Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Social Studies

The Case For Learning Through Experience

[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”] In 1938, education theorist John Dewey published a short volume entitled Experience and Education. In typical Dewey fashion, he begins by arguing the philosophical underpinnings of what makes experiences so valuable. […]

Posted inCharter Schools, High School, Middle School

The Masses, the Multitude and the Disciples (Charter School Diaries #23)

Week 6/10 – 6/14 [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”] One of the things that I really enjoy about teaching is the opportunity to work with young people, specifically the 17 and 18 year old students. These […]

Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Parents, Special Education

Misunderstood: A Mother’s Plea to Educators About Asperger’s (Part Two)

In part one of this series, I shared my story as a mother to a son with Asperger’s Syndrome and my “wish list” for educators who work with such students.   Although I am a teacher, my training in working with Asperger’s children was on the job experience, as my now almost twenty-year-old son has struggled his […]

Posted inBook Review, Featured

Authentic Evaluations Will Improve our Profession – A Book Review

Teacher Evaluation That Makes a Difference: A New Model for Teacher Growth and Student Achievement By: Robert J. Marzano and Michael D. Toth Published by ASCD, 2013   [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”] In the last […]

Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Middle School, Principals' Corner

Know More, Grow More – 20 Ways to Make the Most of Your Summer

[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”] One June 7th, all the students in my class and at my school cleaned out their lockers, shed a few tears, glued big smiles on their faces, and loaded on the […]

Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School

Life After High School – Former Students Tell Their Stories

[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”] One of the greatest pleasures a teacher enjoys is a conversation or correspondence from a former student.  As a high school teacher, I loved watching my students mature from intimidated freshmen […]

Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines

Part 4: How I Created a Professional Development Program and Lived to Tell About It

[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”] My own experiences have taught me that follow-up and follow through on professional development is lacking.  I have witnessed numerous programs, initiatives, projects that were implemented and “died on the vine” […]

Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Middle School

Part 3: How I Created a Professional Development Program and Lived to Tell About It

[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”] I have previously shared how I had developed an action plan and emphasized using volunteers for the professional development.  Because I have worked in this district for my entire teaching career […]