“If you love kids you belong in an elementary school. If you love content, you belong in a high school. And if you love a challenge, then middle school is for you.” This is a piece of advice I received
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#FirstDays Beyond the Four-Hour Block
We were asked to introduce ourselves in our blogs this week, and that feels funny, since this is the sixth (or seventh?) year I have had the opportunity to contribute to Stories from School Arizona. This will be my 25th
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Back to School – District Office Style
I was scrolling through Facebook a few weeks before school started and stopped on an image by principal and school humorist Gerry Brooks. I was dismayed. The image was that of a teacher’s nightmare, the nightmare of meetings being planned
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Summer Time!
I don’t know about the rest of you, but the screeching halt from 60-70 hour weeks to a completely open schedule can send me into a tailspin! I can usually get caught up on sleep and routine housework within 4-7
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Who Sharpens You?
As Iron Sharpens Iron, so One person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 Teachers are members of learning communities. Core Proposition 5, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. I have had the privilege of participating in multiple small communities of learning groups.
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Snap: Academic Gaps Continue for African American Youth in AZ
As mentioned in my previous articles, I have set off on an inquiry regarding the academic status of African American students in Arizona. Although I am still in the gathering process, it is time to give an update on what
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Teacher A: “I loved what I taught today; the kids were so engaged!” Teacher B: “I’m so glad you got to see today’s lesson!” Teacher C: “Did you see my new student-created periodic table?” As a beginning teacher mentor whose
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14th Annual TLI: Developing School Communities that Thrive
If you attended Teacher Leadership Institute last year, then you already know that you do not want to miss this annual AZK12 event. In 2018, this gathering of educators and stakeholders helped to ignite, motivate, and confirm many of the
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Arizona SB1318 and Dyslexia Policy
SB 1318, a bill which expands requirements for identifying students with dyslexia and training teachers to help them, has been passed in the Arizona Senate and assigned to committee in the House of Representatives. It was developed by a group
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Why Good Feedback for Students Must Start with Administrators
Schools are working harder than ever to find ways to improve the learning for their students. Schools are experimenting with technology implementation, lowering class size, even implementing mindfulness, and while each of these practices may be wonderful, there is no
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