Today, I’d like to share my thoughts on sharing – specifically, sharing the materials I create as a teacher, and how that could and should be done. In this day and age of instant access, this issue is something that I am very conflicted about, and I’m really curious to see how others feel. Is… Continue reading Teaching in the sharing economy
“The Sun will rise and set regardless. What we choose to do with the light while it’s here is up to us.” – Alexandra Elle I try my darnedest to make the most of the 45 minutes of “light” I am given to divide among 25 or so students every day. But sometimes, unannounced interruptions… Continue reading The importance of timing
When there was no more room for error Tuesday night, I cried. I cried for myself and my guilt and my future but mostly for my children. The results of the election we held at our school were overwhelmingly in favor of Hillary Clinton, and my classes had been no exception, so I knew that… Continue reading How I’m dealing with election fallout as a classroom teacher
I would imagine that all jobs entail a series of “unwritten rules” and additional understandings and protocol not listed in the contract. I’m here to respond to complaints that I hear all too frequently from teachers who have already accepted their positions — as both a counter position and a word of caution to those… Continue reading Fault versus responsibility
There’s a growing trend to want to treat schools as businesses – from pay-for-performance evaluations and ratings systems to the redesign and restructuring of districts and central offices, teachers are the line or office workers, and principals and superintendents are the bosses and CEOs. Before this goes any further, I want to point out a… Continue reading 3 reasons we can’t treat schools as businesses
I don’t have a cogent commentary put together yet, but I felt the desire, need, and responsibility to post something, to respond somehow. Here it goes. My heart is breaking for my city right now. It’s breaking for my kids that I will get next month that I haven’t even met yet. This is no… Continue reading A teacher’s thoughts on the violence in #Dallas
“Why am I here?” Yes, I ask myself that question while standing in front of my kids. But more often, I ask myself that question at 8:00 p.m. in an otherwise empty copy room. I ask myself that question at 8:00 a.m. at a Starbucks…on a Saturday. I ask myself that question as I get… Continue reading #FTK: For The Kids
“I am much more in favor of a college education than a college degree.” – study desk in my college library Disclaimer: I say this as someone coming from a place of great privilege. I went to college for the education, not for the degree. I know that not everyone has that luxury. But after… Continue reading College for all?
I want to do some research. I’m no sociologist, so I’m not sure how best to go about this. Oh, and I’m a teacher, so I work approximately 60 hours per week, give or take a few. During student dismissal procedures after school the other day, we had not one, not two, but three fights.… Continue reading Research proposal
I had a unique experience last night: I dreamed a lesson plan. It wasn’t perfect. In fact, it turns out that, while I thought I was adding on some reflection questions to an activity I’d already planned for today, these reflection questions that I dreamed were on a different subject. Still, they were GOOD questions:… Continue reading Lesson planning in my sleep (literally)
Beyond the Bubble Sheet 