Charles Swindoll said, “Attitude is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, money, circumstances, than failures and success, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, ability or skill. It will make or break a business, a home, a friendship, an organization. The […]
testing
Posted inUncategorized
The Decision to Test
Okay, let’s get the boring, background stuff out of the way first, and fast. It’s painful but necessary. The federal government passed No Child Left Behind, commonly called NCLB, in 2002 under President Bush. The Department of Education says it passed with partisan support. The purpose of the legislation was to increase accountability for public […]
Posted inAdult Learning, Child Development, Classroom Management, Confessions of a Teacher, Current Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Middle School, Opinion, Parents, Professional Development, School Improvement, Special Education
The Mental State of Teaching
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” – William James Is anyone else climbing into this boat and dropping anchor? I know I am. My life has been turned upside down since January with personal struggles, professional struggles and just day-to-day struggles that seem to be heavier than […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Opinion, Uncategorized
There's More To a Student than Just A Number
I was so angry. How could anyone just give up on a child because of a number! Let me back up. Way back to this past summer. Bear with me. I tutor during the summer. I had a family contact me about tutoring their foster children, a soon-to-be first grader and a fifth grader. They […]
Posted inElementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
Cafe Walk: Review of Learning
In my past 20 years as an educator teaching has changed.  I love seeing the active involvement of students in their learning.  Gone are the days of lecture, record, regurgitate.  Students jump into learning and show what they know in a variety of ways.  With that, there are a variety of ways to review what has […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured
Testing, 1, 2, 3…Testing…
I think it is important to stay informed and read information about education and learning.  The only way to grow is to read about things you are not doing and things you may not agree with on the surface.  I have been following a blog on parents opting out of testing. I did not go into […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured
A True Testing Reminder
We are in the middle of testing madness. End of Year tests, AP exams, ACT & SAT results, LEAP, iLEAP, and PARCC, whatever you are going through- know that you are not alone. No one can understand the pressure of a high stakes test unless you are personally involved. The weight that is tied to […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, From the Front Lines, High School, Literacy, Uncategorized
Testing a Thousand Madelyns
My niece is a beautiful little girl. She is a beautiful girl on the outside, the kind of little girl who cannot take a bad picture. She is also beautiful on the inside. She is her mother’s helper, fiercely loyal to her older brothers, and a wonderful example for her younger brother and sisters. She […]