As teachers, we instinctively look for those teachable moments in the classroom. You know them – those moments when suddenly space and time open up to reveal an opportunity to take what is at hand and turn it into a way to delve more deeply into whatever subject we are teaching. Exercising this habit outside […]
teachers
Posted inFeatured, Opinion, The Unemployed Teacher
The Unemployed Teacher: Why Do We Become Teachers?
This is my second school year (and 16th month) without a permanent teaching position. Like thousands of other out-of-work teachers, I spend many hours a week looking and applying for jobs. The world of unemployment is filled with extremely relentless efforts that produce very regular rejections. Sometimes you hit a job opening at just the […]
Posted inOpinion, The Unemployed Teacher
The Journey of An Unemployed Teacher: A Shock to the System!
I mentioned last week that there have been over 350,000 teaching job losses since 2009. Usually the story of education job cuts stops there. But what really happens once the decision to cut is made? Every state in the union has districts that have experienced a massive shock to their system through a Reduction […]
Posted inElementary School, From the Front Lines
When Teachers Leave the Profession: Is It Time to Make a Change?
By: Lynette Walters  Ok!! So you’re fed up! You just can’t take anymore! Your season has ended, you’re bored with the job or no longer feel challenged, the kids are too difficult, or you just need a change….Whatever the reason, whatever the rhyme, you’re ready to leave teaching and do something different.  It’s time to […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Middle School, Opinion, The Unemployed Teacher
The Unemployed Teacher: A School Year Begins…Without Us
I took it for granted. I took for granted that once I found my passion and had seven years experience under my belt with it, I was safe. My passion is teaching Social Studies – I especially love Civics and Sociology, but have taught everything from Global Studies to US History. I had developed and […]
Posted inElementary School
How Students Lose when Teachers Become the Enemy
Watch any recent education report and you will see a matter-of-fact statement about the cause of the problems in America’s schools—bad teachers. There was even a movie with the same name (it was funny). Furthering this notion of “bad teachers” are people like Michelle Rhee, and Bill Gates and you will think that every problem […]
Posted inClassroom Management, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
5 Things Every Teacher Needs to Know About Common Core
Every time  teachers are bombarded by a new instruction initiative by our principal, district office or state leaders it’s generally meet with an eye roll, a deep sigh accompanied by us muttering,”I’m already doing this in my classroom.”  Then we continue to do what we’ve always done–teach to the standards of our state. Teachers are […]
Posted inParents
Parent's Corner: Teachers Need Our Help!
As a parent, it’s easy to get frustrated with the system that educates our children. We all know that there is no money in the state to properly fund what we parents  need and want for their education. The burden then falls on the teachers to try to make up the difference in the best way […]