One lesson that I think all educators across the valley can agree with is that it is critical for us to stay informed and involved in our legislative process. I think we also learned that in order to do this,
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The Power of Student Led Parent-Teacher Conferences, Part One
A few years ago, after reading research about student reflections and goal setting, myself and a few teachers presented our findings to our administrator and proposed the idea of incorporating student-led conferences to our typical parent-teacher conference time. The number
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Burnout Calculus
Last summer I wrote a satirical piece about the teacher shortage crisis, wherein high profile comedy tours resorted to the same pale budgetary excuses that are used in education (—the only thing that was not satire in that story: the
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Teacher Leader? Yes, You Are
As much as we throw around the term teacher leader in education today, I think the term can feel mystical. How does a teacher know s/he has become a teacher leader? Is there a special ceremony? A secret handshake? When
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Changing the Status Quo: Supporting Millennial Teachers
In a previous post, I made a shocking admission: I am a millennial. This jaw-dropping information may cause some to gasp or even stop reading, but I am proud of my generational status. However recently, my millennial-pride caused me to
Read MoreA Lack of Professional and Public Concern Over the AZMerit Scores
Not too long ago, my wife and I went searching for a music school to provide our three children with music lessons for piano, guitar, and violin. After a week of meeting with instructors and schools within a 30-mile radius,
Read MoreMemorization is NOT a Four Letter Word
The start of a new academic year had materialized, and I decided to start it off right. I asked myself “What is something that will make a big positive impact in my class right away?” The answer came quicker than I thought it
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Stack Em Deep, Teach Em Cheap
Ask a parent a simple question; would you like your kid in a class with 25 kids or 37 kids? I think we all know the answer. Parents want more individual attention for their child, doesn’t everyone? Class size
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Administrators: Be The Support We Need
Deep breath in. The beginning of a school year feels like a fresh morning in the mountains: new energy, new students, new staff members. Everyone is busy, but there is hopefulness. It reminds me of standing on the porch watching
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