We’ve all experienced it… The grouchy cafeteria worker, the angry bus driver, and even the scary teacher. It’s a sad truth that most of us adults can probably remember an encounter with an unpleasant and unfriendly teacher or school worker
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Seven Words
The bond between a teacher and her students runs deep. Students treasure their teacher, every piece of her presence. They prize her quirks, her expectations, her hugs, and her voice. Students believe in their teachers. Other adults may be flawed,
Read MoreCat Got Your Tongue
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit around a table with a group of educators. As usual I really didn’t say much. I have often felt as though what I had to say was irrelevant or my choice of words
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Losing Hope
This year presents many challenges for educators. Budget cuts have left our district asking teachers to do more with less. Teachers are covering two and three duties each day. Some teachers barely have time to eat their lunch because their
Read MoreEven If It’s Hard
After reading Teacher in a Strange Land's recent blog, I felt compelled to reflect on lessons learned from contributing to Stories from School as a female blogger. Reading through the "Boys Town" comments, David Cohen's question grabbed my attention. "What can
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Long Overdue
Here’s to the best of the best: talent that we don’t deserve, but that our children do.
Read MoreTeacher Thoughts on the Start of a New Year
I "Happy New Year-ed" a group of teachers at my niece's elementary school last week. It slipped – those near started laughing, repeating the phrase "Happy New Year. Hahahaha." I like a new beginning. It is filled with the hopes
Read MoreWhat Do Teachers and Jersey Shore Have in Common?
One exhausted night at the end of May 2011, I got sucked into a Jersey Shore marathon and began to wonder if teachers could “GTL” like the overly-tanned and overly-paid reality show MTV characters. According to the oh-so-charming Mike “The
Read MoreThat’s Not My Job!
Four different people said that to me on Friday when I returned to my classroom after summer break and it got me thinking, "What exactly is my job?" When I came into my classroom after the break, I knew that
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