At the helm of the school is the principal.  In some schools, the principal is nowhere to be found or everywhere but inside of classrooms. The essential duties teachers would like the principal to make a priority seem like more of an item to check off of the principal’s list. If you ask a principal […]
educator professionalism
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
The Golden Handcuffs: When is it too late to leave a District?
There could be hundreds of different reasons why a teacher may want to teach in a new district. Maybe they aren’t getting along with their current administration, they’ve recently moved, they are looking for better pay, shorter commute, etc. Whatever the reasons are, one fact remains- once you become established in a district, it becomes […]
Posted inTeacher Leaders
“Active Monitoring” Standardized Tests Is a Joke
Most states have a guide for how educators should properly proctor a standardized test. Chief among the list of directions is teacher behavior while students are testing. Those of us proctoring tests are bound to come across the term “active monitoring” (AK-tiv * Mahn-it-ORR-ing) N. – educational jargon-ese for teachers doing nothing other than staring at their […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instructional Strategies, Opinion, Podcast
Podcast Review: Angela Watson’s Truth for Teachers
“Remember, it’s not going to be easy – it’s going to be worth it.” Blogger, consultant, and educator extraordinaire Angela Watson ends every one of her “Truth for Teachers” podcasts with this Art Williams quote – one that any educator would agree we know all to well. But the content of her podcasts do make the […]
Posted inFeatured
Essentially, I am a Teacher
I have been a dedicated teacher most of my life. It wasn’t until I was nearly 40 that I got paid to be in a classroom. I landed on my professional teaching feet in second grade room, my dream grade, at the school I wanted, with my mentor next door. It was a fantasy turned […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Uncategorized
Redefining Expertise in Education
One of the most humbling things about my seventh year teaching is realizing how much I have left to learn. I am lucky enough to work with several teachers with 10 to 20 years of experience under their belts. I am inspired by the breadth and depth of their knowledge. At the same time, I […]
Posted inFeatured, Teacher Burnout
Challenge Yourself Professionally; Avoid Teacher Burnout
The profession of teaching can sometimes be trapped by its own lore. When we started as new teachers, we all met the veterans who had been in their classrooms for 20 or 30 years, and they were held up as the examples to which we should aspire. We were all told that the goal was to get your […]
Posted inFeatured
10 Resume Tips for Teachers for Guaranteed Success
As I continue my job search, I’ve recognized the importance of writing and keeping up with a good resume. Almost every job that you apply for will request a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, and a resume gives your prospective employer a small window into your life. You do not want them to look into […]