Jen Robinson, Author at STORIES FROM SCHOOL AZ

The Roller Coaster Part 2

June 26, 2012Jen Robinson Education, Teacher Leadership

So I had a decision to make: Stay where I was as an instructional coach? Pursue other opportunities in the district to acquire administrative skills? Or re-apply for the principal position? Re-apply. Click, click, click, the roller coaster begins the

The Roller Coaster

June 11, 2012Jen Robinson Education, Teacher Leadership

I am not a throw your hands in the air, eyes wide-open roller coaster rider. I am more of a “death” grip on the safety bar, feet wedged to the floor, eyes closed kind of rider. Earlier this spring my

Where The Wild Things Are

May 24, 2012Jen Robinson Education, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Literacy

This blog is dedicated to Maurice Sendak and teachers everywhere who are bringing their school year to a close. Where The Wild Things Are reminds me of teaching. You might be wondering, how? Every year we get students like Max

Fish is Fish

May 9, 2012Jen Robinson Books, Education

Over the past 18 years I have been a teacher, an instructional coach, a mentor and a student. This year I had a unique opportunity to look at teaching through a different lens. I began to examine education through the

The Bucket List

April 24, 2012Jen Robinson Books, Education

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Wow, that sounds extremely corny, so I’ll explain. Four years ago, in the spring of 2008 I was accepted into Arizona State University’s doctoral program in leadership and innovation.

The Test

March 26, 2012Jen Robinson Assessment, Education, Education Policy

Last week I took my state test for principal certification. I felt my coursework over the past several years and my experience as an instructional coach prepared me. I had spent several weeks before the test reviewing the study guide

Learning Happens Before and After Lunch

February 15, 2012Jen Robinson Books, Education, Life in the Classroom

Typically around this time of the year I pull out my old, tattered and torn, Charles Schultz books: Happiness is a Warm Puppy Love is Walking Hand in Hand When I was in the classroom it was fun to read

The Road Not Taken

February 7, 2012Jen Robinson Education, National Board Certification, Teacher Leadership

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the

Student Input?

January 17, 2012Jen Robinson Education Policy, Teacher Leadership

New teacher evaluations: Do they truly evaluate what matters? Our district, like many others across the state and the nation is facing the challenge of evaluating teachers on their classroom teaching practice, as well as, student achievement. As I observe

What Inspires You?

December 13, 2011Jen Robinson Uncategorized

A few days ago I was having dinner with two friends. As we prepared for an upcoming presentation a simple question was raised: What has inspired you this year? I am inspired by the teachers I work with every day.