A few weeks ago, I opened my email to see the date I have been waiting for since May – the date National Board would release the scores, December 1, 2018. I have been waiting for this date for two
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Star-Life-NBCT
Today is December 18, 2018. it’s NBCT balloon day in Arizona! It’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor for my son. Do these events have anything in common? I like to think they do. National Board Certification is the “gold standard”
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Applying the Principles of “Good to Great” in the Classroom
National Board score releases have come and gone and I was relieved to see the “Congratulations!” banner come across my screen. That was a sweet, sweet moment and I am thankful to all of those who helped and supported
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Caring is the Best Professional Development
Every few years I write that if you pay attention, the best professional development often comes out of nowhere, is free, and lasts only minutes – or even seconds. (You can read the earlier posts here and here.) Here are
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The Push for Computational Physics and Mathematics
Currently in physics land there is a push to merge computer science with physics. This idea is slowly starting to gather STEAM and the rewards of such a blend could have numerous benefits for everyone. So, imagine this. You
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The Other Opportunity Cost of Teaching
I came home in a serious funk, slamming the door behind me, barking at my family, huffing and puffing under the heavy weight of the stack of papers I bring home (optimistically) every evening. I sat down on my bed
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My Colonial Williamsburg Experience
This past summer I had the privilege of being awarded a scholarship to attend a seven-day teacher institute with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. As a fifth grade teacher, I can say that this summer professional development truly transformed my Social
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My Favorite Smart Technology: The Mother of All Boards
I am one of the very few teachers that actually have a Smart Board in their classroom! I am definitely grateful. This very expensive mammoth of technology is one of my most favorite tools for student engagement. Now that my
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A Holiday Wish List for ELD Equity
It’s that time of year when the child within us develops a dreamy, far-off look, and her eyes begin to gleam. Sugar plums? A Red Ryder BB gun? A new laptop? A roof rack and two kayaks? Creating a holiday
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Do Evaluations Improve Teaching?
I spend a lot of time thinking about my district’s evaluation system these days. As a first-year director of personnel, developing something new, meaningful, and usable is on my short list. After years of being evaluated by our current evaluation
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