This week, I found my blue box back on my door step. It is now the third time this box has been on my door step. For those of you who don't know, the blue box is what you have
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Memo From The System
Welcome to your first day of school; it is obvious you are excited to be here and to learn about the vast world around you. I hope you revel in the wonder of this morning and enjoy meeting your well-intentioned teachers.
I want to take a moment to warn you, however, that such enthusiasm will be short-lived.
First Question
The impasse has been resolved. New York reached an agreement on teacher evaluations. Thankfully, it was a result of Governor Cuomo’s resolve to create his own way of measuring teacher work if a resolution was not reached. The power
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Learning Happens Before and After Lunch
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
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The Road Not Taken
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
Read MoreI am not a star!
At least not in the literal sense. Some days I do feel like a rock star or an all-star and maybe even a superstar. But a star is something that I can count on every night to shine in the
Read MoreChanging of the Guard
My district is currently in the search for a new superintendant. Our beloved superintendant is retiring this summer. (Thank you, Dr. Balentine, for your years of service! Your leadership has been incredibly inspiring especially through these very trying last few
Read MoreStudent Input?
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
Read MoreExactly What Does it Take?
What does it take to be an effective teacher? I have been asking that since I attended a teacher of the year lunch in November. I watched as businesses in my state recognized quality teachers. I was very honored to be
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Groundhog Day? Try Platoon.
Those same critics will tell us to downsize and run our schools like a business. But businesses recoup their losses to stay viable and profitable. Perhaps we should be allowed to charge baggage fees? One backpack? Free. A backpack and a lunch box? I’ll need your credit card number.
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