One thing that I intentionally make a part of our class culture is student ownership of our environment. In a time when children’s contributions are minimized, the classroom is one place where they can expect to have something to offer.
Read More
Finding Myself During a New School Year
I’m proud to be a teacher. I love impacting lives and inspiring others to love learning just as much as I do. However, it can be dangerous to have your entire identity only in teaching and forget the other parts
Read More
Returning to School After Uvalde
This July marked the beginning of my 14th year teaching in Arizona. Born and raised in this state, it’s my 27th start of school in Arizona public schools. After a really hard 2021-2022 school year—staffing shortages, battles over curriculum, the
Read More
We Started at the End…Now We’re Here ( Part 1)
Our Last Day = Our First Day (the big setup) It was going to be a short week and we were all grateful! After returning to school full time with COVID restrictions and limitations, we were all ready for summer
Read More365 Days of Me, Part 2
In “365 Days of Me, Part 1″, I shared my plan to reconnect with myself over the next 365 days. So far, my plan includes a healthy body and a healthy spirit. Here is the rest of what I will
Read More365 Days of Me, Part 1
This year has been INCREDIBLE!!! My school went back to in person instruction after 18 months online. I took over an Upper Elementary mixed-age class of drama-starved preteens from a retired teacher. There was a lot that went into preparing
Read More
Normalization? Deviation?
With all of the praise and acceptance that many give to Dr. Montessori and her theories, there are two that cause several to find offense and cringe when they are heard: her theories of normalization and deviation. Yet, when one
Read More
It’s Your Time
Me: I’ll have the breakfast special. Server: how would you like your eggs? Me: scrambled Server: bacon, ham, sausage, or turkey sausage? Me: bacon, very crisp. Server: white, wheat, rye, sourdough, English Muffin, or blueberry muffin? Me: ooooh, blueberry muffin.
Read More
Begin with the End in Mind
As I push forward and try to recreate or maintain levels of stability for myself, my family, and my class, I paused to observe if I was still on track with my students to help them develop into the ultimate goal
Read More