conference put on by Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education. It was a rather last minute, unexpected opportunity, as I wouldn’t normally find myself amongst 850 state legislators, corporate curriculum companies, and all manner of other “reformers.” So it […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Dying To Be Taught: No end to our Culture of Violence
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] December 14, 2012 is a date most teachers will never forget. This is the date of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary where 20 students and 6 teachers were shot in […]
Posted inFeatured, School Improvement, Special Education
October Is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] On October 11, 1985, our then President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5385 making the month National Learning Disabilities Month. We have come a long way, yet we still have so far […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Elementary School, From the Front Lines, Kindergarten, Uncategorized
Open House: OMG! (Tips for Parents)
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] September is Open House Month, and the welcoming speech from a teacher could sound like this: “Welcome, Parents! Let me show you how to access my website on the SMARTboard where you […]