Everyone feels the thrill of the beginning of the school year. We know the anticipation of December and the strange drag that happens in April. Why are there no days off in April? But the real change of school happens
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Inhale Through Your Nose
Inhale through your nose, exhale out your mouth. Breathe in, breath out has become the mantra that has become the backbone of my everyday life. It seems easy right, most days we breathe without even thinking about it.
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Rising From the Ashes
The room is abuzz with National Board candidates and coaches conversing quietly on a Saturday morning. The date is January 25, 2020, and today is my first Coaching Saturday as a coach instead of a candidate. I had been looking
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A Shot in the Arm
Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow. – Anthony J. D’Angelo Registration ✅ Accommodations booked ✅ Transportation arranged ✅ Family and Pets covered ✅ I was off to the Arizona Music Educators’ annual
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The “Goldilocks” Zone
Have you ever quit something after your first time experiencing it because it was either too simple or too challenging? I have, multiple times. In my personal life, the Rubik’s cube immediately comes to mind. Several years ago, I remember
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Teacher Recruitment: Begin Within
It’s hard to believe, but the time is almost here. Teacher contracts come out next month. Leadership teams across districts are having meetings and discussions about which teachers plan to return. With cautious optimism, they discuss the teachers they really
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“When I grow up…”
“When I grow up, I want to be a __________”. This is one of the earliest conversations I have with my students and the one I hear them talk about with the most ease. It would feel negligent to
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Not all teachers want to be an administrator
I’m unsure if it’s because I’ve been in the classroom for 17 years or if I’ve made the choice to take on leadership roles, but I am often asked, “When are you going to become an administrator?” I always laugh.
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NBCT, Now What?
I truly did not want to log into my account last month to see my National Board scores; I was far too nervous. My boyfriend made me hit that button (with my eyes closed) and his quick, completely spoiler free
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I Don’t Like My Shadow
I shamed a student once. She was kind, high performing, never got in trouble, participated positively in class activities, and had a good sense of humor. She started to ask something in what I thought was a sarcastic tone, and as
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