My school district completed four days of first class professional development that began with a visit from Dave Burgess, the author of Teach Like a Pirate and ended with faculty-led collaborative committees organizing for an accreditation visit from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). In four short days, the veteran teachers adjusted, organized classrooms, and prepared […]
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Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum
The Write Professional Development
Now that school has ended, I have the time to reflect on how well writing on my own blog or contributing to other blogs has served as my own professional development for the past 36 months. In writing or responding to a post, I have tried to find links that support or refute a position. I […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion, Principals' Corner, School Improvement
Educational Reform: It is Time for Real Change
[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”] As I get older, I see the value in the adage, “There is wisdom in numbers.” I catch myself more often than not running ideas and proposals by colleagues and friends […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Uncategorized
Letterman’s Top Ten Tribute to Teachers Needs More than Teach for America
[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”] Tributes for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week are appreciated coming just as the school year comes to a close, when very tired teachers are looking back to see student progress over the past […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
Great Teachers Are Content Area Experts WITH Skills
Tuesday nights are #edchat nights on Twitter, and educators across the country, even across the globe, discuss topics of general interest for an hour. On May 7, the topic posted was: What is BIG Shift in ed that everyone is looking for? Is there 1 idea that can positively affect education? While I was surfing the column […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum
Being a Waitress Was Real Teacher Training
One of my first jobs was as a waitress. The job was physically demanding. The variety of customers meant that no one day was like any other day. There were usually three “waves” during mealtimes. The hourly rate was a little below minimum wage, but there were tips. My job now is to teach. The […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, From the Front Lines, Principals' Corner
Hold that Intercom! Interruptions are Educationally Costly
The crackle of the speaker..and then the voice. Twenty-six ninth grade brains stop working on the task at hand. They wait for the name. “Jane Doe report to the office.” The 26 ninth grade students either: A. dismiss the announcement entirely and try to get back to work; B. snicker quietly to themselves because they […]
Posted inLegal, New Teacher Bootcamp, Uncategorized
Teacher Tenure- An Ancient Policy Or Is It Still Needed?
Teacher tenure is a part of the educational fabric of every state in the United States. It is a form of job security that prevents teachers from being terminated without “just cause.” Despite having noble beginnings, teacher tenure has come under increasing scrutiny from educational reformists and politicians. The main argument against statutory job security […]