Every person employed in public education is a civil representative of the public. It’s our job to serve the public. As a teacher, I might not agree with a parent’s decisions, but it is my duty to love that family
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How About Just One Standard?
I’ve been thinking – and the current controversy involving our state superintendent only makes it clearer to me – that we should agree on a curriculum of simply one standard. I know it sounds crazy, but hey, Jack Black
Read MoreThe Definition of Family Is Expanding
I was in my second year of teaching when a boy walked in with two older men for parent teacher conferences. "Which one is your dad?" I asked. "Both of them." "I'm so sorry," I said. I stumbled my way
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Fortunately
I first learned about the book, Fortunately by Remy Charlip in a professional development about the six traits of writing. The book begins…Fortunately he is invited to a birthday party, unfortunately the party was in Florida and he lived in
Read MoreUnfinished Thoughts
Well, I missed my second deadline in a row and can't claim to have been too busy. Truth be told, I haven't been able to string together enough complete thoughts on a single topic to hit our 600 – 800
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I Went to the Crossroads
I just returned from a road tour of the famous Blues Highway, which stretches from Memphis to New Orleans, with a mandatory stop in Clarksdale, Mississippi. The history was remarkable, the sites stunning, and the eery sense of difficult days
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Salary and the Teacherly Mystique: My 25% Raise
A year in a new position kept me on my toes, but overall my morale this year is very good. I could name five or six major factors that have increased my morale this year. Reason #1, though? Salary. I
Read MoreThe Problem with Curriculum Maps
The term “map” conjures up images of open spaces and daring adventures. At a young age, children sketch out pirate maps in search of treasures that they can barely imagine. At an older age, the map is a chance to
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Common Core and David Beckham
I know what you are thinking. In Arizona, they aren’t called the Common Core Standards, they are called the Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards (ACCRS). The name change was part of an effort to disconnect the standards from conspiracy
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