Fine, I will admit it. I am a Millennial. Well, that’s half true. Born in 1983, I actually fall at the end of Generation X and the start of the Millennials. And after researching the qualities and characteristics of both,
Read More
Techstructional Techsanity: Health Questions and Tech Integration
I am up for breath after the first few weeks of school, and amazed at what we have accomplished in my classes in terms of implementing technology. During the past two years, I have been lucky enough to have a set
Read More
Neighborhood Knowhow: The Story of an Hour
As we climbed into the dusty school van, I wondered what the next sixty minutes held. My assistant principal jumped behind the wheel while my principal settled into the front seat as the new teachers, myself included, climbed into the
Read More
Summer Love
I love summer. I have been wanting to write about loving summer for weeks! But I have been too busy travelling with my family to Costa Rica, shuttling my kids to swim team, water polo, and football camp, reading novels,
Read More
Sticks and Stones
Recently, a colleague of mine had the honor of speaking to teenagers about the power of becoming an educator. To prepare, she posted a Facebook status asking these questions: “Why should people pursue teaching degrees? Why should people teach in public schools?”
Read More
Between the Bells
BETWEEN THE BELLS A Play by Alaina Adams A sequel to Angela Buzan’s “Before the Bell” and Donnie Dicus’ “The End of the Day” Setting: An urban public high school in Phoenix. Compilation of events between first hour and 9th
Read More
The Tale of Teacherless El
This past week included National Poetry Day. So, in honor of this little known holiday (Did you get any Poetry Day cards or gifts from friends? Me neither!) I offer you this contribution, as a follow up to my
Read More
I’m Listening
Every summer I set my intentions for the next school year. These “New Year Resolutions” help me improve and refine my practice and keeps my teaching fresh. Often times they are built based on my learning experiences, reflections, and readings
Read More
Dear New Teacher
Dear New Teacher, Welcome to the profession! You may be looking around your first classroom and thinking, “When did I become a grown up?” I was 20 years old when I was handed my first classroom keys and 24 five-year-olds.
Read MoreTeaching to the Test (or Not)
I know I have written about this topic before, the relationship between standards and standardization, instructional innovation and teaching for creativity, and standardized tests, but I am going to take another go at it, because this year I changed levels
Read More