I looked back at some of my old blog posts from two or three years ago and I was struck by the sense that I am no longer focussed on advocacy. Or at least that’s how it first appeared. I
Read MoreWant Creativity? Scrap the Tests.
Despite the stereotype that teachers spend the last few weeks showing movies, I find the opposite to be true at my school. As I walk through the hallways on my prep period, I see classes bursting with creative energy. Out
Read MoreDoes This Impact Learning?
I have a reputation on campus as the “fun teacher” or the “loose teacher” or the rebel who doesn’t follow rules. I find this odd because my class is pretty quiet. There’s usually a gentle buzz while the students work.
Read MoreWhere Are the Teacher Voices?
Last week, a group of connected educators met with the U.S. Department of Education in Washington D.C. I looked at the picture of the people standing around the table and noticed that there was not a single public school K-12
Read MoreAre We Telling the Smaller Stories?
Yesterday, I went to Facebook and noticed a trend. Many of my teacher friends were vocal in their criticisms of their child’s teachers. I saw posts like, “Can you believe the ridiculous homework packet he gets?” and “My son said
Read MoreActually, It Is the Money
I’m in a higher paying district in Phoenix. I know of teachers who are making $4,000 less a year than me. Unlike my own children’s school district, my district is not considering a four day work week. I realize that, to
Read MoreInjustice Isn’t a Game
At first, I thought it was a joke. I thought it was something The Onion had put together showing how ridiculous the “they can learn it through a simulation” mindset had become. It was an article about a slavery simulation
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Confessions of a Forty-Hour-a-Week Teacher
I was excited about going back to school on Monday. I know, I know. This flies in the face of all the Facebook posts and memes about wanting just one more day of vacation. However, I was ready to be back.
Read MorePlease Quit Taking Kids Out of Electives to Do Reading Intervention
I get it. Reading scores are low in my district. And it’s not just the scores. Kids are struggling to read. They’re struggling to answer questions based upon what they read. They’re struggling to think critically about what they read.
Read MoreArne Duncan Isn’t the Enemy
Earlier this week, I had a chance to give a short speech at the White House ConnectEd to the Future Summit. It was a surreal experience to get a chance to meet President Obama and Secretary Duncan in person. I was
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