It’s amazing how many non-teacher Americans get angry, frustrated, and even downright rude about a teacher’s summer. When June comes around, so follows resentment. The vitriol is then repeated in late August when students report back to school. But here’s the thing – these people need to channel their criticisms towards producing a greater cultural shift. […]
Summer break
5 Reasons Summer School Is Better Than Regular School
My first exposure to Summer School teaching was the acting performance of Mark Harmon (as Mr. Shoop) in the 1987 Carl Reiner comedy, Summer School. It might not have been an Oscar-caliber performance, but it has stuck with me for the better part of my life. I wasn’t even a teenager the first time I […]
Three Months Off; The New Math
[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’m not a math teacher, I’m an English teacher, and I admit it: math and I have never been good friends. Â But we do speak occasionally, and that’s why I’ve never […]
Teaching and the Off-Season
This post originally appeared May 23rd on Teacher Pop: [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 my favorite things about fall is following the Green Bay Packers. The season always begins on a high note, but ends […]
Unschooling: When There is No End to the School Year
This time of year is filled with so many conflicting feelings for teachers. Â I remember my time in the classroom as I faced June: elation, anxiousness, constant review of what needed to get done, finalizing grades and projects, planning for next year, thinking about the summer… Â The end of the school year is a huge […]
Summer Break: A Chance to Rejuvenate You!
Summer break  is a great time for teachers to take care of themselves. For many, this can mean starting a new regimen to improve your health, lose weight, or just get in better physical and mental condition. Just as I have written here before, exercise can help your mental abilities, as well as your body. Right now, […]