“I love it when the pretty girl crashes the party.” ~Kenny Sailors I don’t claim to know a whole lot about basketball, but I do love the sport. Whether you love it, or not or pay attention to it or not, no one can dispute that March Madness is a real phenomenon. According to experts, […]
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Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Languages
World Language: 5 Ways to get your Students Talking
It would be a rare occasion, indeed, for any of our students, if while traveling abroad, are asked to sit down and write a paragraph about themselves in Spanish, Chinese or German. It is much more plausible that they will be called upon to introduce themselves, ask for or receive directions or tell about their […]
Posted inFeatured
The Importance of Time Management to Having a Life Outside Teaching
Cross-posted at Bluff City Education During my first two years of teaching, it seemed as if I had no personal life. The demands of learning the craft required so much of my time and energy that I would often work 12 to 15 hours a day, with little energy or free time left over. I […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
8 Things Needed in Education Certification Programs
As a classroom teacher, I have had at least ten student teachers and dozens of practicum students from seven or eight universities. I have also unofficially mentored many first-year teachers by having an open door to help solve problems and answer questions. Because of this, I can say without any hesitation that not all teacher […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
Issue Project: How I Empower Students to Change the System!
I teach high school government because I want my students to become empowered, active citizens who know how to effect the change they want to see. And the best way to get them there is to have them effect change while they are still students in my classroom. Enter the Issue Project. First, each student […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Opinion
Four Things Education Can Learn From Fortune 500 Companies
The world is ever-changing. Today looks different from yesterday and the future is yet to be seen. The way we think about work has also changed over the past 20 years. Companies are offering perks to employees and rethinking motivation and productivity. Communication is open worldwide and people can Skype with friends and family […]
Posted inFeatured
Necessary Freedoms: How the Little Rock Nine Still Teach Us
Last November, I had the privilege to attend a conference of educators like myself, who work primarily with dropout recovery and dropout prevention programs. These are the students society labels “at risk,” but whom these teachers call “at-promise” students. The keynote speaker was Dr. Terrence Roberts. He is one of the Little Rock Nine, and […]
Posted inAdult Learning, Classroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum
Building Self-Esteem: The Secret Ingredient to Reaching Your Learning Disability Student
For twelve long years of school and after, he contends with a situation for which he can find no satisfactory solution. When schoolwork becomes insurmountable, the child has few alternative resources. An adult dissatisfied with his job may seek a position elsewhere or find solace outside of his work; he may even endure these difficulties […]