Two years ago I wrote my very first blog for Stories From School AZ. It was a blog about change titled Change: Ready or Not Here it Comes. Up to that point, August of 2019 held more professional changes than
Read More
Puns & Peace of Mind
This summer, I saw my life unfold on the silver screen — yes, my life has been adapted into a feature film. The flattering part of it was that when it came to casting, the executives at Disney spared no
Read More
The Number Ten
The number ten is significant to me this year. Ten is the number of years my husband and I have been together. Ten is the number of fingers on your hand and toes on your feet. Ten is the birthday
Read More
Kindergarten 2021: Ready, Set, Go!
Kindergarten 2021: Ready, Set, Go! It happens every year. This is my 22nd year of teaching and it still happens to me! The week before school starts, I begin to get anxious. I need to get my classroom ready, my
Read More
Year 35 or Year 1?
Sunday, August 8, 2021, 6:35 AM Tomorrow, Year 35 as a classroom teacher begins with a big change in my professional context. For the first time since Ronald Reagan was president and the Bangles walked like Egyptians (you’ve got watch this), I’ll
Read More
Making Professional Development Relevant: My Experience With Inquiry Based PD
I certified as a National Board Certified Teacher in 2018. Part of the power behind the National Board Certification process is the completely individualized professional development. As teachers work toward achieving certification, the instructional emphasis is laser focused on their
Read More
Self-Regulation for Gifted Students
The development of self-regulation is a key outcome of student participation in a Montessori environment. The furniture, materials, student access and manipulation of the environment, and the teacher herself are intentionally prepared for the child in efforts to support full
Read More
Ready To Weather The Storm
Tropical Storm ‘Tuition’ may be about to clear up. And for many, that’s a relief, a sign of a better future, the dawn of a new day in education. The support for free tuition has increased in popularity over the
Read More
Thank You Retirees
Last week, my district honored our retirees. As I listened to each of their accomplishments and accolades, I couldn’t help but worry about the loss of so many years of experience, wisdom, and knowledge. As the program went on, I
Read MoreGood-Bye Arizona
This might be the most challenging blog post I have written to date, for I am moving on at the end of this year. I am leaving the safety-net of the connections I have made, and the projects I have
Read More