Call backs have swept the education world and now are being used in classrooms across the U.S., if not the world. Walk down any hall and you will hear echoes of "Yes, Yes." Eager little high pitched voices eagerly call back to their teacher's voice and wait in ...
I don't know what to think about charter schools. I mean, everyone should have a choice, right? But, then don't they take away our choice. And, what about charter schools affecting my retirement? Doesn't seem fair that those newly elected into office want to rob me ...
No one is taking credit for this one, are they? In fact, the minute I say 'the entitled one' people duck their heads or turn away. No one wants to admit responsibility for creating this little whiner that insists on everything being his or her way. In all honesty no one wants to be around this little jewel either. Awwww... the life of the misunderstood entitled child. The world is against them. No one understands ...
Veteran. Seasoned. Experienced. All synonyms for teachers who have been around a block or two. Seasoned makes me feel like a fry so I'll just stick with veteran. We all seem to have some things in common. Or at least we can identify with similar things. Things from the good ...
When tragedy strikes in the education community it affects all of us. No matter where we live in relation to the incident it belongs to us. News stories of shootings and disasters bring a pause with a shiver of dread. We all hold our breath for just a second or two and touch our hearts thinking of the children. It doesn't matter if we've never seen the child or know the teachers or even if we've ever been to the city. ...
If there is one thing I've learned in my years in education it is the difference between middle school teachers and elementary teachers. While elementary teachers tend to be soft and nurturing, middle school teachers are sarcastic. Before you get your feathers ruffled, my middle ...
"The day I stop learning is the day that I won't let the door hit me on the way out." Those were my words to a principal not so many years ago. We were having a conversation about retirement and how would you know when to retire and those who should, but just couldn't let ...
Times have changed. There is no doubt about that. Back in the day (my day) I wouldn't have dreamed of disobeying an adult or talking back to them. Okay. I did. Once. Notice that? Once. Being a mouthy teenager got nipped in the bud pretty quickly. My parents showed me that ...
Are your students engaged? Do they really hang on every word you say and follow your directions to the last detail? Probably not so much. Student engagement is so much more than capturing their attention and holding it. Engagement is the level that they are involved. Engagement ...
I feel like I woke up in a new world where respect has disappeared. Whatever happened to courtesy or politeness? I like having a man hold open a door for me. Doesn't make me feel like a weak, little woman. Not one bit. Makes me feel appreciated and ...respected. And, if I ...
You want support? Buy a girdle. Okay, so maybe I'm a little over the top, but haven't we all felt like the only support we have is in our undergarments??? I mean, do you feel like no one wants to accept responsibility or be held accountable? Why is everyone running ...
I'm mean. I stay up way past your bedtime, and mine, just thinking of lessons that I know will bore you. Or lessons so hard that you get frustrated. It is always a plus if I can come up with a lesson that is, not only difficult and boring, but also educationally a waste ...
There are things in the real world that are allowed, and in some cases even acceptable. But, let a teacher pull one of these stunts and suddenly everyone decides that the practice is deplorable. Take for instance returning phone calls. Recently, I called to make a doctor's ...
We have all been through CCSS and state standards and learning goals and GLEs. We've been through numerous training sessions and, even more, new implementation plans. We've sat and listening to 'experts' telling us how to implement the set of learning standards we are currently ...
I'm a dinosaur. A relic. Born in the wrong era (just keep me in a century where there is air-conditioning and running water). And, I've been told that my educational thoughts are often just as outdated as some of the clothing in my closet. As I look around and see various ...
A school is not just a building. It is a community within a community. A finely tuned machine. A home away from home. A place of nurturing and growth. A nursery of learning. I could go on and on, but you get the point. Schools are not just teachers and kids, although kids ...
