I’m a traditional public school teacher (and union rep), and I support school choice. As a right-leaning independent with a high concentration of libertarianism running through my veins, I default to political positions that tilt the balance of power toward
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This is Our World
This past fall our district passed an override adding 50 new teaching positions and upgrading technology. This was a great victory for our community and schools. It showed a partnership, commitment and trust had been built and a promise moving
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Saving Time in IEP Meetings
As a special education teacher, I’m constantly on the look out for time savers that help me accomplish my massive workload in less time. There are so many things to do in special education! (Regular ed teachers, I know you’ve
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Voucher bills, teacher pay, and making sure the poor stay poor….
We just created a system in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Keep these numbers in mind: $5000 for more families to spend on private schools and $180 as a raise for teachers. A universal expansion
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The Magic of the National Board Process: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
My friends tease me about my stash of office supplies that I constantly carry, sticky notes raining in my wake as I walk and highlighters filling every pocket. My house looks like Mission Control as binders bristling with sticky flags
Read MoreIt’s Cursive! It’s Cursive!
A bombshell study published this week by a team of meta-researchers who reviewed the data on everything by everybody ever studied in education, suggests that the answer to field’s woes is much more simplistic than ever imagined. The culprit? Cursive.
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Lights, Camera, Take-Action: Valuing Teachers throughout the Year
As I sort through my endless number of email messages, I am reminded that this is the time of year when most school districts will have a special end-of-year ceremony to honor their teachers. My district has an award ceremony
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When the Batteries Die
My Swedish grandmother had an important role in my childhood, and when I think of her or see her picture, I am flooded with a lot of fond memories. One of my favorite memories was when she would bounce me
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The Varsity Letterman
Is this the end of the 3 sport athlete? Recently I was at a track meet and got chance to sit down with the coaches from a rival school. Being at schools with similar demographics we share a lot in
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Testing Mr. Dicus
As the majority of Americans are gearing up for baseball season, teachers are girding their loins for a less fun pastime; testing season. Testing season means walls must be covered so students can no longer use reminders around to room
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