As I was watching T.V. with my daughter this week, the idea of “changing the conversation” was the theme of this particular episode in a children’s show. The T.V. show focused on changing the conversation of female actors from what they
Read More
Teacher Prep & Title II
Retention, recruitment, preparation, access, and equity: all words tied to the state of education. The words transcend districts and state lines, and these words all connect to student impact. The choices being made at the very beginning of this educational
Read More
P/T Conferences: They’re the Experts
There was a quote on my mind a lot during parent-teacher conferences this year: “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” It’s been attributed to many authors. (You can check out
Read MoreImposter Syndrome or a Humility Check?
Are teacher leaders wizards or masons? The mason throws the mortar and trowels it smooth, lays the brick and taps it level. Each brick contributes incrementally to the wall, which defines the room, and room-by-room the house is built. The mason stands
Read More
Where Did All the Seesaws Go?
When I think back on my school days, my most vivid memories happened on the playground. I remember jumping off the see saw so my friend would fall to the ground. I remember climbing to the top of the jungle
Read MoreOur Glory. Our Darkness.
“You need to put more effort into your math,” directed the flustered fifth-grade teacher to the chatterbox student – who just happened to be me – and who was not chattering about math. In response to the lack of impact
Read More
Taken By Surprise
One joy of parenthood is a surprise from your children. More than once I have come home to a miraculously clean kitchen, or a “restaurant” in my honor. I love it when my kids make big plans behind closed doors.
Read MoreDo Common Core Advocates Lack Historical Context?
“The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” Winston Churchill How can the creators and advocates of the Common Core rationalize locking the profession into years more of high stakes testing, complete with the attendant bullet list of
Read MoreThe Emergency Room
I work in an emergency room. There are no doctors here, no ambulances, and rarely nurses of any kind. I am an educator that finds myself struggling to triage my students’ most basic human needs of food,
Read More